Digital technology is woven into our daily lives, offering convenience and efficiency. But does this digital revolution help or harm our climate?
(Michalina Szpyrka | Euractiv.pl)
Digitalisation and climate: Progress or environmental threat?
Digitalisation has permeated every aspect of modern life, from smart home devices to remote work and intelligent energy systems. While it presents new possibilities, it also raises concerns about its environmental footprint. Does digitalisation contribute to environmental sustainability, or does it exacerbate the environmental crisis?
Digital innovation at the service of climate
Digital technologies have the potential to significantly contribute to climate change mitigation efforts by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. According to the World Economic Forum, if widely adopted, these technologies could cut global emissions by up to 20% by 2050. This impact would be particularly significant in sectors that are major contributors to emissions, such as industry, transport, and energy.
Modern solutions enable more efficient resource management and energy optimization. With artificial intelligence and advanced data analytics, energy consumption can be monitored in real time, minimizing waste.
Key benefits of digital technologies for the climate include:
optimising energy consumption – smart grids using AI algorithms enable more efficient management of renewable energy sources, reducing dependence on fossil fuels;
reducing travel-related emissions – the popularisation of remote working and online meetings allows significant reductions in emissions from transport, both daily commuting to offices and business travel,
digital twins and intelligent production management – companies are increasingly using virtual simulations of their production processes to anticipate possible problems and reduce waste and energy consumption.
Hidden environmental costs of digitalisation
Despite its advantages, digitalisation also contributes to a growing global carbon footprint. By 2023, data centres and telecommunications networks accounted for around 1% of global energy-related emissions.
The increasing use of AI, expanding internet traffic, and rising demand for computing power are driving energy consumption even higher.
Among the biggest climate risks associated with digitalisation are:
- AI’s energy demands – Training advanced AI models consumes vast amounts of electricity. A single AI query uses 50 to 90 times more energy than a standard Google search. AI-driven servers also require intensive cooling, often consuming millions of litres of water.
- Electronic waste crisis – The rapid pace of technological advancement leads to shorter device lifespans. Frequent replacements of smartphones, laptops, and tablets contribute to rising e-waste.
- Expanding digital infrastructure – The growing popularity of streaming, blockchain, and cloud computing increases the demand for energy-intensive data centres, which are among the world’s largest electricity consumers.
How are governments and organisations responding?
The European Union acknowledges both the possibilities and challenges that come with digitalisation. To address these, the EU is implementing a dual strategy that merges digital advancement with environmental sustainability.
This approach involves prioritizing investments in clean technology, reducing the reliance on fossil fuels, and fostering innovation and sustainable growth within the European economy.
The EU is also developing regulations aimed at promoting a greener digital sector, with the goal of minimizing the carbon footprint of digital technologies and encouraging energy-efficient solutions.
What can we do as users?
While systemic change is crucial, individual actions also make a difference. Here’s how we can reduce our personal digital footprint:
- Extend device lifespan – Regular maintenance, repairs instead of replacements, and recycling old devices.
- Declutter digital storage – Deleting unnecessary emails, files, and newsletters reduces cloud storage energy use.
- Use electronics efficiently – Activate energy-saving modes, lower screen brightness, and turn off devices when not in use.
- Stream responsibly – Lower video resolution or download content instead of streaming repeatedly.
- Choose sustainable tech – Support companies that use renewable energy and eco-friendly manufacturing.
The European Climate Pact encourages citizens to take part in green initiatives. This spring alone, it aims to collect 200,000 climate-friendly actions—from reducing digital clutter to cutting back on energy-intensive internet use. Every small step contributes to a greener digital future.
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