UNITED NATIONAL, OCTOBER 13 (IPS) – Much of the world is beginning to see a recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, but now they find themselves in the midst of a crisis. cost of living crisis caused by disruptions in global food and energy markets due to conflict and climate change.
This once again highlights how social and planetary imbalances reinforce each other, as well as the need for a truly inclusive and green recovery. One is the foundation for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The COVID-19 pandemic has proven that digital is no longer optional. Countries with existing digital platforms are much better equipped to meet the needs of their citizens, including through the efficient delivery of public services such as health care and welfare. social and distance education. Digital will play a similarly important role in shaping the global green recovery.
In addition to building the nation’s socioeconomic resilience, digital transformation is also proving to be an important driving factor in advancing global climate commitments. The countries supported by UNDP are Leveraging digital in creative ways to redouble their efforts in adopting renewable energy, transitioning to a circular economy, and protecting biodiversity.
Ecuador is building a digital traceability system to track land use changes and track goods through the supply chain. Papua New Guinea has tested a mobile phone app to help law enforcement quickly record and report environmental harms such as illegal logging and wildfires.
Whether it’s emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) or older digital tools like digital mobile phones can be the fundamental driver of change. It is reshaping the dynamics between the economy, government, business and civil society and is an important tool in rebalancing our economic, social and planetary priorities.
However, digital is rapidly becoming the global measure of both inclusion and exclusion. With 37% of the world’s population is still offlineThe digital divide, particularly the lack of accessible broadband, the digital skills gap, and the marginalized groups excluded from technology, have become major barriers for countries. want to take advantage of the potential opportunities of the growing digital economy.
And digital technologies themselves can limit a Green Recovery. Industry’s carbon footprint could account for about 14% of global emissions by 2040. If digital were a country, it would almost overtake the US as the second largest contributor to climate change. And this impact could get worse, with emerging technologies also contributing to increased emissions.
Digital and green recovery
Integrating sustainability in digital is central to ensuring green recovery – a technology that promotes inclusive digital access and capabilities, promotes openness and open data, and promotes innovation to increase the efficiency of digital technologies and reduce their environmental impact.
In this context, UNDP Center for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development its flagship event’Digital for green recovery‘ on the sidelines of the World Cities Summit in Singapore. The event highlighted three priorities for inclusive and green digital transformation.
First, we must put people at the center of innovation. This includes ensuring the availability of the platform’s digital infrastructure so that everyone can benefit. We must also ensure that the engineering standards and discovery of emerging technologies are ‘people-centered’, based on local needs and people’s aspirations, but also ‘environmentally-minded’. centered’.
Second, we need to strengthen cooperation between innovation ecosystems. Innovation does not happen in a vacuum. It requires a favorable ecosystem of policies and regulations, investors, incubators and promoters; and educational institutions. Digital can be a powerful driver for connecting distributed national and global innovation ecosystems in the pursuit of sustainability.
Third, data is the lifeblood of digital transformation and can be an important balancer for countries in advancing efforts towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
However, some countries lack fundamental data infrastructure, such as data centers, communication networks and energy grids. We need to accelerate data capacity building efforts to ensure that existing digital gaps do not widen.
Digital is an indispensable enabler to promote a green and inclusive recovery. But it’s really a ‘whole society’ effort.
As a platform to showcase innovation, best practices and foster partnerships, UNDP’s Center for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development will continue to convene global discussions, supporting support and engage innovation ecosystems around the world, and guide governments to capitalize on the potential offered by digital. Through driving digital experimentation, adoption and scaling, we can shape a Green Restoration that works for both people and planet.
Riad Meddeb Acting Director, UNDP Center for Technology, Innovation and Sustainability & Senior Lead Advisor on SIDS
These insights were drawn from ‘Digital for Green Recovery’ – The flagship event of the UNDP Global Center for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development, held on the sidelines of the Conference 2022 World Cities Summit in Singapore.
Source: UNDP Blog
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