Using Tech to Drive Climate Action and Tackle E-Waste
At COP29 in Baku, leaders in technology and the environment gathered to endorse the COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Action.
The declaration, unveiled on the first-ever "Digitalisation Day" of a UN climate conference, pledges to harness digital technologies to drive climate action while addressing the environmental impact of tech manufacturing and e-waste.
The declaration, supported by over 1,000 governments, companies, civil society organizations, and stakeholders, emphasizes how digital technologies can be instrumental in meeting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
According to the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU), technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and big data are crucial for climate monitoring, early warning systems, and overall climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. For example, AI can optimize energy efficiency in data centers, helping reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.
However, while digital innovations hold immense promise, they also come with challenges. As digital services expand, so does their energy demand. Data centers and AI programs require vast amounts of energy to run continuously and stay cool, contributing to increased greenhouse gas emissions.
The rapid rise in e-waste—such as discarded electronics—is another growing concern.
These trade-offs were discussed during a high-level roundtable at COP29, where experts debated how to balance digital growth with environmental sustainability.
The COP29 Declaration calls for continued innovation to reduce the carbon footprint of digital technologies while leveraging their potential to tackle the climate crisis.
The declaration sets the stage for ongoing action, aiming to create a more sustainable digital future leading into COP30 and beyond.
Source: @UN
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