Digitalisation to play a stronger role in climate policy – CSC gave input to the preparation of the EU climate target for 2040
Climate impact of digitalisation is significant and increasing. When setting the EU climate target for 2040, a sub-target for the climate impact of digitalisation should be considered. The EU also needs a horizontal strategy for advancing the twin digital and green transition.
The target and the strategy must address both the negative and positive climate impacts of digitalisation. Responsible digital transition requires measures and incentives for reducing the negative impact (footprint) and increasing the positive one (handprint).
On the footprint side, tax exemptions or reductions for energy efficient digital infrastructures could be further promoted. Another way to incentivise footprint reductions would be to create indicators and labeling schemes for all energy-intensive digital infrastructures.
On the handprint side, good examples of innovative projects and solutions must be explored and brought forward to raise awareness of the opportunities of the twin transition. EU funding instruments must also be geared towards further incentivising green and digital research and innovation as well as supporting related technological development and basic research.