The European Green Digital Coalition maximises the sustainability benefits of digitalisation within the ICT domain while supporting sustainability goals of other key sectors (energy, transport, agriculture, smart cities, manufacturing, buildings/construction).
The Coalition recognises the need for science–based methods to estimate the reduction and avoidance of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by specific ICT solutions.
Digital technologies hold the tremendous potential to accelerate the transition towards climate neutrality by allowing to save more emissions than they generate. While digital technologies have an environmental impact characterised by high energy consumption, utilisation of raw materials and resources, and the generation of waste, they can also be leveraged to enable a positive impact on the climate.
The convergence of the green and digital transitions, commonly referred to as the twin transition, presents a unique opportunity for mutual reinforcement, if managed effectively. The aim is to minimise the harmful effects that could result from ICT solutions while maximising their potential in supporting the transition to a Net Zero future.
Digital SMEs play a pivotal role in the twin transition process by spearheading the transformative power of digital technologies for the environment. SMEs help shape a more sustainable future by designing, developing, and deploying solutions that reduce carbon emissions, mitigate climate change, or enable a more circular economy.
Focus Group ICT Sustainability
Activities & Benefits in joining the Group:
– Visibility at European level
– Develop DIGITAL SME’s positions on sustainability-related policy initiatives & contribute to sustainability frameworks
– Receive exclusive information about project & policy
– Connect with other “green enablers” and demand-side companies
– Contribute to shaping the methodologies of the European Green Digital Coalition (EGDC)
Services and tools on Sustainability for SMEs
The Coalition was officially launched on Digital Day 2021 in Porto, formed by 26 CEOs of ICT companies who signed a Declaration to support the Green and Digital Transformation of the EU. By signing the declaration, companies commit to act in the following areas:
- To invest in the development and deployment of greener digital technologies and services;
- To develop methods and tools to measure the net impact of green digital technologies on the environment and climate by joining forces with NGOs and relevant expert organisations;
- To co-create with representatives of other sectors recommendations and guidelines for the green digital transformation.
Providing an ecosystem that creates and supports the configurations, methodologies, production techniques, decisions and actions at all different levels and stages of the equipment manufacturing value chain so as to achieve the goals of:
- Increase in energy efficiency;
- Decrease of raw material through to the second use of parts or material (including waste from manufacturing process);
- Customer centricity;
- On-demand manufacturing and best meet the Industry 4.0 objectives of operational excellence, while increasing efficiency, reduce waste, boost competitiveness and lower costs for manufacturers.
The unjustified Russian aggression in Ukraine has refocused international efforts on energy dependence and supply chain resilience.
The Get Digital: Go Green & Be Resilient initiative features a catalogue with innovative digital solutions. Ten selected companies will get access to two workshops focused on showcasing and facilitating the acceleration of the uptake of innovative solutions, helping the European industry become increasingly energy-independent and supply-chain resilient.
Relevant Publications
The repair and maintenance of products is a complex value chain and digital SMEs participate through all steps. To achieve a Right to Repair and support the objectives of the European Green Deal, the needs, points of view, and impacts to digital SMEs must be taken into consideration. Digital SMEs are key in providing essential software and hardware tools in the aftersales markets, effectively making the Right to Repair a reality for European consumers as well as for other small businesses.
The goal of transforming Europe into a globally competitive and climate-neutral digitalised economy rests on two pillars: the green and digital transitions. DIGITAL SME proposes to define a sustainable digital transformation along three interconnected dimensions:
- Sustainable B2B digitalisation: Building on long-term B2B relationships rather than closed “off-the-shelf” solutions which lead to dependency;
- Green(er) technologies and a circular economy: A digital sector that saves resources, increases efficiency, and allows the repairability and reuse of products;
- Innovation-enabling policy and regulation: A holistic approach to rule-making that supports innovation by emphasising software and hardware openness.
