Summary

Sustainable computing policies around the world are designed to address the environmental impacts of information technology (IT) and promote energy efficiency, resource conservation, and ecological responsibility. These policies vary significantly across different regions, reflecting diverse regulatory approaches, technological advancements, and socio-economic priorities. The topic of sustainable computing is particularly notable due to the growing global reliance on digital technologies and the consequent need for strategies that mitigate their environmental footprint. The European Union (EU) has taken a comprehensive regulatory approach, establishing stringent directives and significant funding mechanisms to drive energy efficiency and decarbonization. Key policies such as the Energy Efficiency Directive 2023 mandate energy savings, frequent energy audits, and enhanced consumer rights, all aimed at achieving a decarbonized energy system by 2050

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. Complementing these efforts is the European Green Deal, which provides a robust framework for transitioning to a sustainable economy through legislative measures and financial support[3]

. These initiatives reflect the EU's commitment to stringent public sector accountability and comprehensive environmental regulation. In contrast, the United States leverages its innovation ecosystem and public-private partnerships to advance sustainability. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated technological adoption, with increased digitization and automation contributing to productivity and sustainability goals[4]

. Public-private cooperation has yielded innovative solutions like hybrid work models and large-scale retraining programs, emphasizing an inclusive economic agenda that considers a broad range of stakeholders[4]

. The US approach is characterized by its reliance on market-driven solutions and technological advancements, rather than stringent regulatory frameworks. A comparative analysis reveals that while both the EU and the United States prioritize sustainability, their strategies differ markedly. The EU's emphasis on regulatory measures and public sector involvement contrasts with the US focus on leveraging innovation and private sector collaboration. Both regions, however, underscore the importance of a collaborative approach involving various stakeholders to meet their sustainability objectives. Globally, other regions like Japan have also adopted unique approaches to sustainable computing. Japanese cities, for instance, have pioneered public-private partnerships to address urban challenges, transforming cities like Yokohama into leaders of smart city development[5]

. Such initiatives highlight the diverse methods through which different regions aim to achieve sustainable computing and underscore the global significance of these efforts.

Global Overview of Policies

European Union

The European Union (EU) has implemented several directives and policies aimed at improving energy efficiency and promoting sustainability. The revised Energy Efficiency Directive 2023 sets forth stringent measures, including the obligation for energy companies to achieve yearly energy savings of 1.5% of annual sales to final consumers and mandates large companies to conduct energy audits every four years

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. The directive also emphasizes consumer rights by ensuring easy and free access to real-time and historical energy consumption data[1]

. The EU aims to decarbonize district heating and cooling systems by 2050, with a progressive integration of renewable energy and waste heat and cold into these systems[1]

. Public sector bodies are required to reduce their combined total final energy consumption by at least 1.9% annually and renovate at least 3% of their heated and/or cooled buildings every year[2]

. Additionally, the directive introduces reporting obligations for data centres and defines measures to combat energy poverty[2]

. The European Green Deal further complements these efforts by acting as a comprehensive action plan that includes legislative measures, funding mechanisms, and collaborative efforts with member states, businesses, and civil society[3]

. Under this plan, the EU provides substantial funding through mechanisms such as the Just Transition Fund and the European Green Deal Investment Plan to ensure a fair and inclusive transition to sustainability[3]

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United States

The United States is at the forefront of technological innovation, particularly in areas like biotechnology and artificial intelligence, which hold significant potential for sustainability advancements

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. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of new technologies, with many companies increasing digitization and automation efforts[4]

. This trend could lead to productivity gains across various sectors, further bolstering the country's sustainability goals[4]

. Public–private cooperation has also been successful in the United States, fostering new solutions such as hybrid work models, digital finance, and large-scale retraining programs[4]

. The US Business Roundtable has revised its purpose statement to emphasize a more inclusive economic agenda, broadening its focus from shareholders to a wider range of stakeholders[4]

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Comparative Analysis

Both the EU and the United States have adopted multifaceted approaches to sustainability, though their strategies and specific policies differ. The EU has focused on setting regulatory frameworks and providing substantial funding to drive energy efficiency and decarbonization

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. In contrast, the United States has leveraged its innovation ecosystem and public–private partnerships to accelerate technological adoption and productivity improvements, which indirectly contribute to sustainability goals[4]

. While the EU emphasizes stringent regulatory measures and public sector accountability, the United States relies more on innovation and market-driven solutions. Both regions, however, recognize the importance of a collaborative approach involving various stakeholders to achieve their sustainability objectives.

Regional Policies

Japan

A key factor in the success of Japanese cities like Yokohama has been the creation of an environment conducive to public-private partnerships (PPP). Yokohama, which faced severe urban challenges in the 1960s, transformed into a leader of smart city development through collaborations among local government, the private sector, and citizens

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. Initiatives like the "Control, Project, and Design" slogan led to significant redevelopment projects that improved sewage systems, reduced air pollution, and enhanced infrastructure[5]

. This collaborative approach, documented in the Yokohama Development Knowledge Sourcebook, serves as a model for other developing countries grappling with similar urban issues[5]

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European Union

The European Union's 2030 Digital Decade Policy Programme aims to foster innovation and investment through a set of inclusive and human-centered objectives

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. This policy emphasizes secure and interoperable digital technologies that enhance EU principles, rights, and values, making digital services accessible to everyone across the region[6]

. Key goals include enhancing resilience, bridging the digital divide, achieving gender balance, and developing digital skills[6]

. Member States are encouraged to carry out multi-country projects (MCPs) in close cooperation with the European Commission, leveraging European digital infrastructure consortia as implementation mechanisms where appropriate[6]

. The decision to implement these measures has been effective since January 8, 2023[6]

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United States

The United States faces the challenge of pursuing sustainable, inclusive growth while addressing significant disparities and systemic issues. Closing gender and racial gaps presents a powerful opportunity for economic growth

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. For example, achieving gender parity in the labor market could add approximately $2.1 trillion to the GDP by 2025[4]

. Similarly, eliminating the wage gap for Black workers could boost their total wages by 30%, drawing an additional one million Black workers into employment[4]

. However, economic growth has been uneven, with a few megacities and high-growth hubs generating the majority of job growth, leaving trailing cities and rural areas behind[4]

. Public-private cooperation and technological adoption spurred by the pandemic have the potential to create a more inclusive economic agenda, as emphasized by organizations like the US Business Roundtable[4]

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Key Policy Components

Decentralization Initiatives

The development of centralized web-based platforms has brought significant economic and societal benefits, but it has also led to the concentration of power among a few web stakeholders. To counter this, decentralization initiatives like Solid, Digi.me, and ActivityPub have been proposed. These initiatives aim to give data owners more control over their data and create a level playing field that allows small companies and individuals to access data, thereby stimulating innovation. However, these initiatives often use access control mechanisms that fail to verify compliance with usage conditions post-access. To address this issue, a resource governance conceptual framework called ReGov has been proposed. ReGov facilitates usage control in decentralized web environments by integrating blockchain and trusted execution environments

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Legislative Compliance

Compliance with legislative frameworks is a crucial component for companies in ensuring adherence to legal obligations. Traditional legislative compliance tools typically examine each regulation in isolation, which can be limiting. A new flexible and modular compliance assessment framework has been proposed to support multiple legislations. This framework extends the Open Digital Rights Language (ODRL) to represent not only digital rights but also legislative obligations. This model allows changes to obligations to be automatically reflected in the compliance assessment tool, demonstrated effectively through the development of a General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance model

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Multi-Country Projects (MCPs)

To achieve digital targets and broader objectives, Member States of the European Union may undertake Multi-Country Projects (MCPs). These projects should be executed in coordination between the European Commission and Member States, leveraging European digital infrastructure consortia when appropriate. MCPs aim to foster public-private cooperation and technological adoption, spurred on by initiatives such as the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030. This programme, established by Decision (EU) 2022/2481, has been in effect since 8 January 2023

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Energy Efficiency Targets

The European Union has set ambitious energy efficiency targets that have evolved over time. Directive 2012/27/EU originally set a binding target of reducing energy consumption to no more than 1,312 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) of primary energy or 959 Mtoe of final energy by 2020. Following the UK's withdrawal from the EU, these targets were adjusted to reflect the remaining 27 Member States. The targets for 2030 aim for no more than 992.5 Mtoe of primary energy consumption and 763 Mtoe of final energy consumption. These targets are enforced through measures that include annual energy savings obligations and the enhanced 'gap-filling mechanism' to ensure countries meet their national contributions

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Inclusive Economic Agendas

In the United States, there is a growing emphasis on an inclusive economic agenda that benefits all stakeholders, not just shareholders. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for stronger state support and public-private cooperation. Technological advancements, such as digital finance and large-scale retraining programs, have been instrumental in this shift. Organizations, including the US Business Roundtable, have revised their purpose statements to focus on serving a broader range of stakeholders, thereby harnessing the economic dynamism present in minority communities

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