thinkstep-anz and New Zealand telecommunications company Spark have released a report about the role of digital technologies in reducing emissions. Meeting the climate challenge through digital technology combines modelling by our thinkstep-anz experts, the Climate Change Commission and Spark, and global research.
Read the report
The results show that digital technology could help reduce more than 7 million tonnes of emissions by 2030. To meet its 2030 Emissions Budget, New Zealand needs to reduce emissions by 17 million tonnes – meaning digital technology can help deliver the equivalent of 42% of those reductions.
Our thinkstep-anz CEO Barbara Nebel says, “The study shows how important data is to make the right decisions to drive change. Analysing data on this study has helped us identify the sectors and solutions where digital technology offers the greatest potential to help decarbonise Aotearoa New Zealand. It’s been an exciting project to work on with Spark, and it may help us meet our crucial national goal – net-zero by 2050.”
Spark CEO Jolie Hodson commented on the motivation behind the research: “We know that the window to act to avoid the worst impacts of climate change is closing fast, and this requires urgent action across all sectors of our economy. We also know that digital technology can enable cross-sector transformation, and has great potential in decarbonising.
“Our aim in undertaking this research is to guide action that will support Aotearoa’s transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient future.”
The biggest opportunities
The most significant opportunities to reduce emissions through digital technology lie in the country’s three largest emitting sectors
- transport (2.9 Mt reduction modelled)
- energy and industry (2.4 Mt)
- agriculture (1.9 Mt)
Photo from the launch. L-R Hon James Shaw, Justine Smyth, Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, Jolie Hudson
1 November 2022