Technology

The technology sector has a critical role to play in the transition to a nature-positive world – both through its direct impacts and dependencies on nature, and through those of consumers and businesses in other sectors. With products and services underpinning nearly every aspect of modern life, the sector is a key driver of innovation, productivity and connectivity. Demand for semiconductors, data centers and hardware is accelerating globally, with the semiconductor and hardware industries expected to grow by 6 to 8% annually and data center demand rising by 19 to 22% per year through 2030, driven by artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and digital transformation.

However, this rapid expansion comes with significant nature impacts and dependencies. The sector is a major direct consumer of natural resources, depending heavily on freshwater and critical minerals such as silicon and copper, all of which must be extracted or mined. It also contributes heavily to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, producing significant carbon dioxide and billions of kilos of electronic waste (e-waste) worldwide, with less than a quarter being formally recycled. 

The sector actions serve as a guide to transform business practices and value chains and ensure the technology sector plays its part in halting and reversing nature loss by 2030 - the mission at the heart of the Global Biodiversity Framework. 

The overview and report were led by Business for Nature and the World Economic Forum. 

Scroll down to access additional resources.

Priority actions and opportunities​

 Additional Resources