Creating Eco-friendly Policy System for Emerging Technology

8 Oct 2023 00:00h - 01:30h UTC

Event report

Speakers and Moderators

Doris Mwikali
Bosen Lily Liu
Ingrid Volkmer

Table of contents

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Knowledge Graph of Debate

Session report

Speaker 1

Technological advancement is occurring at an unparalleled pace, with artificial intelligence, deep learning, and blockchain emerging as significant phenomena in society. Notably, renowned institutes’ research publications and inventive initiatives like ChildGPT reinforce the progression of these technologies, aligning with the objectives of SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

However, the accelerating pace of technological advancement, whilst bringing opportunities, also presents significant challenges — particularly concerning the environmental impact. The key argument acknowledges that innovation, albeit beneficial, must not jeopardise our planet’s well-being — a sentiment embodying SDG 13: Climate Action’s objectives.

Within the realm of education, higher education institutions bear a vital responsibility to foster socio-environmental consciousness. They must nurture a sustainable ethos, fulfilling their obligations towards SDG 4: Quality Education, and SDG 13: Climate Action, underlining education’s importance for a sustainable future.

Furthermore, there is an emphasis on inculcating global consciousness, forging new partnerships, and pushing for innovative policies — all of which align profoundly with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, and SDG 4: Quality Education. Beyond technological progression, innovation must also pervade policymaking to keep pace with technological shifts. Policymakers must uncover novel means to meet societal demands and solve problems whilst safeguarding peaceful and just societies — epitomising SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

The debates also prominently feature the concepts of inclusion and empowerment. The recurrent paradigm is a shift from ‘leaving no one behind’ to ‘letting everyone take the pilot seat’, resonating profoundly with SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities and reinforcing the need for a balanced and inclusive society where individuals have the opportunity to contribute and flourish.

In conclusion, the interrelationship among technology, society, and the environment is intricate and multifaceted, with education, innovative policies, and a drive for increased inclusivity and empowerment pivotal in navigating this complex landscape. A coordinated approach aligned with these elements offers the promise of a sustainable and equitable future for all.

Speaker 4

Universities and higher educational institutions play a pivotal role in the development and promotion of green engineering and eco-friendly, emerging technologies. This emphasises their commitment to both Quality Education (SDG 4) and Climate Action (SDG 13). This responsibility is frequently embedded in their teaching curricula, with the trajectory of university research and development greatly influenced by the perspectives of professional engineering bodies and governmental policies.

Eco-development of AI, a nascent field, is characterised by two primary factors. Firstly, it is necessary to consider the environmental impact and efficiency of AI tools. Secondly, we have to examine how AI technology can facilitate the realisation of a circular economy, adhering to the targets of Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9) and Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12). Distinguishing these two fields is pivotal for ensuing progress in the area.

Moreover, progress in AI necessitates engagement from principal stakeholders such as innovators, policymakers, and industry players. This engagement is crucial for achieving Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). The inclusion of these stakeholders encourages an aligned information flow, aiding in effective decision-making processes.

A key challenge in AI development is the regulation of international data exchange, which intersects intriguingly with intellectual property protection and export control regulations. This point underscores the need to strengthen Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16). Establishing a balance between data protection and export control requires a nuanced approach, respecting all applicable legal and ethical standards.

Importantly, AI is not an unheard-of challenge. It can glean insights from history and learn lessons from past technological developments such as nuclear technology, plastics, and robotics. By evaluating their trajectories, we can anticipate and mitigate potential risks associated with AI development.

Finally, there is a clear necessity for creative, cross-disciplinary solutions to overcome challenges related to AI and sustainable technologies. This aligns with the need for a collaborative and encompassing approach to addressing challenges at a systemic level. Merging diverse fields of study and industry expertise is critical for devising comprehensive solutions, embodying the essence of both Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

Doris Mwikali

Doris Mwikali strongly emphasises the necessity for inclusivity and equity in environmental dialogues as a crucial step towards achieving sustainability objectives. A fundamental aspect of this, as Mwikali proposes, is heightened engagement with the Global South, which can offer invaluable insight into their unique interpretations and consequences of environmental policies. This engagement aims to democratise the policy-making proceedings and can aid in developing understandings that counteract the power dynamics often prevalent between the Global North and the Global South, ultimately leading to reduced inequalities.

Mwikali promotes a shift in our perception and usage of innovation, contesting that it should not merely be a tool for material benefits. Instead, she advocates for innovation for the greater good, championing advancements that can catalyse tangible improvements in sustainable practices globally.

Moreover, Mwikali promotes the concept of shared responsibility and collective action in the pursuit of sustainability goals. Encouraging expansive participation in these dialogues, she aims to stimulate a discussion between the Global North and South, emphasising that collaborative efforts are pivotal in propelling the cause of environmental sustainability.

In an era distinguished by rapid technological growth, Mwikali underscores the necessity for intergenerational dialogue in policy creation. She highlights the role of diverse stakeholder groups, including youth, the private sector, academia, and civil society, in the design and execution of new technologies. By inviting these varied voices to the discussion table, Mwikali believes we can exploit the full potential of technological advancements while ensuring they serve the common good.

She stresses education as a foundational basis for policy creation. Mwikali highlights the need to equip the forthcoming generation with the knowledge and skills they need to interact effectively with new technologies by advocating for the funding of new research to establish evidence-based procedures. In doing so, she alludes to a future where informed policy creation and implementation are the norm.

Lastly, she invokes the Sustainable Development Goal 17 – ‘Partnerships for the Goals’ – to reiterate the crucial role every stakeholder plays in policy creation. Indeed, she suggests that policy design and implementation should not solely be the domain of policy makers but should be viewed as a collective action involving all, underlining the importance of unity in moving towards our shared sustainability goals.

Bosen Lily Liu

In an insightful discussion, Lily underscored the key role of higher education, which serves as a critical conduit between education and industry. It bolsters the inclusion of the greening concept within our education system, hence ensuring the conversion of knowledge into tangible practices. Her argument conveyed a positive stance towards the central role of higher education in greening processes and accentuated the need for its inclusion within innovation strategies.

Lily further emphasised the indispensability of an ‘evidence-based approach’ when implementing eco-friendly practices. She posited that assembling data and its analytical peer review lay the foundation before extending any recommendations. She reiterated that robust decision-making is underpinned by empirical evidence, thereby advocating a judicious approach to sustainable endeavours.

Lily’s discussion also embraced the idea of multi-stakeholder engagement. She expressed firm belief in the necessity of leveraging all stakeholders in the greening process. In her argument, she proposed that the proactive and significant involvement of diverse stakeholders can harmonise efforts directed at Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), thus significantly advancing progress towards SDG 13.

In an era characterised by the emergence of technologies such as AI, blockchain, and big data, Lily recognised their extraordinary potential to streamline environmental efficiency. She laid emphasis on utilising these advancements across varied domains, discussing their high relevance in achieving SDGs.

Lily also identified the essential role of the global south in formulating environmental policies and technological evolution. The engagement of these nations, due to their notable achievements in SDG 13, was underscored. Furthermore, she conveyed the necessity to reimagine the classic model of shared responsibility, highlighting the global south stakeholders as integral contributors rather than mere beneficiaries. Their unique experiences in environmental conservation, coupled with their innovative efficiency, should be channelled towards sustainability efforts.

Building upon the theme of global equality, Lily advocated for a re-evaluated model challenging prevailing paradigms and offering a more balanced viewpoint. She pressed for the consideration of the entire lifecycle of electronic devices, censuring the reductive perception of treating certain regions merely as dumping grounds for electronic waste. Through her arguments, Lily calls for a more comprehensive viewpoint that encapsulates all factors in order to sculpt a more sustainable and equal world.

Speaker 3

The analysis robustly endorses the adoption of a comprehensive, multifaceted approach to confront modern challenges such as climate change. Emphasising the vital importance of collaboration, it champions a system that prioritises knowledge sharing. It further advocates for a collective effort from governments, businesses, foundations, universities, and other stakeholders. The recommended interventions are not random, but meticulously planned, scalable and fundamentally intended to have a sustainable impact.

Youth leadership is accorded significant attention in the analysis. Situated at the intersection of youth leadership and education reform, the summary finds that the inclusion of youth in global conversations is a necessity. It calls for the creation of platforms and the provision of indispensable knowledge, skills, and tools that foster innovation amongst young individuals. In this aspect, it posits that quality education is a paramount Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) to achieve.

The analysis recognises that civil societies play an integral role in fostering dialogue and innovation on a global scale. They are lauded as independent platforms that facilitate discourse from all groups, particularly advocating for inclusive conversations that integrate marginalised communities into policy and solution development discussions. This aligns with SDGs rooted in creating sustainable cities and communities and promoting peace, justice, and robust institutions.

The transformative impact of technology, particularly within the education sector, is positively acknowledged. Emerging technologies are hailed for their potential to reinforce education initiatives both within individual countries and on a global level. The frictionless integration of technology across geographical boundaries underlines the argument for a more inclusive, technology-driven, and globally unified education.

Additionally, the analysis embraces a more globalised, holistic approach to learning. It backs strategies that encourage collaborative learning and collective change-making. The analysis highlights the importance of fostering global solidarity among the world’s youth, aspiring to connect rather than divide them in the pursuit of quality education.

Notably, the analysis advocates for an egalitarian world trajectory, arguing for equal support for all, irrespective of geographical location. It unequivocally promotes equality and global solidarity, aligning with SDGs that are focused on reducing inequalities and building partnerships for the achievement of shared goals. In conclusion, the analysis paints a promising picture of how comprehensive, collaborative actions can contribute to a harmonious and equal world.

Speaker 2

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and corresponding emerging technologies have dramatically transformed the corporate landscape, especially in the clean tech sector. Companies have started capitalising on the transformative capacity of AI, utilising the voluminous data gathered by these systems to inform decision-making processes and sculpt their net-zero strategies. This positive disruption has not merely enhanced operational efficiency, but also contributed significantly to profitability by successfully discerning and addressing customer pain points through innovative business models.

Simultaneously, AI and these disruptive technologies have amplified the significance of corporate reporting on environmental impact. This emerging trend has been largely steered by the escalating interest of investors, activists, and other stakeholders in comprehending how company activities are impacting the environment. Reinforcing the necessity for such reporting, the Taskforce on Nature and Biodiversity has exhorted companies to document the influence of their operations on nature and biodiversity.

Nevertheless, despite their numerous benefits, emerging technologies present substantial challenges and risks. Foremost among these is their intense energy consumption, notably in the cases of data centres that are heavily reliant on such technologies. These escalate serious concerns about their potential detrimental environmental effects. Furthermore, inconsistencies have been observed with claims of companies falsely championing environmentally-friendly practices.

In response to this, there have been broad calls for enhanced government regulation. Supporters of this standpoint contend that to control the environmental impacts and ensure the security of the data associated with these technologies, more robust governmental oversight is warranted. Through proffering incentives and instigating legislative changes, the government can guarantee higher standards of data security, privacy, and ownership. Crucially, however, the fulfilment of such an outcome would require governments to significantly bolster their knowledge, capacity, and understanding of these complex and rapidly evolving technologies.

In conclusion, whilst the promise of emerging technologies, especially AI, in driving innovations in clean tech is undeniable, the possible detrimental environmental impact and data security risks they pose necessitate careful governmental regulation for sustainable and secure implementation.

Ingrid Volkmer

The analysis provides a thorough investigation into the complex relationship between Artificial Intelligence (AI), policy approaches, and the environmental impact thereof. It outlines the development of AI policy strategies, which were initially centred on national regulatory frameworks as of 2017, drawing light to the shift in 2019 when G7 digital ministers acknowledged our new reality – a reality wherein AI is a feature within internationally linked data spaces.

This global perspective on AI technology necessitates a fresh approach to policymaking, particularly considering the technology’s significant contribution to carbon emissions. The analysis emphatically advocates for a holistic approach to AI policies that duly incorporate environmental considerations. It critiques the shortcomings of focusing solely on sectors such as healthcare and agriculture, whilst glaringly ignoring the severe environmental repercussions associated with AI’s rapid expansion.

Moreover, the analysis shines a light on the persistent challenges faced by developing regions, specifically Nigeria and Argentina. It exposes a striking discrepancy between the projected enhancements AI would bring to renewable energy sources and the harsh reality of severe electricity problems and imbalances within national energy grids. For Argentina, the reliance on renewable energy sources is reportedly inadequate, accounting for a paltry 12% of total energy consumption.

It becomes quite evident that there is an urgent need to shift away from traditional nationalistic approaches. The pressing global need is for modern, fluid policies centred around environmental and climate-related issues to be developed, especially within the prevailing era of digitalisation. This substantial transition encapsulates the inherent value in adopting a global perspective, hallmarked by data fluidity and international digital integration.

In conclusion, the analysis strongly emphasises the importance of adopting an Earth-centric approach to safeguarding our planet in lieu of focusing on individual nations. It suggests the creation of innovative models designed to foster comprehension of this holistic perspective. The need to pay heed to a regulatory approach that surpasses territorial boundaries is underscored. This understanding is noteworthy as it contests the formerly accepted view of digital regulation and underscores the urgency required in engaging with the realities of our data-driven world. A comprehensive perspective, recognising the intricacies of global digital infrastructure, would undoubtedly lead to more effective policy implementation.

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