• As part of the European Green Digital Coalition (EGDC) Secretariat, DIGITAL SME is glad to announce the release of the EGDC science-based methodologies and guidelines to assess the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions enabled by ICT solutions

• This collaborative effort was validated by an Independent Advisory Board and involved key industrial actors, among them SMEs from the DIGITAL SME membership

• EGDC methodologies can empower SMEs to measure their contributions to climate neutrality, enhancing their market positioning and competitiveness.

• This is a milestone in driving sustainable digital innovation across sectors, advancing Europe’s twin transition towards climate neutrality and digital leadership

Three years after its launch in March 2021 by Commissioner Breton and the CEOs of ICT companies, such as SHIFT GmbH, the EGDC has successfully fulfilled its commitments to develop science-based methods to estimate the net environmental impact of digital solutions across sectors. These methods look at both the positive contribution and the direct footprint of real-life digital solutions.[1] They are meant for adoption by a wide range of industrial and societal actors who intend to use or evaluate ICT as a tool to improve a given environmental footprint.

To support the EGDC in this endeavour, the EU-funded European Parliament Pilot Project, led by the Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI), brought together key ICT Associations including the European DIGITAL SME Alliance, DIGITALEUROPE, ETNO, and the GSMA. These associations have collectively operated as the EGDC Secretariat, working with expert organisations the Carbon Trust, Deloitte, and Sustainable ICT for the development of methodologies. This collaborative process involved active engagement with the 37 EGDC Coalition members, 14 Supporting Partners, and the European Commission, seeking guidance from an Independent Advisory Board and aligning with standardisation bodies[2].

A framework of methods, tools, and guidelines to quantify and optimise the positive impact of digitalisation on climate

At the core of the EGDC publications lies the Net Carbon Impact Assessment Methodology for ICT Solutions, which provides requirements for a comparison of a scenario with and without ICT solutions in a given implementation context. The methodology enables the quantification of both the positive contribution and the direct footprint of a given ICT solution in CO2e. It is complemented by sector-specific methodologies that illustrate the practical application of the requirements for six key industrial sectors: energy, construction/buildings, smart cities, agriculture, transport, and manufacturing.

Real-life Case Studies, drawn from ICT solutions provided by Coalition members and stakeholders, helped refine these methodologies. These range from cloud-based tools for energy management in buildings to 5G-enabled manufacturing and agriculture, as well as smart energy and smart city platforms. Data from the case studies were utilised to develop calculators measuring the net environmental impact of these solutions, offering practical examples of the EGDC methodologies within the six key sectors. These case studies also shed light on critical considerations such as data availability and quality when applying the methodology.

In addition to methodologies, sector-specific Deployment Guidelines have been formulated to enhance sectors’ understanding of ICT solution deployment, guiding optimising their positive impact on climate and minimising negative consequences.

Driving the global transition towards a sustainable and digitally empowered future

By providing consistent and comparable methods for assessments of ICT solutions’ impact, the EGDC  empowers stakeholders globally to make informed decisions. The methodologies and guidelines can be leveraged by a broad spectrum of decision-makers, ranging from small businesses to local authorities and financial institutions, driving the development and deployment of digital solutions that can deliver a net positive impact on the climate.

Looking ahead, the EGDC is committed to promoting these methods and guidelines as well as their adoption, creating a vibrant market for digital innovation that benefits people, the environment, and the economy. In an upcoming phase, the Coalition will deepen cross-sectoral dialogue and expand support services for adoption by stakeholders across the EU economy, including SMEs, the finance sector, and public authorities.

[1] DECLARATION of the European Green Digital Coalition Members “In support of the Green and Digital Transformation of the EU” https://www.greendigitalcoalition.eu/assets/uploads/2022/02/EGDC-declaration-to-sign_v2.pdf

[2] The EGDC methodology builds upon existing standards: ITU-T L.1480 – Enabling the Net Zero transition: Assessing how the use of information and communication technology solutions impact greenhouse gas emissions of other sectors and WBCSD Guidance on Avoided Emissions