Digital Pathways to a Greener Future: Empowering Climate Solutions Through Technology

Time: 12 November, 11:30-13:00
Venue: Side Event Room 2

Introduction 
Digital technologies are rapidly becoming mainstream tools for driving climate action, increasingly integrated into national climate strategies, including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This session will explore their critical role in enabling climate solutions, showcasing relevant standards for measuring the impact of reduced and avoided greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, sharing good practices, and inspiring actionable outcomes. By fostering partnerships and innovation, the event aims to advance green digital solutions that are scalable, transparent, and accountable. 
The session will highlight how emerging technologies can accelerate climate action, the importance of monitoring results for impact, and the need for effective financing with effective business models.  
This event contributes to the broader Green Digital Action (GDA) initiative, which unites countries and companies to ensure that digital transformation and environmental sustainability go hand in hand.   
 
Objectives 
This session will: 
Present findings of ITU’s stocktake of how digital technologies are integrated into 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions  
Highlight how digital technologies are being leveraged to support national climate strategies and accelerate GHG emissions reductions.  
Showcase standards and methodologies for measuring the impact of digital climate solutions 
Discuss innovative business models and financing mechanisms to enhance energy efficiency in AI and data centres. 
 
Target audience 
This session is designed for policymakers, climate negotiators, representatives of UN agencies, technology experts, financial institutions, and stakeholders from both the public and private sectors who are interested in the intersection of digital innovation and climate action. Participation is free of charge.  
 
Agenda
Moderator: Reyna Ubeda, Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, ITU (Nicaragua) 

Introduction and Setting the Stage 
Opening remarks on the urgency of GHG reductions and the potential of digital technologies. 
Speakers: 
– Dietram Oppelt, Chair, UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee
– Tomas Lamanauskas, General Secretariat, ITU 

Session 1: From Ambition to Action – Launching the stocktake “Digital technologies and NDCs” 
This session will start with a presentation on the key findings of the stocktake “Digital Technologies and NDCs” showcasing how national climate strategies aim to leverage digital technologies for climate action.  
Following this presentation, this session will highlight innovative digital solutions that are accelerating climate action, offering practical examples of how emerging technologies are being deployed to support mitigation and adaptation efforts. 
Speakers: 
– Ana F Vergara, Green Digital Action, ITU 
– Heather Jacobs, Climate Technology Specialist, WIPO 
– Ghada K. AlOthman, Sustainability Lead, Communications, Space & Technology Commission, Saudi Arabia

Session 2: Scaling Success – Measuring and Financing Digital Solutions for Climate Action 
This session will explore how the impact of digital climate solutions can be effectively measured, highlighting Recommendation ITU-T L.1480 on assessing the use of information and communication technology solutions impact greenhouse gas emissions of other sectors.  The session will highlight concrete examples of how methodologies and standards are being put into practice across different sectors and regions, demonstrating their effectiveness in real-world applications. 
It will also feature Business Models and Finance to Enhance Energy Efficiency in AI and Data Centres, building on a Policy Brief from the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre. The discussion will explore how policymakers and financing institutions can promote key financing mechanisms, regulatory strategies, and innovative business models to enhance energy efficiency in AI and data centres, particularly in developing countries and emerging economies. 
Speakers: 
– Jean-Manuel Canet, Senior Manager, Orange and WP3/5 Vice-Chair 
– Jochen Renger, Director of the Climate Change, Rural Development, Infrastructure, GIZ 
– Gabriela Prata Dias, Climate Centre, UN Environment Programme
– Bjorn-Soren Gigler, Senior Digital and Green Transformation Specialist, DG CLIMA, European Commission  

Q&A and Closure 
Open discussion and call for action.