Session documents

The Digital Economy Report is the flagship publication of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) related to the development implications of digitalization. The 2024 edition turns attention to the environmental footprint of digitalization in the context of trade and development, a topic that has been understudied. It discusses environmental impacts along the life cycle of digital devices and ICT infrastructure, including raw material extraction and processing, manufacturing, distribution; use and the end-of-life phase. The Report also includes a chapter dedicated to e-commerce. The session will present global trends and explain the digitalization and environmental sustainability nexus, discuss policy options while underscoring the importance of ensuring inclusive outcomes.

By the end of the short course, Geneva-based delegates are expected to have gained knowledge on:

• Main environmental impacts of digitalization
• Good practices in terms of assessing the environmental impacts of digitalization
• The environmental dimensions of digitalization and how they affect countries at different levels of development
• Development opportunities that emanate from environmental sustainability and inclusive digitalization
• The role Governments and other stakeholders can take on to ensure sustainable and inclusive outcomes from digitalization
• How can the voices and concerns of developing countries be better reflected as the world develops its responses to digitalization

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