Many people want to live in a more sustainable way, but do not know what really saves resources. Digitisation can promote sustainability – but it also consumes a lot of energy.
●CONSUMERS –
THE GREAT RE-THINK: 79 per cent are rethinking their purchasing behaviour and placing more emphasis on social responsibility, inclusivity and environmental friendliness.
SUSTAINABILITY MAKES YOU HAPPY: 64 per cent of respondents say that buying sustainable products makes them happy.
SUSTAINABILITY STIMULATES EMOTIONS: 52 per cent say they have an emotional attachment to products or organisations that they perceive as sustainable.
● COMPANIES –
62 per cent have thought about the role that sustainability plays before incorporation.
91 per cent find it difficult to measure sustainability in order to derive any benefit.
55 per cent consider sustainability to be essential to their business model in 5 years.
● DIGITISATION –
POSITIVE CONSEQUENCES OF DIGITISATION: 75 per cent anticipate lower traffic volumes thanks to new services such as car sharing, working from home and video conferencing.
NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF DIGITISATION: 75 per cent anticipate an increase in e-waste.
●DIGITISATION – HIGHER ENERGY CONSUMPTION:
Digital technologies now account for 4 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, thereby placing them above civil aviation.
The energy consumption required for digital technologies rises by 9 per cent annually.
● KNOWLEDGE OFTEN LACKING: 78 per cent of consumers, despite their intention to be sustainable, are unaware that it takes 1,000 litres of water to make one chocolate bar.
● UNCERTAINTY REGARDING INFORMATION: Every second consumer lacks the information to check sustainability claims. Over 40 per cent do not trust the sustainability claims made by products.
● KEYS TO THE FUTURE – ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: 81 per cent welcome artificial intelligence as an important topic of the future and innovation, although the technology is far from established.
Illustration: Manuela Heins; Sources: Capgemini, Tech Founders und Akzente, Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt, The Shift Project 2019
