Sustainable Digitization: what is it?

Do you know what Sustainable Digitalization is?

"Sustainable digitalization" is an increasingly used and promoted term worldwide as we face global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and depletion of natural resources. These challenges show us that technological and digital progress must go hand in hand with ecological progress; one cannot succeed without the other.

Thus, when we talk about sustainable digitalization, we refer to the conscious and responsible use of technology, promoting practices that respect the environment and contribute to sustainable development. It is about reducing the environmental impact of technology while using it to make other sectors more sustainable.

By using technology efficiently, we can reduce our carbon footprint. However, it is essential to ensure that technology does not consume more energy than it helps to save. Therefore, it is crucial to adopt small changes in our daily lives, such as extending the lifespan of our mobile phones, laptops, and other devices.

Digitalization in the European Union

The European Union, in alignment with the European Green Deal, has been promoting sustainable digitalization and encouraging technological innovation. In this context, new opportunities are being explored, laws updated, and measures introduced to promote digital sustainability. Among these measures are voluntary initiatives, such as the European Green Digital Coalition.

European Green Digital Coalition (EGDC)

Created in 2021 by the European Commission, the EGDC brings together technology companies, governments, and civil society organizations with the goal of using digitalization as a driver of the green transition. It currently has 37 members and 14 partners committed to the green and digital transformation of the European Union, seeking to maximize the benefits of digitalization for sustainability.

The initiative was launched by 26 CEOs of companies in the ICT sector, who signed a declaration of commitment to the EU's green and digital transformation. In that declaration, the signatories committed to act in three main areas:

1. Investment in the development and implementation of green digital solutions, energy-efficient and with responsible use of materials, in order to generate a positive net environmental impact across various sectors;

2. Creation of methods and tools to measure the net impact of green digital technologies on the environment and climate, in collaboration with NGOs and specialized organizations;

3. Co-creation of guidelines and recommendations with representatives from other sectors to promote a green digital transformation that benefits the environment, society, and the economy.

The Path to a Sustainable Future

It is essential that Europe and the world invest in digitalization aligned with the goals of the European Green Deal and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sustainable digitalization is not just desirable — it is urgent.

The European Green Digital Coalition is a concrete example of how technological innovation can go hand in hand with ecological responsibility, helping to transform the world into a better place. However, the success of this transformation depends on the ongoing commitment of governments, companies, and citizens.

Image: Juan Bautizta/Reproduction