This article, from leading thinkers on digital sustainability, argues that digitalisation is a major ‘wild-card’ in the pursuit of a cessation of global warming. They explain how digital technologies can directly and indirectly increase or decrease GHG emissions.

The paper assesses the methodological challenges in estimating each of these effects, and thus the future of digitisation as a tool to combat global warming.

The authors then provide a set of recommendations to increase consistency and robustness of estimates of digital sustainability, while also helping to identify key levers to maximize the potential benefits of digitalization while minimizing its risks. They advocate for coordinated and complementary efforts from policy makers, industry, researchers, and other organisations.