UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

The Digital Economy Report 2024 underscores the urgent need for environmentally sustainable and inclusive digitalization strategies. Digital technology and infrastructure depend heavily on raw materials, and the production and disposal of more and more devices, along with growing water and energy needs are taking an increasing toll on the planet. Developing countries bear the brunt of the environmental costs of digitalization while reaping fewer benefits. UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) calls for bold action from policymakers, industry leaders and consumers. It urges a global shift towards a circular digital economy, focusing on circularity by design through durable products, responsible consumption, reuse and recycling, and sustainable business models. Explore the Digital Economy Report 2024: unctad.org/der2024

The production and use of digital devices, data centres and information and communications technology (ICT) networks account for an estimated 6% to 12% of global electricity use, according to the latest Digital Economy Report, released this week by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). From 2018 to 2022, electricity consumption by 13 of the largest data centre operators more than doubled. Worldwide, data centres are estimated to have consumed as much energy as France in 2022 – 460 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity. Their energy consumption is expected by the International Energy Agency to double to 1,000 TWh in 2026. Digitalization’s water consumption is also growing, which is cause for concern in a world where two billion people still lack access to safe drinking water. In 2022, Google’s data centers and offices consumed more than 21 million cubic meters of water. Newer technologies, such as generative AI, also require more potable water for cooling servers. The Digital Economy Report calls for bold action from policymakers, industry leaders and consumers. It urges a global shift towards a circular digital economy, focusing on circularity by design through durable products, responsible consumption, reuse and recycling, and sustainable business models. Explore the report: https://unctad.org/der2024

Seaweed offers an ocean of opportunities to enhance food security, environmental sustainability, and gender empowerment. This ocean crop finds applications across various sectors, from human food consumption to industrial uses such as hydrocolloids and pharmaceuticals. It is also pivotal in environmental projects, serving as a non-plastic substitute, aiding in carbon capture, and providing renewable energy sources like biofuel. Seaweed provides sustainable solutions to improve livelihoods in developing countries, particularly benefiting impoverished coastal communities. Its rapid regeneration supports ecosystem restoration. Notably, women play a significant role in the production, processing, and commercialization of seaweed. Find out more: https://ow.ly/Ci6f50SwXxK

The production and use of digital devices, data centres and ICT networks account for an estimated 6% to 12% of global electricity use. Developing countries bear the brunt of the environmental costs of digitalization while reaping fewer benefits. UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)’s Digital Economy Report 2024 calls for bold action from policymakers, industry leaders & consumers, and urges a global shift towards a circular digital economy. ➡ https://unctad.org/der2024

At the launch of the Digital Economy Report 2024, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan underscored the urgent need for environmentally sustainable and inclusive digitalization strategies. ▶️ In 2020, digital economy emissions accounted for 1.5 to 3.2% of global greenhouse gas emissions. ▶️ In 2022, data centers consumed 460 terawatt hours of electricity. This amount of energy could power about 42 million US homes for a year. This figure is expected to double by 2026. ▶️ Digital-related waste increased by 30% between 2010 and 2022, reaching 10.5 million tons globally. UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) calls for stronger environmental regulations and investments in renewable energy to mitigate the ecological footprint of digital technologies. Explore the report: https://unctad.org/der2024

Capitalizing on creativity: How imagination can support sustainable development. The #WeeklyTradecast looks at the creative economy with Marisa Henderson, chief of UN Trade and Development’s creative economy program. Ranging from theatre, music and film to advertising, fashion and computer games, it's one of the world’s fastest-growing sectors. UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) says the industry can power sustainable development at a time when creative solutions are needed to overcome global challenges. Beyond creating jobs, attracting investment and supporting innovation, the creative economy also helps to promote cultural identity and diversity. But developing countries often lack the skills, infrastructure and data to capitalize on these dynamic opportunities. Listen in to UNCTAD’s Marisa Henderson to find out how more economies can unleash their creative potential. https://ow.ly/iV3150Szrof

The creative economy includes audiovisual products, design, media, music, performing arts, publishing and visual arts. An evolving concept by nature, it involves goods and services based on creativity and intellectual capital as primary inputs. With exports of these products growing strongly in recent years, robust regulatory frameworks are necessary to ensure technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) benefit everyone and foster a competitive and sustainable creative economy. That’s the main message from the Creative Economy Outlook 2024 released by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Find out more: https://ow.ly/OEhM50Szr0i

The creative economy includes audiovisual products, design, media, music, performing arts, publishing and visual arts. An evolving concept by nature, it involves goods and services based on creativity and intellectual capital as primary inputs. With exports of these products growing strongly in recent years, robust regulatory frameworks are necessary to ensure technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) benefit everyone and foster a competitive and sustainable creative economy. That’s the main message from the Creative Economy Outlook 2024 released by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Marisa Henderson, head of the creative economy programme run by UN Trade and Development, says: “As a driver of sustainable development, the creative economy requires continued policy attention and investment to maximize its positive societal impact.” The report comes as government officials, businesses and researchers convene in Geneva for the 11th Multi-year Expert Meeting on Trade, Services and Development from 10 to 12 July. The meeting looks closely at global trade trends of creative services amid the growing impact of digitalization on development opportunities, challenges and policy implications. Participants also discuss ways to better collect and leverage statistics on trade in services. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/gC6V4KHm Full report: https://lnkd.in/dR_WPiSG

In 2022, global exports of creative services surged to $1.4 trillion, while creative goods totalled $713 billion, up by 29% and 19%, respectively, from 2017. Developing economies primarily export creative goods, while developed ones account for 80% of creative services exports. However, the gap in the latter has slowly decreased over the past decade, with the share of developing countries doubling to 20% between 2010 and 2022. Explore UN Trade and Development’s Creative Economy Outlook 2024: https://lnkd.in/dR_WPiSG

UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)'s Digital Economy Report 2024 underscores the urgent need for environmentally sustainable and inclusive digitalization strategies. Digital technology and infrastructure depend heavily on raw materials, and the production and disposal of more and more devices, along with growing water and energy needs are taking an increasing toll on the planet. For example, the production and use of digital devices, data centres and information and communications technology (ICT) networks account for an estimated 6% to 12% of global electricity use. Developing countries bear the brunt of the environmental costs of digitalization while reaping fewer benefits. They export low value-added raw materials and import high value-added devices, along with increasing digital waste. Geopolitical tensions over critical minerals, abundant in many of these countries, complicate the challenges. The report calls for bold action from policymakers, industry leaders and consumers. It urges a global shift towards a circular digital economy, focusing on circularity by design through durable products, responsible consumption, reuse and recycling, and sustainable business models. Explore the #DigitalEconomy Report 2024 and its data & analysis: unctad.org/der2024