GeSI launches the Digital with Purpose Movement in Lisbon

Technology giants pledge to accelerate meeting the Paris Agreement and United Nation Sustainability Goals by 2030.


Published on: May 31, 2021 | Written by: Mark Evans

Technology giants pledge to accelerate meeting the Paris Agreement and United Nation Sustainability Goals by 2030.

Today, CEOs from many of the world’s leading technology companies joined the ‘Digital with Purpose Movement’ and signed a pledge to governments and policy makers to accelerate the realisation of the Paris Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Working in partnership with GeSI (Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative), CEOs from the group presented their shared ambitions to Portuguese President and President of the European Council, António Costa, European Commissioner President Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Parliament, David Maria-Sassoli and UN General Secretary, Antonio Guterres during the European Union Digital Assembly in Lisbon.

GeSI’s Movement consists of more than 40 leading technology companies, partnering with the international community, governments, industry associations, NGOs and third-party organisations to advance the ICT industry progress. The Movement is comprised of: APDC, Arabesque, Bell Canada, BOLD by Devoteam, Capitals Coalition, CDP, Cambridge Institute for Sustainable Leadership, CIRODD, Closing the Loop, CMAS Systems, CSCP, Cuatrecasas, Dassault Systèmes, Deloitte, European DIGITAL SME Alliance, EDP, ETNO, GeSI, Greener Intelligence, Huawei, Hyphen, InnoWave, The Internet Commission, International Telecommunication Union, NOS, NTT Ltd., NUMANA, .PT, P4TT, Ridley Scott Creative Group, SIBS, Superior Essex, Swisscom, Taiwan Mobile, Telstra, TIM, TM Ausbau, Unipartner, Vieira de Almeida, World Benchmarking Alliance, World Ocean Council, ZTE.

These CEOs have joined forces and believe in a world where technology, innovation and collaboration can transform the fortunes of our planet.

“For the ICT industry to meet the challenging targets of the Paris Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goals it requires visionary leadership and ambition, and I am honoured to be part of a movement that puts the future health of society and our planet as a priority. As we enter a fourth industrial revolution driven by 5G, AI, IoT and Big Data, sustainability becomes an even more critical element to our industry and those reliant on new technologies. While we are excited about our digital future, we have a responsibility to step up and ensure we deliver value to all parts of society in an open and transparent way,” commented Luis Neves, CEO, GeSI.

Good for business

With a mission to catalyse collective action across the ICT sector, Digital with Purpose is not about repackaging existing efforts or restating previously declared intentions - it is a race to the top. Where members share an ambition to create business value through radically accelerating the enabling power of digital technology, whilst minimising negative externalities that may arise.

The Digital with Purpose Movement provides the framework and roadmap to enable business leaders to accelerate their efforts in pursuit of a more sustainable strategy. Companies will be assessed and awarded a formal certification which will be measured annually to track performance against the framework. 

Luis continues, “If a business is not acting on its responsibilities to better society while being commercially viable, you must ask why. It must surely bring into question the priorities of the CEO, his/her leadership team and the purpose of the business. These are the questions we see increasingly being asked by employees, shareholders and investors and civil society who don’t want to be associated with businesses and leaders who have outdated practices.”

“To effectively tackle the health of our planet and inequality across society, it will take a big team effort. No one business or industry can go it alone. That is why the Digital with Purpose Movement exists. We call on all ICT businesses and relevant stakeholders to accelerate their impact and join us in transforming society for the better. The time for action is now!” 

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