The ICT sector has a huge potential to reduce emissions across society. Digitalization and energy efficiency can reduce emissions today while saving money but for the ICT sector to reach its climate goals we need the right conditions. Transition plans that outline what is needed from other stakeholders are crucial, as we cannot reach our goals without support from customers, suppliers, and policymakers.
Transition plans are a hot topic within corporate climate action, as they are needed to describe how we are going to reach our net zero targets as a society and as companies. What does a net zero future look like, and what products do we need to achieve the sustainable development goals and stay below 1.5°C of global warming? Ericsson’s Climate Action Programme Manager, Emelie Öhlander, joined a panel from the COP28 Climate Hub in Dubai to discuss this question alongside Louise Rehbinder, Director, Exponential Roadmap Initiative; Emma Stewart, Netflix Sustainability Officer, Netflix; and Emilia Hagberg, VP Sustainability Development, Skanska.
Emelie Öhlander, Climate Action Programme Manager at Ericsson, spoke about transition plans for the ICT sector at the COP28 Climate Hub.
For a transition plan to be effective, the first step is to understand the meaning of net zero. Thankfully, a big part of the ICT sector seems to understand this, especially among the big players that have already set net zero targets. However, there is much to be done to spread this understanding to all actors globally. “Talking about the ICT industry,” added Emelie, “I think the major players here are our customers, the operators, who have really grasped the meaning of net zero.”
Customer demand is an important lever for transitioning the whole ICT sector. When operators set demands that support their net zero targets, that helps us as network providers to put pressure on ourselves and our suppliers, creating a ripple effect throughout the whole value chain.
Another important player in transforming the industry is the policymakers. For digitalization to reach its climate impact potential, investments need to be made in expanding renewable energy and developing infrastructure for digital solutions. This barrier is often overlooked, especially by governments developing their national climate plans. “If the whole ICT industry changed to renewables, 80% of our total emissions can be reduced,” said Emelie, stating that this is a daunting task, but that it’s “the biggest shift we need to do.”
The ICT industry has the potential to reduce emissions drastically, but to make sure this happens in time to achieve the 1.5°C targets we need to see investments in both implementing the existing solutions and developing more efficient ways to do things. Emelie wrapped up the panel succinctly by stating that “Innovation is really needed.”
Watch the full panel below:
https://youtu.be/vwghWtoLjsA?t=2210
About the COP28 Climate Hub
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The article itself is very educative. Thank you for taking us in this journey of digital solutions and letting readers as well as players of this ICT industry know the biggest shift we all need to do.
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So encouraging to hear that using renewable energy can lower the emissions that much 💚
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I like it when these noblewomen accentuate in investing in renewable energy as this will lead to positive result in terms of climate change!
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Great to see how Ericsson is working along the whole supply chain in the ICT industry! Always inspiring
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Digital innovations will be the channel to a world of infinite options in the climate change discourse
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Innovation is one of the keys to driving progress towards a sustainable future. We believe in you Ericsson
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@dickson_mutai And it is only logical to expect ICT companies to be at the forefront of innovation.
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Investing in renewable energy infrastructure and fostering innovation are essential for unlocking the full potential of digitalization in tackling climate change.
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The encouragement should be to ICT companies in silicon valley and beyond to adopt renewable energy techniques
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Thank you for bringing the systemic perspective, this is something that is easy to forget in a competitive business market, but it is so important to make the transition equitable and sustainable.