Digitisation and the Green Transition

Digitalisation can boost the green transition. AI and algorithms can help calculate how we can best heat our homes, produce efficiently, transport with the least possible energy consumption, and make optimal use of the IT infrastructure. 

In DIREC, we are actively building a knowledge base around how digital technology can help combat climate change. We have launched a number of projects with focus on digitisation and the green transition. The projects will help develop the underlying technology that can contribute to the green transition and provide us with new knowledge about the opportunities offered by new advanced digital technologies.  

How can digital techNologies help?

The world needs a green transition, where we must go from emissions of 51 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide to zero or perhaps even to a negative emission worldwide. Such transition requires a total adaptation of our society and in this regard digital solutions can and must play a significant role. Various reports estimate that digital solutions can contribute to at least a 15% reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.

Explore the reports and our projects below. 

Report: Digital technology and the planet

In this report from The Royal Society, an expert group has studied the potential of using digital technology to reduce emissions. The report concludes that nearly one third of UK’s carbon reduction targets by 2030 can be achieved through existing digital technologies.

Read the report
Resources: Digitalization and climate change​

This resource is a link collection of examples of how digitalization can contribute to reducing CO2 emission, energy consumption and support climate adaption.

Show examples

Data foundation for the green transition

To drive the green transition, there is a need for data that can ensure that the decisions we make will have a positive effect on the climate. An example could be to develop digital twins of cities, wind farms, factories, electricity grids or buildings, where you can simulate various measures and invest where the benefit is greatest. Satellite data and automatically collected sensor data can provide a data basis that can counteract green washing and show progress in relation to goals. A digital database will also be able guide private consumers towards the most sustainable solutions.

Explore the DIREC projects addressing this topic.

reducing Energy Use and CO2 Emissions

With digitization we can build intelligence into our products and use less energy and emit less CO2. Intelligent software has many advantages: it can ensure that our IT systems use less energy,  it can manage our data centres most efficiently and help us choose the most sustainable freight transport. It can support precision agriculture and eliminate the need for physical meetings by offering effective virtual alternatives.

Explore the DIREC projects addressing this. 

Climate Adaptation

Finally, digital solutions can help mitigate the consequences of climate change by simulating the flows of water and investigating different measures to prevent flooding. 

Explore the project addressing this.  

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