The digitalisation of our lives is one of the 21st century’s biggest trends. What does this mean in concrete terms for ecology and justice? Will more “digital” lead to a smart green world where everyone benefits from technological progress? At the same time, will we treat the environment more carefully? Or are we heading towards a digital turbo-capitalism in which a few hold money and power in their hands and the economy grows even further beyond planetary boundaries? How can we harness the much-discussed disruption potential of technology in a sustainable way? How can digitalisation be shaped to become a driving force for social transformation?

In their book "Smart Green World? Making Digitalization Work for Sustainability", Steffen Lange and Tilman Santarius analyse the social and ecological impact of digital technology on energy and resource use, consumption, jobs, inequality and economic growth. The authors show how we can shape digitisation in a different way - to make the world more social and greener.

Further information here

11:30-11:35: Introduction

11:35-12:10: Discussion with:

• Jennifer Baker, EU Policy Journalist, Brussels
• Ilias Iakovidis, Advisor for Societal Challenges at the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT), European Commission, Brussels
• Steffen Lange, Postdoctoral researcher at the Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW), Berlin
• Jagoda Munić, Director Friends of the Earth Europe, Brussels (tbc)
• Tilman Santarius, Professor at the Technical University of Berlin and the Einstein Centre Digital Future, as well as Senior Fellow at the Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW), Berlin

Moderation: Zora Siebert, Head of EU Policy Programme, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union, Brussels

12:10-12:30: Q&A

Working language: English

Please register here.

If you have any questions, please contact Anna Trzcinska.

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