Sustainability Task Force of the SNS JU Technology Board

Anastasius Gavras
Eurescom GmbH

The Technology Board (TB) of the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) oversees and supports the technical work of SNS Projects and the implementation of the SNS-Initiative. It organizes technical meetings, workshops, and the publication of reports and white papers. It can create Task Forces to address specific technical challenges. One of the most important task forces is the Sustainability Task Force, which was created in 2023.

Introduction

In the realm of technology-focused projects, there is a noticeable gap in addressing the social and economic sustainability aspects of project innovations. Most technology projects tend to equate environmental sustainability solely with energy efficiency, overlooking other important aspects. To bridge this gap, it is essential to manifest and simplify sustainability aspects for target setting, especially for projects with low Technology Readiness Levels (TRL).

Key Value Indicators

One of the significant challenges lies in developing use cases that are oriented towards sustainability values. Currently, most use cases are driven by technological advancements rather than sustainability goals. The Societal Needs and Value Creation (SNVC) sub-group of the Vision work group of the 6G Infrastructure Association (6G-IA) defined a process for the derivation of Key Value Indicators (KVIs), which aims to integrate sustainability metrics. However, this process is often perceived as complex and dependent on external experts, making it difficult for low TRL projects to follow. Additionally, these projects do not adequately cover the operational phases included in the SNVC process.

For effective outcome evaluation, it is necessary to establish consistent and comparable measurements across projects. Without this, it becomes challenging to compare KVIs across different use cases, hindering the ability to provide feedback for better design of common 6G technology enablers. Collaboration with the SNS-JU work group on Test Measurement and KPI Validation, for use case and KVI collection as well as baseline setting could enhance cross-project dissemination and ensure the longevity of KVIs.

Design 6G for Value

As we design 6G for high-end applications and use cases, it is imperative to address issues of equity, access, affordability, and empowerment in social and economic sustainability worldwide. Policy and regulation must go hand in hand with technological advancements to achieve sustainable outcomes. Unfortunately, most projects currently lack considerations for policy and regulation.

To embed sustainability into the core of research and development projects, “Sustainability by Design” needs to be established as a standard process. This approach requires a holistic systems perspective, taking into account the feedback loops among environmental, social, and economic domains. By doing so, we can ensure that 6G technology not only meets technical performance targets but also contributes positively to societal and environmental goals.

Energy savings and GHG emissions

While energy efficiency and savings are well-understood and prioritized in most projects, achieving real environmental impact requires a broader approach. One aspect is the increased use of renewable energy sources. This shift should be tracked through the carbon intensity of the energy used, ensuring that the energy powering our technologies is as clean as possible.

Additionally, it is essential to manage traffic load and capacity to prevent disproportionate increases, known as the rebound effect. Without careful management, improvements in efficiency can lead to higher overall consumption, negating the environmental benefits.

Infrastructure expansion must also be approached with a focus on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and promoting circularity. This means designing infrastructure that not only minimizes emissions during construction and operation but also considers the entire lifecycle, including reuse and recycling of materials.

Furthermore, we must consider the feedback loops between social and economic sustainability. This holistic perspective ensures that technological advancements contribute positively to society and the economy, creating a balanced and sustainable future.

By addressing these additional aspects, we can turn energy efficiency and savings into tangible environmental impacts, paving the way for a more sustainable world.

Conclusion

The Sustainability Task force of the SNS-JU TB has undertaken a monumental task, addressing the multifaceted challenges of integrating sustainability into our technology projects. This endeavour encompasses environmental considerations but also social and economic sustainability, requiring a comprehensive and holistic approach.

Despite the enormity of this task, there is great confidence in the task force’s ability to deliver impactful results, especially as an increasing number of SNS-JU projects take a broader perspective to sustainability, like the Sustainability Lighthouse project, SUSTAIN-6G .

The task force’s approach is methodical and well-structured, ensuring that every aspect of sustainability is meticulously addressed. It is actively embracing collaboration with various stakeholders, fostering a culture of shared responsibility. This collaborative spirit is essential for achieving the ambitious goals set forth.

Further information