EU Should Collaborate with Technology Sector to Achieve Green Agenda

Many tech companies are at the forefront of commitments to reduce their carbon footprint, with ambitious plans to become more environmentally friendly. For instance, Microsoft aims to be carbon negative by 2030, while German business software giant SAP targets carbon neutrality in its own operations by 2025.

These efforts are not limited to individual companies, as signatories to the UK government's Climate Change Agreement (CCA) for data centers have exceeded their voluntary emissions targets for 2020. The focus on reducing carbon emissions in the tech sector is becoming increasingly important, with EU climate policies encouraging digital adoption to help achieve this goal.

The European Green Deal, an ambitious agenda for achieving climate neutrality for the EU by 2050, will likely include measures that will affect the IT industry. EU policies should aim to increase R&D funding for energy-efficient next-generation digital technologies and establish energy efficiency rules that are proportionate, flexible, and compatible with the targets companies of different types and sizes can achieve.

One such technology that is playing a key role in reducing carbon emissions is the smart grid. By leveraging distributed energy resources such as residential solar, wind, and hydro power sources and batteries, the smart grid gives energy users access to consumption data and pricing, enabling them to make smarter energy choices and reduce both overall demand and peak demand.

Other technologies, such as precision agriculture, are also making a significant impact. This approach to farming uses data to optimize inputs, preventing overapplication of chemicals, a key source of greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector.

In addition to these technologies, telework is another area where the tech sector can make a difference. By reducing energy consumption associated with commuting for work, telework could decrease carbon emissions by over 3 million tons a year in the UK.

The French government has launched a fact-finding mission to assess the environmental impact of the digital sector in France, while Sanna Marin, the recently elected prime minister of Finland, has set up a working group to study the impact of the IT sector on the environment.

However, it's not just about reducing carbon emissions. The Green Deal's policy proposals present an opportunity to accelerate the use of digital solutions to reduce carbon emissions, but it's important to avoid regulations that limit voluntary improvements in the tech sector. Data localization policies, for example, are not "green" and should be abandoned, as they may negatively impact emissions.

The tech sector is also playing a crucial role in other industries. German companies, especially in the automotive sector like major car manufacturers, have initiated measures to reduce their carbon footprints by investing in electrification, phasing out combustion engines by 2035, and aiming for a 55% CO2 reduction by 2030 and full carbon neutrality by 2035, in line with EU Green Deal goals. Additionally, industries such as steel, chemicals, and transport are focusing on decarbonization and expanding green hydrogen infrastructure using renewable energy sources to reach carbon neutrality targets.

E-commerce is another area where the tech sector is making a positive impact. By reducing consumer travel, often resulting in lower carbon emissions than conventional retail, e-commerce can contribute to a more sustainable future.

In conclusion, the tech sector is playing a vital role in reducing carbon emissions and achieving a more sustainable future. By focusing on energy-efficient technologies, increasing R&D funding, and avoiding regulations that limit voluntary improvements, the tech sector can continue to lead the way in reducing its carbon footprint.

EU Should Collaborate with Technology Sector to Achieve Green Agenda