Page 11 - Monaco Economie 126

Are we moving towards
digital sobriety?

The ADEME study highlights that one of the
major environmental challenges of digital
technology, in addition to its carbon footprint,
is the availability of necessary metals and
other resources used to manufacture
terminals (mainly televisions, computers,
internet boxes and smartphones, as well
as other connected objects). One solution
is to implement “digital sobriety” policies,
which begin with questioning the extent of
developing new digital products or services,
and reducing or stabilising the number of
devices. Extending the lifespan of terminals
In what manner is Monaco going digital? by reconditioning and repairing equipment is
a major area of work, as is raising consumer
awareness of these issues. Similarly, in
order to improve energy efficiency, eco-
design must be systematised: for terminals
as well as for other equipment (network
infrastructures and data centres), and
methods of deploying digital networks and
national strategies include digital security to the French Agency for Ecological Transition services. Implementing all of these controls
action plans aimed at supporting economic (ADEME). And this footprint could triple between would reduce the environmental footprint
and social prosperity and building trust in the 2020 and 2050! “Whilst digital development of digital technology by 2030: as much as
digital environment, as well as the protection makes it possible to reduce environmental -16% compared to 2020.
of data privacy. In particular, the GDPR in the impact in other sectors (transport for example), Several measures have also been adopted
European Union, which entered into force on electricity consumption and use of resources within the Monegasque administration:
25 May 2018, established new rules governing raises the question of its feasibility. “Will we be pooling printers, electronic payslips -
the free movement of personal data within the able to produce as much electricity and consume and internal mail soon – signature by all
European Union. as many raw materials in a world where tensions agents and civil servants of the National
Other major trends include resilient, inclusive and are increasing?” asks the agency. A question Pact for energy transition, and dedicated
above all sustainable digital technology. Because that also inevitably resonates within Monaco’s recycling channels. Following analyses by
the environmental impact of digital technology government. “The transformation process only the Administration, the lifespan of the State’s
continues to grow. Responsible for 3 - 4% of makes sense if it is both energy efficient and computer equipment has been extended
global greenhouse gas emissions (according to positive for sustainable development. Like to 5 years. “This simple measure leads
studies), it generates a lot of waste and requires integrated safety ‘by design’, an environmental to a reduction in CO2 emissions by 233
a lot of non-renewable resources and fresh water. approach must be integrated at the outset of tonnes, and reduces the extraction of natural
The Paris agreements require its impact to be each project. We already have existing examples resources, equivalent to 191 return flights
reduced. In France alone, “by 2030, if nothing of this policy. Monaco Telecom’s data centres from Paris to New York and 1,074 cars”.
is done to reduce the environmental footprint operate on carbon-free energy and are designed
of digital technology and its use continues to in an eco-responsible manner. The centralization
progress at the current rate, data traffic would enabled by our sovereign cloud could reduce CO 2 *This would result in the following increases between 2020 and
2030:
be multiplied by 6 and the amount of equipment emissions by between 25% and 50% compared - France’s digital carbon footprint by approximately +45% (up
to 25 Mt CO2)
would be nearly 65% higher than in 2020, notably to on-site structures. Monaco Cloud is aiming for - the consumption of abiotic resources (metals and minerals):
+14%
due to the rise of connected objects*” according zero carbon by 2025”, promises Frédéric Genta. - electricity consumption: + 5% (up to 54 TWh per year)

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