Session
Sustainability & Environment
Digital Technologies to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals
Existing and New Technologies as Climate Risks
Existing and New Technologies as Climate Solutions
Digital Grassroots
Bendjedid Rachad Sanoussi, Digital Grassroots, Technical Community, Africa
Hanna Pishchyk, Digital Grassroots, Civil Society, Europe
Esther Mwema, Digital Grassroots, Civil Society, Africa
Claude Sodokin, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), International organisation, Europe
Claude Sodokin, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), International organisation, Europe
Mohammad Atif Aleem, Tata Consultancy Services, Private Sector, Asia and Europe
Jaewon Son, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Technical Community, Asia and Europe
Bendjedid Rachad Sanoussi, Digital Grassroots, Technical Community, Africa
Esther Mwema, Digital Grassroots, Civil Society, Africa
Hanna Pishchyk, Digital Grassroots, Civil Society, Europe
Bendjedid Rachad Sanoussi, Digital Grassroots, Technical Community, Africa
7.1
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7.3
7.a
7.b
8.1
8.10
9.1
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9.3
9.5
12.1
12.2
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13.1
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13.a
13.b
Targets: The digital transition and the green transition are closely linked to the Sustainable Development Goals. The digital transition refers to the increasing use of information and communication technologies (ICT) to transform economies and societies. This includes aspects such as technological innovation, connectivity, digitization of processes and access to information. The digital transition can play a key role in achieving the SDGs by fostering economic development, improving access to basic services such as education and health, and enhancing citizen participation. The green transition, on the other hand, refers to the transition to an environmentally sustainable economy and society. It involves changes in production and consumption patterns, the adoption of clean energy sources, the preservation of natural resources and the fight against climate change. The green transition is closely linked to the environment-related SDGs, such as Goal 7 (clean and affordable energy), Goal 12 (sustainable consumption and production) and Goal 13 (measures to combat climate change).
In sum, the digital transition can contribute to the achievement of the SDGs by improving the efficiency, accessibility and transparency of services in areas such as health, education, agriculture and governance, while the green transition is essential to preserve ecosystems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote renewable energy and ensure the sustainability of natural resources.
Introduction to the session
The session will use several methods and activities to enable lively and inclusive participation, including:
An introductory presentation to introduce the topic and objectives of the session;
Brainstorming activities to generate ideas and solutions, the speakers share their experiences on the green digital twin transition;
Audience to give their inputs;
Q & A
The session will allow participants to:
Understand the conflicts and synergies of the green digital twin transition;
Exchange ideas and knowledge about solutions;
Explore ways to engage youth in ensuring a responsible green and digital transition;
Create a network of contacts for future collaboration.
English
The world is becoming more and more digital. Digital technologies play a key role in the development of our nations. Specifically, they contribute to more transformative climate actions by facilitating an alternative low-carbon value chain to meet basic human needs. But it is important to note that digitization has led to a phenomenal increase in natural resource consumption, and this trend will only increase. The internet may be digital, but the infrastructure that allows data to flow through it is not. Telecommunications networks consume energy. And the increase in greenhouse gas emissions is sometimes linked to the occurrence of extreme weather events, disruptions in the food supply chain, and the loss of biodiversity.
We are indeed witnessing a digital transition, but also an energy transition. This dual green and digital transition concerns the conflicts and synergies between the green transition and the digital transformation. The conflict is about reducing the environmental impact of information and communication technologies (ICT), such as data centers, telecommunication networks, and digital/electronic equipment. As for synergies, they consist of maximising benefits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, preserving biodiversity, and supporting the transition to a circular economy. Several researchers, such as Johan Rockström, Jeremy Rifkin, and Kate Raworth, have developed conceptual models to understand and act on the interactions between social and ecological systems. Furthermore, according to Bill Gates, we are on track to use more clean sources of electricity than ever before, including wind, solar, nuclear, and geothermal, which would reduce household costs, reduce pollution, and diversify our energy supply so that we are not dependent on a single energy source. With regard to the green transition, the global North must recognize its responsibility for the global processes of environmental degradation and, therefore, its responsibility to adequately address its causes and consequences from a justice perspective. Stakeholders must act in the best interest of their own and others' futures.
This session will explore the challenges of the green and digital transition, such as climate change, sustainable energy, the environment, agri-food systems, transportation, green cities, innovation and technology, and digitization. It will address the conflicts and synergies necessary for a responsible green and digital transition. Also, the session will involve highlighting existing initiatives related to greening (i.e., improving energy and material efficiency) of digital technologies as well as optimising the positive impact of digitization on the environment and climate, with a focus on collecting and managing relevant evidence, including the impact of digitization on the circular economy transition and product sustainability.
The session will lead to the proposal of solutions to estimate the net environmental impact of digital solutions based on work on scientific methods, and guidelines for green digital transformation in different sectors (energy, transport, construction, agriculture, etc.). Participants will be able to share their experience, knowledge, and expertise on how to accelerate the transition to the circular economy through digitally enabled sustainable business models to ensure a dual green and responsible digital transition.
Interactions from onsite and online speakers will be facilitated by the onsite and online moderators respectively. Equal speaking opportunities will be made available to both online and onsite attendees.
The onsite moderator will periodically check in with the online moderator to address any interactions raised by the online participants. Online participants are encouraged to contribute to the discussions using the online chat as well.