Description:

The global environmental crisis requires drastic changes to existing models of design, production, use, disposal, and recycling of digital technology. The choice and use of digital technologies and the policies guiding their production, use and disposal, as well as the recovery of raw materials, have a huge impact on our global environmental crisis, including potentials for mitigation and adaption. This session will present circular digital economy models and stories that are environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable. In particular, the session will discuss initiatives that promote local production and use, local renewable energy sources, and adoption of circular and participatory practices for circularity in digital devices, software, internet access and services. The format of this session will include brief presentations of circular digital economy initiatives at the local, regional, and global level. Participants will then be invited to join break-out group discussions on specific issues, such as electronic waste. Each break-out group will be faciliated by a speaker or moderator of the session. The session will conclude with a roundtable discussion that includes reports back from each break-out group. Specific policy questions to be considered include: What lessons can been learned from local, regional and global initiatives that have transitioned to circular digital economy models that are environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable? What cooperative networks including all multiple stakeholders are needed? (civil society, manufacturers, consumers, governments, backmarket, eWaste, etc.) What policy and regulations are needed to accelerated transition to a circular model for ICT.