The EU Environment Ministers demand that the growth of digital technologies must be compatible with environmental and climate protection. IDED analyzed the Commission's report and identified specific intersections with its own roadmap.

IDED (formerly known as SDIA) evaluated the European Council's conclusions on the "dual challenge" of green and digital transformation and integrated them into its work.

Key insights:

• Data-driven decisions: The EU needs an industry-wide sustainability census for digital infrastructure. The European Environment Agency (EEA) could serve as the central body for data collection and analysis. Clear metrics must be defined before data can be gathered.

• Cross-border legislation: Sustainable digital infrastructure affects all EU member states. Environmental laws should encompass the entire digital industry regardless of location or national boundaries.

• Climate neutrality by 2050 as a framework: The six measurable metrics of the IDED roadmap — energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, resource efficiency, circular economy, pollutants, and economic viability — offer a universal language for assessment.

• Enhancing consumer awareness: A digital CO₂ footprint measurement system can reveal the true environmental costs of technology use to consumers and industry leaders.

The goals of the EU report largely align with IDED's work — a sustainable digital infrastructure by 2030 is achievable if transparency, data collection, and regulatory frameworks are consistently implemented.