“Sustainable digitalization”
Annual report 2018
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Themes of the annual report 2018
This digital revolution certainly opens up a lot of new business opportunities, the ultimate goal cannot simply be ‘higher, faster and further’. The decisions that we make today have direct consequences – the climate and our future society being two key areas affected. But how can we turn sustainability goals into success criteria for digitalization? Even if digital sustainability isn’t (yet) the prime concern, there’s every chance of us being able to design it with this in mind. Sustainability doesn’t have to be seen as an obstacle to business development but – as in the case of renewable energy – can offer new opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Can digitalization be sustainable?
When we talk about digitalization today, the primary focus is not on conserving resources and achieving climate goals – on sustainability, in other words. But to make the digital transformation sustainable, in addition to thinking about financial aspects we need to look at the ecological and social components. Indeed, digitalisation can lead to an increased consumption of resources, but it could also contribute to the sensible use and conservation of resources.
“Sustainability must be considered right from the outset”
Networking against poor air quality
There are many elements contributing to sustainable mobility in cities. A well-developed public transport system is as much a part of this as modern cycle routes. Digital and networked (electric) mobility can make a further contribution in enabling traffic to be more environmentally friendly while at the same time considering individual needs.
Software for keeping people safe
We put our faith in the assumption that software programs will do what they were written to do. While there is no such thing as the perfect application, we expect a certain level of quality from software-based systems. These standards are needed to minimize the risk of attacks or failure of the system itself. Additionally, software quality assurance can not only contribute to security, but also to sustainable digitalization.
Sustainable digitalization in everyday life
Digitalization already plays an important role in our daily lives, even if this is not always obvious. In this context, digitalization can make a contribution to sustainability as well. For example, smart buildings could reduce the energy required for lighting in commercial buildings by more than half.
Data flows in water management
If Lake Constance was suddenly Europe’s only source of fresh water, it would be drained within six months. Yet private households account for only a tenth of our total consumption. Most of the resource is used for industrial production and by the water industry itself. How can digitalization enable a more sustainable use of the valuable resource water?
Leveraging data for the sustainable economy
Bringing together sustainability and digital transformations
If we take the Agenda 2030 with its comprehensive sustainability goals seriously, not only must we reduce the man-made risks from the dynamics of the changing Earth system, we also have to eliminate extreme poverty and reduce the inequalities that threaten the social cohesion and stability of many societies. Prof. Dr. Dirk Messner – Director of UNU-EHS (United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security), Co-chairman of the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU) – writes in his guest article about research and the search for solutions to these social problems.
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