Conclusion

The digital economy has grown significantly in recent years. Simultaneously, the threats of environmental degradation, climate change, and habitat loss loom larger than ever. While these appear at first to be distinct developments, they are interconnected. If the digital economy is to continue to thrive, it must do so within the paradigm of a green economy. In other words, it must focus on circular processes, sustainability, concern for equity within and across generations, and a thoughtful approach to the meaning and purpose of “growth.”

The five topic areas discussed in this paper serve to categorize broad topics and high-level considerations. Although each of these topic areas is discussed in distinct sections, in reality, they are intricately interconnected: green jobs of the future are a component of ethical technology, while foundations for a digital economy, like education and infrastructure, are key for developing Canada’s capacity for trade and investment in technology.

The Green Economy Coalition suggests that “by focusing on ‘nexus issues’ that link social, economic and environmental issues—such as health or entrepreneurship—decision makers can achieve multiple policy impacts.”222 This paper focuses on those nexus issues— areas in which the green economy and the digital economy interact and will likely see more interaction in the future. It lays the foundation for further research and action that can help make the digital economy greener and ensure that the green economy benefits from digital technology. Future research and action will take many forms: research and development to minimize carbon emissions and material resource use; labour market research that effectively forecasts green tech skills needs; the development of reskilling and upskilling programs to support career transitions and worker reallocation across evolving industries; and efforts to harness community voices and concerns (particularly from those most prone to the harms of climate change) in the development of green tech and policy.

ICTC’s next steps will be to convene taskforces that work toward building a greener digital economy. Along with the CIO Strategy Council, ICTC joins part of a growing movement of organizations that see the green and digital economies as complimentary forces in building a more sustainable world.

222 Mohamed, Namja, “Inclusion Matters Policy insights and lessons from the Green Economy Coalition’s national dialogues,” July 2020, Green Economy Coalition, https://www.greeneconomycoalition.org/assets/reports/GEC-Reports/GEC-Inclusion-Paper-Najma-July-2020-WEB-Final.pdf