Introduction

The report examines how the digital and green transitions are interdependent and argues that neither can succeed in isolation. It frames climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation as existential risks, while noting that digitalisation is accelerating regardless of policy intent. The central question is how digital research can be steered to support environmental sustainability rather than undermine it.

The twinning of the twins

This chapter defines the “twin transition” as the mutual reinforcement between digital and green transformations. Digital systems shape energy use, consumption patterns and societal behaviour, while environmental constraints increasingly determine the direction of digital development. The report stresses that publicly funded research is essential to guide digitalisation towards public-good outcomes, counterbalancing commercially driven technologies that may increase emissions or resource use.

A climate-friendly digitised society

Digital infrastructure already accounts for more than 10% of global energy consumption, comparable to aviation, with roughly 30% from end-user devices, 30% from data centres and 40% from networks. Global data production reached 74 zettabytes in 2021 and is expected to double by 2025. The report highlights the need to green digital technologies through energy-efficient processors, algorithms, data storage and networks, and through siting computing infrastructure near renewable energy sources. It emphasises actions such as green high-performance computing, edge computing to reduce data volumes, data sharing to avoid duplication, and improved recycling of digital equipment and rare minerals.

Digital research enabling the green transition

Digital research underpins climate science, biodiversity monitoring and environmental modelling. High-performance computing and data science enable climate projections and inform IPCC assessments, while machine learning improves weather forecasting, energy system optimisation and pollution monitoring. The report identifies priority research areas including data science, artificial intelligence, digital twins, connectivity sciences, energy informatics, sensor technologies, robotics and quantum computing. It also stresses the importance of explainability, uncertainty management and ethics as digital tools increasingly influence environmental decision-making.

Twin transition interdisciplinary actions

The energy transition requires digital solutions to integrate variable renewable energy, manage storage and balance supply and demand across interconnected grids. Research is needed to support smart buildings, cities and transport systems, ensuring energy efficiency without increasing consumption through rebound effects. The report also addresses nature protection, highlighting the role of sensors, satellites, drones and digital twins in monitoring ecosystems, forecasting risks and guiding restoration efforts. A just transition is emphasised, requiring research into social acceptance, behavioural change, governance, and reducing digital and green divides across regions and populations. Interdisciplinary collaboration across STEM and social sciences, arts and humanities is presented as essential.

Concluding remarks

The report concludes that Europe’s ambitions for climate neutrality and sustainable growth depend on significantly increased, long-term investment in research and innovation. It argues for coordinated policies linking digital and green strategies, potentially through a single twin transition framework. A balance is recommended between fundamental, curiosity-driven research and applied, mission-oriented programmes. Without sustained public investment and strong research governance, digitalisation risks slowing rather than enabling the green transition.