Digital technologies for climate action

Digital technologies are reshaping how we work and tackle climate change. They help reduce emissions across industries, support greener transport systems, and improve disaster preparedness through early warning systems. As governments seek urgent and scalable solutions to the climate crisis, digital innovations play a crucial role in driving progress.
The next years are crucial for protecting our climate, and there is little time to take action. To meet the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming, we need to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030. This is a major challenge, but one that we must tackle with urgency. The good news is that digital technologies can help speed up the transition.
Digital technologies and climate action
Digital solutions can reduce global emissions by up to 20%. This is a crucial development in the fight against climate change, as digital technologies are already contributing to emission reductions in some of the world’s highest-emitting sectors: energy, materials, and mobility. Together, these sectors account for a significant portion of global emissions—34% from energy, 21% from materials, and 19% from mobility, making them prime candidates for digital innovation that could accelerate progress toward net-zero emissions. (Data: Accenture and World Economic Forum)
In the energy sector, cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and 5G networks hold immense promise. By optimizing energy production, distribution, and consumption, these technologies can help drive an 8% reduction in emissions by 2050 (World Economic Forum).AI-powered systems can improve energy efficiency, while 5G can enable smarter grids, allowing for more responsive energy systems and the integration of renewable energy sources. New technologies can help improve the efficient use of energy resources, facilitate the deployment of renewables and optimise the energy system integration while saving energy and costs for EU consumers and companies. (Digitalising the energy system - EU action plan (COM/2022/552))
Similarly, the materials sector, which accounts for a substantial share of global emissions, stands to benefit from digital applications designed to improve manufacturing processes, supply chains, and resource efficiency. Innovations like digital twins, advanced data analytics, and automation can reduce emissions by as much as 7% (World Economic Forum). These solutions allow for more precise monitoring, better resource allocation, and streamlined production that minimizes waste and energy consumption.
The mobility sector is another area where digital solutions are already making a difference. From electric vehicles (EVs) to smart transportation networks, digital technologies can reduce emissions by up to 5%. The integration of AI and IoT (Internet of Things) systems in transportation infrastructure helps optimize traffic flow, reduce congestion, and improve fuel efficiency, leading to lower emissions from both private and public transport systems.
The potential for digital technologies to reduce emissions in these high-impact sectors highlights the essential role they will play in our global transition to a sustainable, net-zero future. As these technologies continue to evolve and scale, their contribution to achieving climate goals will only grow, underscoring the need for continued investment and innovation in the digital sector.
A twin transition approach to combine digital transformation with climate action
Digitalization can support countries in their fight against climate change by providing innovative solutions and improving efficiency across various sectors, practices, and services. However, it’s important to recognize that digital technologies also have environmental costs, including the energy and resources needed to build, power, and dispose of digital infrastructure, devices, and components. A twin transition approach aims to combine digital transformation with climate action. This means ensuring that digital systems and applications are not only sustainable but also inclusive, supporting efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to climate impacts.
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