• Bitkom presents a new study on the climate effects of digitalization
• Digital technologies can contribute around 24 percent to the 2030 climate target
• The biggest levers lie in the energy and building sectors

Wind turbines that use sensors to optimally adapt their rotor blades to the wind strength, fields that are fertilized more economically based on satellite data, factories that produce highly efficiently thanks to AI and save energy in the process: digital technologies can make a significant contribution to this that Germany will meet its climate targets by 2030. As the new Bitkom study “Climate Effects of Digitalization” shows, annual CO2 emissions in Germany can be reduced by around 73 million tons in 2030 if digitalization is accelerated. This is a net effect in which the CO2 emissions from the use of these technologies, including data centers and end devices, are already taken into account. “Digitalization can contribute almost a quarter to Germany’s self-imposed climate goals in 2030,” says Bitkom Vice President Christina Raab on the occasion of the presentation of the study. If digitalization does not accelerate but continues at the current pace, savings of around 50 million tons of CO2 can be achieved in 2030 – that corresponds to 16 percent of the target. In 2022, Germany’s CO2 emissions were 746 million tons, in 2023, according to the forecast, they would be 673 million tons, and in 2030 they should only be 438 million tons. Raab: “Climate change is becoming more and more noticeable and tackling it more urgently. We must exhaust all possibilities so that Germany achieves its climate goals. With digitalization we have a strong lever to significantly reduce CO2 emissions and at the same time increase our competitiveness. The more ambitious the use of digital technologies is, the greater the savings will be.”

The Bitkom study “Climate Effects of Digitalization” was carried out by sustainability and digitalization experts from Accenture. The study uses three projections of future CO2 emissions to examine the CO2 effect of using digital solutions in the particularly relevant sectors of energy, buildings, industry, transport and agriculture. Firstly, a pessimistic projection of high CO2 emissions in 2030, secondly, an optimistic projection of low emissions, among other things, by covering 85 percent of electricity demand with renewable energies. The climate effects of digitalization are examined below based on a third projection of average CO2 emissions. It falls somewhere between the pessimistic and particularly optimistic CO2 projection.

What CO2 emissions are caused by the digital technologies themselves? This question is also answered by the study. The operation of the technologies, but also of end devices such as screens, computers or tablets, as well as the operation of the network infrastructure and data centers indirectly cause CO2 emissions. If digitalization is accelerated, the carbon footprint of digital technologies in the five sectors in 2030 will be in the middle of the three projections considered at 3.8 million tons. If digitalization continues at its current pace, it will be 2.1 million tons.

The results of the sectors at a glance:

• Energy: In the energy sector, digital technologies have the greatest potential for CO2 savings. Up to 26.4 million tons of CO2 can be saved with accelerated digitalization and 24.5 million tons of CO2 with standard digitalization in 2030. The decisive factor here are, on the one hand, smart grids, i.e. intelligent power networks in which electricity generation and consumption can be precisely controlled. They use sensors, smart meters and real-time data processing to dynamically balance supply and demand for energy. On the other hand, there is high potential for savings in the smart production of renewable energies. With the help of digital technologies, energy production from renewable sources is becoming more reliable and efficient. In solar systems, for example, the panels can be optimally aligned and tilted depending on the sunlight through the use of intelligent control systems and algorithms. Wind turbines can analyze wind speeds and directions and adjust the position and angle of their rotor blades.
• Building sector: A home that automatically turns down the radiators when a window is opened, an office that intelligently controls the air conditioning depending on the weather conditions and the number of people present: Smart homes and intelligent, connected buildings can save a lot of energy. According to the Bitkom study, around 12.4 million tons of CO2 can be saved in 2030 if smart building technologies are widely used in private and commercial environments. There will be up to 18.3 million tons if the spread of smart technologies accelerates. “Previous funding programs for the energy-efficient renovation of buildings are still too one-sidedly focused on traditional measures. “We won’t win the fight for the climate with thick insulation alone, we will win it primarily with smart control,” emphasizes Bitkom Vice President Raab.
• Industry: In industrial manufacturing, up to 12.7 million tons of CO2 can be saved with accelerated digitization in 2030 – and 5.6 million tons with a standard digitization pace. A key technology is, on the one hand, automation in production, in which systems and machines, workpieces and their components are networked with each other and processes run independently with the lowest possible use of materials and energy. On the other hand, the so-called digital twin ensures significant CO2 savings: These virtual images of complete production and operating cycles make it possible for processes to be carried out on the digital object instead of on the real object – this means massive savings in material, energy and resources. Christina Raab: “With digitalization, the industry can face two urgent challenges at the same time: it will not only become more climate-friendly, but also faster and more efficient.”
• Transport: Up to 9.3 million tonnes of CO2 with accelerated digitalization and up to 3.5 million tonnes of CO2 with standard digitalization could be saved in the transport sector in 2030. The potential lies primarily in a digital transport network and digital traffic optimization, in which sensors on the road or GPS systems in cars provide real-time data that can be used to switch traffic lights, redirect traffic flows or increase public transport. Up to 5.5 million tons of CO2 can be saved in this way. Smart logistics that avoid empty truck runs and optimize freight routes are also an important lever.
• Agriculture: The production of fertilizers, among other things, requires large amounts of energy. A significant part of the fertilizer does not reach the plants in the field, but ends up in unplanted areas and often pollutes the groundwater. With the help of digital applicators and soil analysis, these undesirable effects can be drastically reduced by applying fertilizers precisely and precisely to the plants. A major effect can also be achieved in livestock farming. For example, digital animal husbandry systems can monitor the health status and feeding patterns of cattle or pigs. Not only can diseases be detected earlier, but above all methane emissions can be reduced. Overall, the use of the aforementioned technologies in agriculture can save up to 6 million tons of CO2 with accelerated digitalization and up to 3.5 million tons of CO2 with standard digitalization.

Related Article: European Commission Adopts New Regulation Eliminating 500 Million Tonnes of CO2-equivalent Emissions

“Digital climate protection is a huge opportunity for the German economy. In this way, companies maintain and increase their competitiveness and at the same time save CO2,” says Bitkom Vice President Christina Raab. 

“Companies that don’t yet have a digital strategy should set it up immediately and anchor it in top management. Above all: Companies should closely link their climate and sustainability strategy with their digitalization strategy.”

Politicians are also asked to support small and medium-sized companies in particular with consulting services and funding programs such as “Digital Now”. “This not only contributes to sustainability, but also makes the company fit for the future,” emphasizes Raab. Overall, digital measures must be taken up as a central component in all sustainability and climate measures and strategies. From Bitkom’s perspective, it is also important to accelerate the provision of green data. Publicly available data, for example on the environment, energy consumption or mobility, can generate environmental innovations, enable sustainable business models and promote more effective climate protection measures. Raab: “Reducing our CO2 emissions is a mammoth task: Germany has already achieved a lot since 1990 and has reduced its emissions by more than 40 percent, and its GDP has grown by 197 percent in the same time. Now it’s about the twin transition: a sustainable structural change that intelligently combines climate protection and digitalization.”