Digitization is our best – if not only – tool to go from political decisions to action in due time

Two streams of change are shaping tomorrows societies: digitization and sustainability. This basic realization has led me to join cBrain A/S as climate advisor.

The battle to protect our climate and biodiversity is in desperate need of speed. cBrain has set out to help governments worldwide, deliver climate action faster as our contribution to The United Nations SDG 13: Climate Action.

 In climate change, humanity is facing its biggest challenge ever. Governments are developing their goals and actions plans every day. I take pride in having played my role in raising the bar for Denmark’s green ambitions in the political arena.

However, goals and plans will not save the planet – only action can. And digitization is our best – if not only – tool to go from political decisions to action in due time.

Simply put, the fight against climate change and global warming is driven and funded by government. Legislation and financial incentives constitutes a powerful toolbox. However, in my experience many time consuming problems occur when political decisions are to be implemented. Often it takes years to execute decisions due to bureaucratic delays, fueled by the lack of digitization and inefficient IT systems.

With the latest report from the UN’s climate panel, it became evident that we know what we need to do. And what a disastrous future is awaiting, if nothing is done. We simply do not have time for business as usual. We needed action yesterday.

Denmark is well known for our green leadership. Less known is that the United Nations e-government scoreboard puts Denmark on top in digital transformation of public administration.I am convinced that offering the world our expertise in combining the green leadership and the digital leadership is not only and opportunity, but a responsibility.

An opportunity to leapfrog from business as usual replacing bureaucratic delays and outdated ICT with standardized software that will bring climate action to life fast.

And a responsibility to share Danish experiences in effective climate bureaucracy which might be just was the world needs to speed up delivery on the most eminent problem we face: climate change.

We are eager to use our toolbox to help governments across the world achieve their targets in due time. Because we believe climate change is everybody’s business.

 Morten Østergaard