Digital under 1.5°C: The conditions of a green & sustainable digital future

On Wednesday 9th February, 10:00 CET, join us in Strasbourg au Ciarus (7 Rue Finkmatt, 67000 Strasbourg, France) or online for the launch of our conference on Digital 1.5 °C : the conditions of a green & sustainable digital future ?”. At this conference, we will explore with representatives of local authorities, NGOs, researchers, activists how we can best protect the place in the face of massive deployment of technologies. 

The first quarter of the 21st century marked an unprecedented surge in reports of forest fires, floods and extreme weather events.  Among the causes of the constant increase of our greenhouse gas emissions is the resounding impact of the digital and IT sector on our environment. Research shows that GHG emissions from digital services account for 4.2% of European GHG emissions in Europe, twice as much as the aviation sector. From giant mining operations on the other side of the planet to open-air electronic waste dumps, not to mention exponential electricity consumption, the war for rare metals, the multiplication of terminals and associated infrastructures, the impacts of digital technology are colossal. 

Is digital transformation a gateway into normalising the exploitation of natural resources, the justification of overconsumption of technologies and spread of e-waste? What is the real costs of digital technologies on the planet ? How can we grow a green tech? 

Event details: Hosted by MEP David Cormand , the event will take place in Strasbourg at the Ciarus (7 Rue Finkmatt, 67000 Strasbourg, France) and online, 9h30-16h Brussels time on Wednesday 9th February 2022.  

Isncription : https://hopin.com/events/pour-un-numerique-durable/registration

10h00-11h00 – Introduction

• David Cormand, Greens/EFA MEP, Co-President of the French delegation EELV
• Caroline Zorn, City Councillor in charge of digital, City of Strasbourg
• Guillaume Pitron, journalist and author of “The Rare Metals War: The Dark Side Of the Energy Transition and Digitalization“

11h00-12h30 – Panel n°1 : What digital future for a sustainable planet? 

• Lise Breteau, Lawyer at the Paris Bar
• Côme Girschig, Lecturer and engineer Ponts et Chaussées
• Caroline Zorn, City Councillor in charge of digital, City of Strasbourg
• Ophélie Coelho, Specialist in digital geopolitics at the Rousseau Institute
• Fabrice Flipo, Professor of Philosophy and author

14h00-15h30 – Panel n°2 :  Towards a sustainable digital economy : perspective from the frontline

• Cathleen Berger, Director at Climatiq
• Sandrine Elmi Hersi, Co-Chair Sustainability, BEREC
• Ronan Groussier, Responsable des affaires publiques a Halte à l’Obsolescence Programmée
• Marie Castelli, Head of public affairs, Backmarket

15:30-16:00: closing ceremony