WATCH ONLINE (live and on-demand after the event)
How can the follow-up to Global Digital Compact best reflect the environmental dimension? Continuing rapid digitalization of the global economy offers significant opportunities for growth and resilience in times of cascading crises and uncertainty. Data and digital technologies can support trade, development, and sustainability, while also mitigating environmental and developmental challenges. However, it is important to also ensure that the fast-evolving digital ecosystem remains environmentally sustainable. So far, shifts towards digital and low-carbon technologies have been treated separately, despite being deeply interconnected within the broader transition of the global economy. Addressing them together is necessary for coherent policies.
The Digital Economy Report 2024 highlights the growing environmental costs of digital reliance, including in the form of resource depletion, pollution and waste. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and the Internet of things are likely to exacerbate these issues.
While making digitalization as sustainable as possible it is also essential to ensure that developing countries, lagging in digitalization and more vulnerable to early climate impacts, can catch up and fully benefit from digital opportunities. Collaborative efforts involving governments, civil society and partnerships like the Coalition for Digital Environmental Sustainability (CODES) are needed. Immediate action is needed to shape the future digital economy and its environmental footprint.
In line with this year’s UN General Assembly’s Second Committee general debate theme, Growth and Resilience in Uncertain Times, this event – co-organized by UNCTAD and UNEP – will explore ways to maximize the benefits of digitalization while addressing sustainability and inclusive development challenges. The event holds significant relevance for both the follow-up processes to the Global Digital Compact and the WSIS+20 review.
Guiding questions
- What is the environmental footprint of digitalization?
- What are the implications for developing countries?
- How can various forums and processes within the United Nations help ensure that the increased reliance on low-carbon and digital technologies are addressed holistically?
