Since its establishment in 2014, the Arctic Green Computing Group (AGC) has researched sustainability in ICT and by ICT, targeting UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The AGC group has contributed toward achieving the SDGs through EU and national research projects in which the group is a co-principle investigator (co-PI).
With partners in EU project EXCESS (2013-2016), RCN FRIPRO project PREAPP (2014-2019), and RCN project eX3 (2017-2026), we have developed software tools that make computer systems more energy efficient, from edge devices to datacenters. Movidius, an SME partner in our EXCESS project, has integrated technology developed in the project into their standard development kit and hardware/software offering, and has been acquired by Intel at the end of the project. As computer systems via digitalization are an enabler to improve efficiency and innovation in all areas of society[1] and account for up to 4% of European carbon emissions[2], the results from our projects contribute to achieving SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production).
Our results of new sustainable technologies in ICT lead to impacts on sustainability by ICT via our follow-up projects such as EEA project HAPADS (2020-2024) and RCN project DAO (2017-2024). With partners in EEA project HAPADS (2020-2024), we have developed efficient cyber-physical systems (CPS) and low-cost smart sensor technologies for smart cities to tackle the air pollution challenges. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution places 99% of the global population at risk of developing various diseases and causes 6.7 million deaths each year. By integrating HAPADS in the air pollution monitoring system, the public gets better and potentially more actionable information to reduce exposure to air pollution and its adverse effects on health, especially for vulnerable population groups like children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people suffering from cardiorespiratory diseases. Limiting air pollution-related illnesses will positively impact the economy due to reduced healthcare costs and the loss of productivity caused by illness. With partners in RCN project DAO (2017-2024), we have developed energy-efficient CPS technologies for ubiquitous data and services covering the Arctic tundra. By providing researchers and the public with better spatiotemporal data, the DAO project helps better understand the climate effects on the Arctic tundra. Therefore, the results from our projects contribute to achieving SDG 3 (Good health and well-being) and SDG 12 (Climate action).
Our research promises future impacts on sustainability through our new EU project MISO (2023-2026). With partners in EU project MISO, we are developing sustainable smart CPS technologies for hard-to-reach areas with extreme conditions (e.g., Arctic and wetlands) to detect and quantify greenhouse gasses (GHS , e.g., carbon dioxide and methane). The MISO project contributes to achieving SDG 13 (Climate Action): improving the emission inventories as part of the environmental data observation measures reduces global warming that will impact Wetlands and the Arctic; SDG15 (Life on Land): using monitoring technologies from the MISO project improves the understanding of Wetland and Arctic ecosystems, therefore leading to the actions to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems; SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): monitoring greenhouse gases through the MISO project helps understand the high-latitude carbon budget to address climate change, which impacts climate actions and policy making, linking to urban planning, transport systems, waste management, disaster risk reduction, access which are all relevant issues to sustainable urban development. The MISO project also has a long-term impact on the digital transformation of the public sector, enabling the attainment of SDG 16 (Peace, justice, and strong institutions).
[1] https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/digitising-european-industry-initiative-nutshell
[2] https://www.ictfootprint.eu/en/about/ict-carbon-footprint/ict-carbon-footprint
