Nature Positive: The Crucial Role of the Technology Sector in Sustainable Development
World Economic Forum Report Published on 4 December 2025
The technology sector, deeply integrated into everyday life, stands at a pivotal crossroads in addressing its environmental footprint and dependency on natural resources. According to a comprehensive report released by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with Oliver Wyman, technology companies face mounting challenges from climate change and biodiversity loss, while also holding significant potential to lead a nature-positive transition.
Technology’s Extensive Environmental Impact
The tech industry’s growth is remarkable yet resource-intensive. Over one trillion semiconductors are sold globally each year, fueling countless devices and systems. More than 11,000 data centres operate worldwide, managing a massive volume of activities—from streaming services to processing over two billion AI prompts daily. Despite this vast scale, the sector remains heavily dependent on scarce natural resources and vulnerable to the physical threats posed by extreme weather events, intensified by ongoing climate and ecosystem disruption.
Key environmental considerations highlighted in the report include:
- Water Usage: Semiconductor manufacturing consumes upwards of one trillion litres of freshwater annually, a critical concern in regions facing water scarcity.
- Energy Consumption: Data centres require more than 60 gigawatts of power, equivalent to California’s peak electricity demand, underscoring the tech sector’s substantial energy footprint.
- E-Waste: An alarming 60 billion kilograms of electronic waste are discarded yearly, but less than 25% of this is recycled, representing significant material loss and pollution risks.
The Path to a Nature-Positive Future
To achieve long-term viability and reduce nature-related risks, the report outlines seven priority actions for technology leaders. These strategies emphasize urgent intervention across water and energy efficiency, supply chain sustainability, and innovative policy approaches. Critically, the report presents a compelling business case: embracing nature-positive initiatives not only mitigates environmental impact but also unlocks financial benefits. Examples include recovering valuable metals for reuse in new products and cutting operational costs through reduced water and power consumption.
Unlocking Economic and Environmental Value
The report estimates that by integrating sustainable practices, the tech sector could generate up to $800 billion in value. This transformative potential aligns with broader global efforts to maintain ecological balance while fostering economic prosperity in accordance with planetary boundaries—a crucial goal as humanity confronts unprecedented environmental limits.
Furthermore, the responsible deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) can aid conservation efforts by enhancing transparency, ensuring equitable benefits, and supporting community-led ecosystem restoration projects.
Continued Engagement and Resources
The World Economic Forum encourages stakeholders, investors, and policymakers to engage with the report’s findings and recommended actions. The Forum’s commitment to sustainability is further reflected in related publications and initiatives, such as "Nature Positive Transitions: Sectors" and insights on the intersection of AI and nature protection.
For those interested, the full report, Nature Positive: Role of the Technology Sector, is available for download in PDF format under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License. Additional resources and related content can be found on the World Economic Forum’s official website.
About the World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum is an international organization dedicated to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas. The Forum’s mission encompasses promoting sustainable development and ensuring that technological progress supports planetary health.
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