A survey by the digital association Bitkom shows that digital solutions could reduce CO2 emissions by 120 megatons in ten years – this corresponds to almost every second metric ton of what Germany is supposed to save by 2030. The survey initially examines four fields that offer a particularly good CO2 saving effect: manufacturing, mobility, buildings, and work and business. Manufacturing offers the most potential: if digitization there happens rapidly, it could save up to 61 megatons of CO2 by 2030. At a moderate pace, the value is 35 megatons.

Two technologies play a key role here: (1) Automation technology connects systems, machines, work pieces and components so that processes run independently and reduce materials and energy use, and (2) digital twins generate significant CO2 savings because these virtual images enable test procedures on digital instead of real objects, which leads to enormous material, energy and resources savings.

“The faster and more consistently digital technologies are used, the more CO2 we can save in the future,” says Bitkom President Achim.”

Bitkom at HANNOVER MESSE