Digital’s Environmental Footprint: Hidden Costs 

The scale of the ICT sector’s environmental impact is hard to overstate. A study presented during the webinar revealed the massive strain digital technologies put on our planet: 

• Manufacturing: More than 54% of ICT’s environmental impact comes from its production, not its use. Key contributors include televisions and computers, with TVs alone accounting for 14% of the sector’s overall footprint. 
• Material Use: ICT in Europe consumes the equivalent of 571 million metric tons of raw materials annually, weighing more than all of humanity combined. 
• Energy Consumption: As digital technologies like AI, IoT, and 5G expand, the energy demands of data centers and networks are expected to soar. 

The challenge, as highlighted by the webinar, is not just managing ICT’s existing impact but anticipating how new technologies will compound environmental pressures. 

Solutions for Sustainable ICT 

The webinar also explored solutions that could transform ICT into a more sustainable industry. Key strategies included: 

• Lifecycle Evaluation: Tools like the EU Environmental Footprint method provide a detailed way to measure a product’s environmental impact across indicators such as climate change, resource use, and water consumption. Public buyers are encouraged to prioritize products with strong lifecycle assessments. 
• Eco-Design and Repairability: 
• Minimum requirements for hardware durability, like France’s repairability and durability indexes, offer a way forward. 
• Eco-design principles can extend to software, as showcased by France’s RGESN framework for digital services. 
• Governance: Countries like France are setting the standard by mandating sustainability evaluations for ICT under laws like the REEN Act. Public procurement policies and certifications are critical tools to guide such efforts. 

The discussion also emphasized the need to counter industry trends, such as organizations reflexively adopting energy-hungry double screens or unsustainable procurement practices. Instead, rationalizing the use of ICT equipment and engaging with eco-labels and certifications can help address these issues. 

Why Does This Matter? The Role of Public Procurement 

Public buyers wield significant purchasing power, and their procurement choices can shape market trends. By prioritizing sustainable ICT, they can drive an industry-wide shift towards greener practices, reducing environmental impacts while fostering innovation in eco-friendly technologies. 

This responsibility is particularly crucial in an era where public expenditure in digitalization is rapidly rising. Over 20% of Europe’s recovery and resilience plans are devoted to digital technologies, making sustainable procurement practices an essential tool for environmental stewardship. 

Join the Movement for Sustainable ICT 

The webinar concluded with a call for collaboration and shared accountability. Upcoming initiatives, such as a January 2025 training on sustainable ICT certifications with TCO Certified, are designed to equip public buyers and industry players with the tools needed to make impactful changes. 

By aligning procurement practices with sustainability goals, we can collectively mitigate ICT’s environmental burden. The question is no longer if we need to act, but how quickly we can adopt these solutions. Will you be part of the change? 

If you'd like to join the Community on Sustainability in ICT, do not hesitate to reach out to: viviana.demonte@eurocities.eu. 

More information about the session, such as useful resources, link to the recording, and the slides from the presenters are available only for members under "Resources".