2025-11-18 –, Bubenberg / Erlach
This talk draws from a landmark 2024 study by Resilio, conducted in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), EPFL, Swisscom, SwissICT and many others. It unveils the often-overlooked environmental and strategic impacts of digital technologies in Switzerland. From smartphones and telecom networks to data centers, these infrastructures contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and resource depletion. As Switzerland becomes a major player in AI and data hosting, this session calls for proactive strategies to mitigate the growing environmental toll of digitalization. Attendees will gain key insights into the study’s findings, policy implications, and potential paths toward a sustainable digital future.
In this session, Resilio presents key findings from its 2024 environmental impact study of digital technologies in Switzerland. The talk dissects the full lifecycle of digital infrastructures—user devices, telecom networks, and data centers—and their impact on climate change, mineral scarcity, and water toxicity. With over 5% of global GHG emissions and 10% of Swiss electricity usage tied to digital tech, the discussion highlights how Switzerland’s growing role in AI and data center hosting raises strategic concerns. The session concludes with a brief interactive exchange on how organisations, policymakers, tech leaders can respond to these urgent challenges.
