Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Microsoft have announced a public-private partnership to advance the development of green digital solutions. The partnership will promote knowledge sharing on learnings, certification pathways, best practices, and standards for the effective measurement and reporting of carbon emissions generated by software applications. It will also explore modalities to advance the implementation of principles and tools for the development of green technologies. A joint framework that guides developers to build sustainable software will be created and applied through the Singapore GreenTech Challenge, whose outcomes will contribute to the energy reset pillar of the Singapore Green Plan 2030. In addition, both parties intend to promote sustainable technological solutions to help SMEs to measure, track, and report their carbon emissions.
Sustainable development
Climate Technology Centre & Network launches its third Programme of Work to enhance climate resilience through digitalisation and innovation
The Climate Technology Centre & Network (CTCN), a network of institutions hosted by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and responsible for helping developing countries access environmentally sound technologies for climate change mitigation and adaptation, has launched its third Programme of Work for 2023–2027 at COP27. The new work programme focuses on the transformative potential of national systems of innovation (NSI) and digitalisation as enablers of technology transfer and development in five transformative systems: water-energy-food nexus, buildings and infrastructure, sustainable mobility, energy systems, and business and industry. It will explore how digital technologies and circular design can contribute to reducing global carbon emissions.
As examples, the document cites the role of data and digitalisation in early warning systems and nature-based solutions and digital technologies to support off-grid energy systems, including blockchain technologies for urban transport and building.
Along with this new programme, CTCN also launched the first joint work programme in collaboration with the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) to strengthen and accelerate efforts on transformative climate technology development and transfer. Digitalisation is among the activities included in the joint programme, which will focus on the role of distributed ledgers and green technology databases as support tools and resources for innovation cooperation.
Climate Chain Coalition launches its stocktake report and next strategy at COP27
The Climate Chain Coalition (CCC), a multistakeholder network focused on advancing distributed ledger technology and related digital solutions (e.g. IoT, big data) to address climate response for mitigation and adaptation, released its stocktake report at COP27, Egypt. The document presents a review of the CCC members, showing their priorities for different types of applications, issues/sectors, stakeholders and target users, among other indicators. The data reveals, for example, that although 15 members have blockchain products commercially available, a significant number of members (97) are still researching the use of blockchain.
To continue promoting the CCC membership and partnership, the network launched a new strategy to enhance cooperation among members and other partners, deploy digital solutions, and encourage co-creation and co-leadership to build data and digital infrastructure through Climate Chain Labs to accelerate innovations for climate action.
Survey finds farmers need more government support to increase the use of digital agriculture tools
Findings of the ‘Farmers and Digitalisation’ survey reveal that there is already intensive use of digital technologies on farms to reduce fertiliser use, optimise water use, and improve soil health. Although farmers are willing to continue to invest in digital tools, they face a number of barriers to doing so, mainly related to the cost and availability of devices and lack of connectivity.
In the view of farmers, greater government support is needed to promote the digitisation of farms and overcome these barriers. Support is not limited to increasing access to the internet, but also involves providing training and capacity development, as well as subsidies and inventions for the adoption of digital solutions.
The survey conducted by Savanta ComRes and commissioned by Vodafone Group interviewed farmers from 13 countries in Europe and Africa about their perspectives on digital farming, environmental challenges, and current geopolitical and socio-economic pressures.