Advancing Green Digital Action Towards a Net-Zero ICT Sector

Event background:  
The information and communication technology (ICT) sector has become a central pillar of the global economy, but also a growing source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Current estimates place the sector’s contribution between 1.5% and 4% of global emissions, driven by the expansion of digital infrastructure, including data centers, and connectivity networks. At the same time, ICTs are indispensable enablers of climate solutions, from emissions tracking to decarbonization across industries. 
 
To align with the Paris Agreement and the 1.5°C target, the ICT sector must reduce its emissions by 45% by 2030. Achieving this requires robust data, transparent monitoring, and effective accountability mechanisms. Yet, precise estimates for GHG emissions from the ICT sector remain elusive compared to other sectors – such as transport, energy, and forestry – which have well-established measurement systems to inform mitigation efforts.  Lack of regulated tracking and reporting of GHG emission and energy use hinders the regulatory environment, policymaking, target setting, and progress reporting. 
 
 Building on the Green Digital Action initiative launched at COP28 and progress made at COP29, this event will mark a milestone in advancing sector-wide action by announcing progress towards a global ICT sector GHG database. The database will provide a central, open, and standardized platform for tracking the ICT industry’s energy use and emissions, supporting transparent progress reporting, and guiding the transition to net-zero operations. It will serve as a practical tool for governments, regulators, and companies to accelerate action, enabling informed policy, investment, and innovation decisions. 
 
Objectives: 
Discuss the ICT sector’s commitment to reducing GHG emissions, including progress on reporting and energy consumption. 
Outline next steps for the industry to transition toward more efficient and sustainable operations, including through standardized measurement, transparent reporting, and adoption of climate transition plans. 
Progress update towards a global ICT sector GHG database, a cornerstone of Green Digital Action’s GHG pillar, to support open data, accountability, and evidence-based policymaking.