Computing Power Goes Green

The digital transformation of the public and private sectors has become a European priority to increase the European competitiveness. At national level, it is thus a priority to create digital transformation plans and roadmaps and to fund initiatives for the digitalization of the enterprises. During this journey, it is important to focus on green digitalization and on the creation of digital infrastructures that are environmentally sustainable. However, until recently, the center of focus when assessing the environmental footprint of an enterprise or public authorities' investment has been the energy efficiency of buildings, facilities, and vehicles. As far as the digital transformation plan of a public or private enterprise is concerned, there is no assessment framework and relevant indicators that would allow to measure such initiatives and plans from the perspective of their environmental/energy footprint. In line with the EU goals for a' twin transition', it is urgent to take actions that support a sustainable digital transformation.

Within the twin transition policy framework, the main objective of GO_GREEN project is to promote the adoption of an integrated approach and framework for the creation of combined green and digital transformation initiatives at the national and transnational level, that will lead to a 'greener' functioning of digital infrastructures. To reach its climate and economic goals, the digital sector must contribute its share and embrace sustainability in all its facets: circular economy models for hardware, climate-neutral CPU models and server centers, software advancements to reduce energy consumption, and many more. The added value that this project brings is the combined promotion of sustainable-green digitalization in the programme area. This will be achieved through a better assessment framework that will allow:
- to promote combined green and digital technologies at the national as well as transnational level
- to lead to a 'greener' functioning of digital infrastructures and data centers
- to further enforce the twin transitions with the creation of a green digitalization certification scheme for the public and private sector.

The main output of the project is the creation of an overall framework for monitoring, assessment, measurement & accreditation of green-digital initiatives & a pilot demonstration of measurable environmental /energy efficiency gains for different types of environmental resources using green-digital infrastructures, contributing to the integrated-horizontal (twin) objectives of the project. This will be achieved through:
1. The establishment of an Observatory for the assessment of the energy efficiency of the digital processing and digital infrastructures of the various
sectors of economic activity;
2. A Comparative assessment framework of the measurements recorded in the participating countries;
3. The creation of an Action Plan towards Green Digitalization (green digitalization roadmap);
4. Pilot (demonstration) applications enabling the 'greening' of selected digital transformation initiatives and assessment of their environmental footprint

The project results in the creation of a long-term cooperation structure and capacity building measures for promoting the greening of digital investments. This is primarily achieved through the establishment of the Barometer as a Permanent monitoring mechanism. The parallel establishment of the Green Certificate results in concrete environment benefits (measurable energy efficiency gains) thorough the provision of incentives to public bodies, infrastructure manufacturers and private enterprises for a green-innovation economy. The project recognizes the need for a balanced development, where amongst others environmental protection, resources’ efficiency and economic growth will be sought in parallel. Digital transformation as a main driver of economic development for the modern economy is seen under the lens of environmental protection.

A strong transnational approach has been chosen with the participation of 5 countries and the inclusion of partners with diverse experience able to cover all important dimensions for the project development and sustainability - transferability of its results (regional authorities-public bodies, technical chamber, chamber of commerce,energy agency, information society agency etc.).

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