Digital study and environment (7/7). Methodological framework and sources

The digital and environment study is a project to position Wallonia in terms of public mechanisms to be amplified and implemented in order to capitalize on technological advances to accelerate the environmental and circular transition. The article presents all the methodological steps involved in selecting sources for the literature review, international best practices and possible recommendations to the Walloon government.

The Digital Agency was tasked in 2021 by the Minister of Economy and Digital to conduct a study on the environmental and climate impacts of digital tools, with the aim of proposing recommendations within the framework of Digital Wallonia. This report is divided into several articles that present the different parts of the study:

Digital and Environment Study (1/7). Key Findings

Digital and Environment Study (2/7). Practical Guide to Successful Transformation

Digital and Environment Study (3/7). International Inspiration

Digital and Environment Study (4/7). Perceptions and Expectations of Walloon Stakeholders

Digital and Environment Study (5/7). Areas of Action for Wallonia

Digital and Environment Study (6/7). A Walloon Dynamic in Motion

Digital and Environment Study (7/7). Methodological Framework and Sources

Context and Importance of the Topic Ecology and digital transformation are two inseparable challenges. According to the European Commission, digital transformation is an essential catalyst for change. Digital technologies are crucial for achieving the objectives set by the Green Deal in terms of sustainable development, across a wide variety of sectors. They offer new perspectives for all actors in value chains, especially those considered as priorities, such as plastics, food, construction, etc. However, it is important not to overlook that the digital sector itself is a large consumer of energy and natural resources. Improving its performance in terms of energy efficiency and the circular economy is also a major challenge of the Green Deal.

A Positioning Project for Wallonia The digital and environment study follows the decision of July 16, 2020, by the Walloon Government to mandate the Digital Agency (AdN) to launch a "study on the environmental and climate impacts of digital tools and to come up with recommendations." The study is part of a positioning project for Wallonia on this topic and includes three major phases:

• An overview to establish the state of the art, categorizing positive and negative impacts, identifying key information and indicators, and creating a first mapping of foreign government actions and best practices.
• The proposal of action plans and policies for the short, medium, and long term.
• The development of specific themes adapted to Wallonia’s challenges.

Overview of the Literature Review The first phase of the digital and environment study references 78 sources from the literature review, which are categorized by:

• Scope: digital equipment analyzed, stages of the life cycle, application sectors, environmental impacts, time horizons, and specific technologies.
• Types of impacts analyzed using Hilty’s model: direct and indirect impacts, digital technology as a problem or a solution, balance between positive and negative impacts.
• Relevance in relation to strategies: S3, Green Deal.

Analysis of Walloon Stakeholders’ Expectations and Needs To enrich the literature review, consultations were conducted:

• Via a questionnaire: 117 respondents participated in the online survey. They were asked about their perceptions of the positive and negative environmental impacts of digital technology, opportunities for addressing Walloon challenges, and accelerating innovation and research, particularly in strategic innovation domains identified within the new S3 strategy.
• Via an online ideation workshop: 90 people attended the virtual workshop led by the Digital Agency (AdN) and the consortium. These participants represented 80 different Walloon organizations (public institutions, economic development actors, businesses, and researchers), offering a total of 148 ideas and recommendations. The workshop focused on the following aspects:
• Use of digital technology to accelerate the environmental transition.
• Opportunities for digital technology to improve health and quality of life.
• Opportunities for digital technology to support eco-design and new production models.
• Opportunities for digital technology in the energy transition.
• Opportunities for digital technology in the agri-food sector.