The Context: Rising Resource Demand and the Need to Rethink Material Flows in a Digital Economy
The global shift toward electrification and digitalisation is transforming economies, societies, and infrastructure. From electric vehicles and smart buildings to the proliferation of AI-powered applications and cloud-based services, electronics are becoming embedded in every aspect of daily life. Underpinning this transformation is a rapidly expanding digital infrastructure comprising data centres, telecommunications, and semiconductors that demands vast amounts of materials and energy.
As the integration of electronics deepens, so too does the urgency to address its resource and environmental implications. The demand for critical raw materials (CRMs), semiconductors, and battery metals continues to grow, while product life cycles shorten and volumes of electronic waste increase. By 2030, global e-waste is projected to exceed 82 million tonnes per year (Global E-Waste Monitor, 2024) , a substantial portion of which will remain unrecycled or improperly managed.
Managing the material flows of this digital economy presents both a challenge and an opportunity. There is a growing focus on circularity strategies aimed at reducing dependency on primary raw materials and minimizing environmental impacts. Recycling technologies are advancing, and some resource extraction companies are expanding into resource recovery activities, positioning secondary raw materials as a key component of future supply.
However, the implementation of circular electronics is complex. Barriers include the design of devices that hinder repair and recycling, difficulties in sorting and collecting e-waste, and the lack of harmonised policies and standards across regions. In sectors such as digital health, strict regulatory requirements limit the potential for reuse and remanufacturing, making effective recycling systems even more critical.
Sustainability at the Intersection of Material and Energy Use
Beyond material use, electronics also carry a substantial energy footprint. The growing deployment of AI systems, electric vehicles, and connected infrastructure is increasing electricity consumption and placing new demands on power grids. Data centres alone account for a significant share of global energy use—and are set to grow.
Balancing digital and energy transitions therefore requires integrated strategies. Efforts to promote sustainable electronics must account for both material and energy efficiency, addressing the full life cycle of electronic devices and infrastructure.
Purpose and Goals
This panel will explore forward-looking strategies to ensure sustainability in electronics and digital infrastructure. It will examine how innovations, policy frameworks and consumer behaviour can reduce resource pressures while supporting the energy and digital transitions.
Topics for Discussion
- How can we manage the rising energy demands of AI, EVs, and digital infrastructure alongside resource use?
- How effective are current circular business models in the electronics sector?
- What is the potential of secondary raw materials to become a reliable, scalable feedstock for the electronics and battery industries – and what barriers remain?
As the digital economy continues to expand, it is essential to ask: Can we build a sustainable digital future without rethinking the resource foundations that support it?
About the Panel
This panel will feature expert voices from industry, science, and international organizations, offering interdisciplinary perspectives on how to align electronics innovation with long-term sustainability.
Panelists:
Dario Liguti, Director Sustainable Energy Division, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe UNECE
Inga Petersen, Executive Director, Global Battery Alliance
Yves Bayon, Distinguished Scientist, Medtronic
Susanne Yvonne Karcher, Co-Founder, African Circular Economy Network (ACEN)
Moderated by:
Pascal Leroy, Director General, WEEE Forum
Join us at WRF25, where leading voices will come together to chart sustainable pathways for electronics and digital innovation.