NLconnect Commits to Green Digital Future at COP29
The Hague, 13 November 2024 – NLconnect, the trade association of the telecom, broadband and fibre optic industry, has signed the COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Action. With this signing, NLconnect reinforces its commitment to promoting sustainable and inclusive initiatives within the telecom sector and the broader digital economy. The declaration will be adopted this week at the UN climate conference.
The COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Action highlights the important role that digital technologies and digital inclusivity play in achieving climate goals and is a global call to action to reduce the environmental impact of digital technologies and embrace sustainable solutions in the digital industry.
Sustainable digitalisation now part of UN climate conference
The UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) will take place this week and next in Azerbaijan. For the first time, the climate conference includes a declaration on sustainable digitalisation. During a special Digitalisation Day on 16 November - also a novelty during a climate conference - the Declaration on Green Digital Action will be formally adopted.
NLconnect director Mathieu Andriessen: 'The telecom sector plays a crucial role in the transition to a green economy and future: digital connectivity is an enabler of the global sustainability goals. But the increasing demand for faster and more reliable internet also brings with it an ecological footprint, which our industry is currently actively shrinking. The COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Action is an important international recognition of both aspects. Signing this declaration underlines our commitment to contribute to ambitious sustainability goals with digital connectivity while reducing the environmental impact of digital connectivity itself. Together we can contribute to a circular and climate-friendly world for future generations'.
Product Category Rules for Fiberglass Products
The COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Action sets eight goals in the field of sustainable digitalisation. NLconnect will work with members, partners and stakeholders to deliver on the ambitions of the declaration and to inspire both industry and end-users to play a role in this important transition.
NLconnect is particularly enthusiastic about the intention to develop standards to measure the climate impact of ICT and a data-driven approach to reduce emissions in the digital sector. In this regard, NLconnect has recently published Product Category Rules (PCRs) for active and passive fiber optic products, an industry standard that allows manufacturers and suppliers to perform Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) of their products. This provides insight into the environmental impact of materials and products used in fiber optic networks. This will allow telecom companies to get a better grip on their so-called scope 3 emissions.
Digital inclusion
NLconnect is also active in the field of digital inclusion, another explicit goal in the declaration.
Andriessen: 'Our sector is actively working to reduce the gap between those who use digital technologies and people for whom this is not self-evident. Among other things, in the field of digital accessibility, digital literacy and towards social minimums. The declaration offers us the opportunity to join forces with policymakers, civil society and other sectors here'.