Transparency, fairness, honesty. These values have been the guiding principles of the Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Alliance — now IDED — since its founding. On the occasion of its fourth anniversary, they are leading the way for a new, ambitious chapter.

At the General Assembly on June 15, 2023, Chairman Max Schulze presented the progress and impact of the past year — but clearly focused on the future and the question of how the organization's values can be concretely anchored in the digital sector.

Debate with direct impact

Over the past four years, IDED has established itself as an important voice in the debate on sustainable digital infrastructure. The SDIA roadmap has been adopted by over 100 organizations as a practical framework to identify and address sustainability gaps for digital infrastructure.

Dialogue and debates are at the heart of our work: Every event, workshop, and steering group brings together the best thinkers, innovators, engineers, and technical minds on a topic — whether it is about hydrogen, waste heat utilization, or the vision of a 'European Cloud.' The goal is always the same: collaborate, share knowledge, and drive sustainable change.

This approach has achieved direct political impact. Max Schulze pointed to the EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the German Energy Efficiency Act (EEG), which reflect IDED's positions. Central ideas such as the development of a European cloud for regional, sustainable development are also gaining traction.

A sustainable digital future needs dialogue

"Our vision: We co-create and synthesize a vision for a positive, sustainable digital future through discourse and dialogue."

The world is at a critical juncture: Technology is evolving faster than ever before, and new digital products and services are permeating all areas of life. This development makes it imperative to ask the right questions:

• Who should decide which products and services markets and societies need — and should these decisions be in the hands of large technology corporations?

• Are we on the right path to a sustainable digital economy?

• The growth of digital infrastructure increases the consumption of scarce resources. What does this mean for sustainability?

• If this is not the future we want: What does a positive digital world look like?

This is where IDED can add value: as a platform for dialogue that creates a vision for a sustainable digital future. The community has the independence, values, and experience to do this work.

How do we co-create a positive, sustainable digital economy?

"Translating discourse into recommendations for action is crucial."

To develop this new vision and roadmap, IDED will launch a new global think tank over the next nine months (Leitmotiv). As an independent knowledge entity, Leitmotiv focuses on shaping public debate around the digital economy and open dialogue — with a focus on digital sustainability research and concrete initiatives.

IDED is deeply committed to its members and supporters. The new think tank will be founded and operated independently, without corporate involvement. SDIA members are still welcome to contribute knowledge and support at IDED as organizational members — in the spirit of openness, these contributions will be published on the website. IDED will focus on research and consulting for the public sector and work on the concrete implementation of sustainable digital ecosystems and the development of digital infrastructure.

An exciting new chapter

"Co-creating a sustainable digital future through debate and policy."

IDED invites members, supporters, and partners to participate in roadmap or policy workshops so that best practices for digital sustainability can be shared.

Max Schulze concluded with the words: "As a public-interest organization, we strive for impact." In this new chapter, this means enabling debates and bringing together solutions that contribute to a positive digital future.