WEF report identifies the Need for Digitisation for Decarbonisation of Cities

Amelioration in sources of energy, electric transportation, etc., will not be enough to achieve net-zero by 2050 unless our cities and technologies are digitally linked for maximum effect.

In the recently circulated World Economic Forum report, the two leading CEOs of the Industries emphasised the importance of digitisation, and how it could play a crucial role in connecting urban areas, infrastructure and operations to optimise waste management practices and carbon emissions. 

This 'systemic efficiency' approach, as described by the study, could also improve city resilience to a variety of future climate threats.

The report was written by Francesco Starace, CEO and general manager of Enel Group, an oil and gas producer and distributor, and Jean-Pascal Tricoire, chairman and CEO of Schneider Electric, a supplier of automated digital goods.

Buildings and utilities, they predict, would be the main battlegrounds for decarbonizing our cities. Buildings account for 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with 30% coming from operations and 10% from infrastructure development or construction, a condition exacerbated by individual rather than collective emission reductions.

"With Climate Change conditions getting detrimental over time, further action on three fronts is needed," Starace and Tricoire said.

Renewable energy should account for most of the energy produced. 
A significant Electrification is needed for vehicles, public transportation, and heating.
From homes to Industries and from transport systems to consumer devices everything needs to be energy efficient. 

"An intelligent energy system, enabled by digitalization, is critical for integrating these activities and ensuring a successful transition."

Starace and Tricoire believe their 'systemic efficiency' initiative would also help the economy; according to a study by Rewiring America, a US national commitment to electrify all facets of the economy will generate 25 million jobs alone. Digital Twin 3D modelling software, such as Cityzenith's SmartWorldOS, is a key component of this integrated technology.

The company’s CEO Michael Jansen mentioned that although covering just 3% of the surface of the Earth, cities account for a whopping 70% of carbon emissions globally while pulling in 78% of the world’s primary energy sources, of which around 67.5% gets wasted.

Smart tech technologies like SmartWorldOS will help minimise these percentages by providing the required interconnectivity.

"We've provided custom climate adaptation applications to greenfield cities, real estate developments, and infrastructure projects using large data streams and cutting-edge AI. For those who plan, create, and manage cities, we understand the problems and have the tools to help them solve them."