CODES Action Plan for a Sustainable Planet in the Digital Age
Coordinated by the United Nations, the CODES Action Plan explores the role of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, blockchain and other innovations to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with input from over 1000 stakeholders.
Report link: CODES, United Nations (2022)
Digital transformation is globally pervasive, increasing productivity, disrupting pre-existing business models and leading to diverse innovations with profound implications for the human future. This transformation has enormous potential to support progress towards sustainability, however in its current form it continues to enable and/or encourage unsustainable practices that are degrading natural systems, entrenching inequality and undermining human wellbeing.
The Action Plan for a Sustainable Planet in the Digital Age, published by the UN Coalition for Digital Environmental Sustainability (CODES) identifies three systemic shifts needed to harness digital transformation as a positive and exponential force for progressing environmentally and socially sustainable development. Within each shift, this Action Plan identifies six strategic priorities that must be addressed during the 2022-2025 timeline. The Action Plan also presents 9 global Impact Initiatives, that interested stakeholders can lead, contribute to, or engage in to catalyze systemic transformations.
The report centers on six core problems that are addressable by digital technologies, data sharing agreements, and other enablers. The six core problems focus on:
- Reducing energy-related greenhouse gas emissions
- Minimizing e-waste and critical minerals consumption
- Restraining persuasive technologies that can cause harm
- Preventing the amplification of misinformation
- Closing the 'digital divide' that disadvantages communities
- Identifying and preventing human rights violations
Research coordinators: David Jensen (UNEP), Shivam Kishore (UNEP), Reina Otsuk (UNDP), Marcel Dorsch (UBA), Nilufar Sabet-Kassouf (Future Earth), Megha Sud (ISC)