As COP30 (10–21 November) unfolds in Belém, Brazil, one of the most intriguing storylines emerging is the rise of digital technology as a mechanism for climate action and sustainable development. Digital innovation is now central to how nations and businesses plan, track, and accelerate their sustainability goals.
Announced on 11 November 2025, during the opening days of COP30, the Green Digital Action Hub (GDA Hub) is set to become the nerve centre of Green Digital Action, a partnership started by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) with leading tech organisations at COP28 in 2023, and builds on the COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Action endorsed last year by 82 countries and almost 1,800 organisations.
Anchored in Brazil, the GDA Hub is backed by a coalition of international partners including the ITU, UNITAR, World Bank, and the European Green Digital Coalition. Its governance model (led by an International Advisory Board chaired by Brazil) aims to ensure that digital climate solutions are inclusive, equitable, and aligned with local priorities. This reflects Brazil’s broader push at COP30 to centre the Global South in climate leadership, not just as beneficiaries, but as co-creators of innovation.
As suggested, digital tools are now indispensable to track climate change, boost energy efficiency, enhance re-use of critical minerals and optimise low-carbon solutions across numerous industries. The GDA Hub will aim to identify practical measures to address climate challenges, both through “greening digital" itself and “greening by digital" in other sectors.
Key focus areas will include:
· Tracking emissions and e-waste: Launching an open-access portal to monitor greenhouse gas emissions, reductions, and e-waste data from tech companies and countries.
· Mapping national goals: Identifying green digital targets, strategies, and enablers, particularly within climate pledges (Nationally Determined Contributions) linked to the Paris climate accords.
· Scaling solutions: Supporting innovation and technology transfer to help countries adopt and expand green digital strategies.
· Accelerating decarbonisation plans: Serving as the implementation hub for the Digital Decarbonisation Plan to Accelerate Solutions (PAS) under the COP30 Action Agenda[i].
In a press release, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ITU Secretary-General has said: “Digital technologies are some of the most powerful tools we have to create sustainable solutions on a truly global scale. The Green Digital Action Hub offers a unique space for governments, industry, and stakeholders to work together, and ensure that digital innovation delivers real, tangible benefits for communities everywhere."[ii]
Other Green Digital Action highlights at COP30 include progress updates on a global database to track tech-related emissions, and the release of a policy brief on digitalisation plans in national climate pledges. Artificial Intelligence has also taken centre stage, with winners announced for two AI-focused competitions:
These competitions reflect growing momentum to ensure AI not only accelerates climate solutions but also accounts for its own environmental footprint, a critical step toward sustainable digital design.
References
[i] Press Release
[ii] Ibid
Lauren has extensive experience as an analyst and market researcher in the digital technology and travel sectors. She has a background in researching and forecasting emerging technologies, with a particular passion for the Videogames and eSports industries. She joined the Critical Information Group as Head of Reports and Market Research at GRC World Forums, and leads the content and data research team at the Zero Carbon Academy. “What drew me to the academy is the opportunity to add content and commentary around sustainability across a wealth of industries and sectors.”
