Nordic Network on Circular ICT

This network is dedicated to extend the lifespan of ICT equipent in public organisations, such as phones, PCs, deskops and other equipment. The goals are to mitigate emissions, cut public spending, and promote circular business development.

Overview

Part of Nordic project on Circular and Climate-Friendly Public Procurement

This is one of three networks in a Nordic project, funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers. Read more about this project.

Reducing Climate Impact in ICT

The ICT-area is an area with large potential for reduction in climate impact. In this sub-area of the project, ICT equipment includes purchase categories such as PCs and monitors, tablets, mobile phones, multifunction machines, AV-equipment and cloud services.

Nordic Circular ICT Dialogue Conference

In February 2022, we hosted the Nordic Circular ICT Dialogue Conference. Public buyers shared their upcoming ICT needs, while market players presented innovative solutions. This event catalyzed the creation of a network of ambitious purchasers committed to tackling the most pressing circular and climate-related challenges in the ICT sector in the Nordics. Our network convenes regularly, both in-person and online, to collaborate and share insights.

A dedicated sub-group is focusing specifically on cloud services. Furthermore, we have funded an innovative ICT procurement initiative currently led by Asker municipality on the development of a marketplace for sale of second-hand equipment. Loopfront won the tender, and the project resulted in more user-friendly design. Read Asker's report below.

Nordic Network on ICT

Led by Motiva, the Nordic Network on ICT includes the following partners:

Denmark: The City of Copenhagen
Denmark: The Danish State and Local Government Procurement Service (SKI)
Denmark: Kombit
Finland: The City of Helsinki
Finland: The City of Vantaa
Finland: Motiva
Finland: Tieke
Norway: The Norwegian Agency for Public and Financial Management (DFØ)
Norway: Asker Municipality
Sweden: The National Agency for Public Procurement
Sweden: The Swedish National Procurement Services

Goals

Increase cooperation and experience exchange across the Nordics
Increase knowledge on making more circular and climate friendly ICT procurements
Facilitate innovative ICT procurements

Latest activities

27–28.5 2024: Nordic Workshop on Greening ICT Procurement: Circular and Sustainable ICT Solutions in Copenhagen

Overview

Central government procurement, information and digitalisation bodies representing four Nordic countries, along with three sector leaders met to discuss Greening ICT in the Nordics, focusing on public procurement as key driver for success.

Despite the potential to reduce the ICT footprint by a whopping 85%, challenges in cybersecurity and policy adoption hinder progress towards the green transition. The group shared project updates, challenges, success stories, and recommendations for Green ICT. A key takeaway is that knowledge sharing among competent partners is crucial for overcoming circularity challenges in the ICT sector.

Hosted by SKI in Copenhagen and moderated by Motiva, the event is part of the Nordic Vision project Circular and Climate Friendly Public Procurement (CCFPP), and serves a key focus area of "Promoting Circular and Sustainable ICT Solutions in the Nordics".

[Manufacturing] just 3 new laptops produce nearly a tonne of CO2, which is equivalent to filling a bus or a house... What if we could remove that CO2 impact of buying a new laptop and purchase another way? Without doing anything else, this would help reduce the carbon footprint of buying a laptop by 85%.
Circular Computing

Participants

The Danish Agency for Digital Government, Digitaliseringsstyrelsen (DK)
The Danish State and Local Government Procurement Services, Staten og Kommunernes Indkøbsservice (SKI) (DK)
The Finnish Information Society Development Centre, TIEKE (FI)
Foxway
Inrego
Motiva (FI)
ThreeStepIT
The Municipality of Herning, Herning Kommune (DK)
The National Agency for Public Procurement, Upphandlingsmyndigheten (SE)
The Norwegian Agency for Public and Financial Management, Direktoratet for forvaltning og økonomistyring (DFØ) (NO)
The State Purchasing Centre, Statens inköpscentral (SE)

Agenda highlights

Kick-off with SKI and Motiva, setting the stage for a collaborative and informative workshop
Reviewing the Nordic Software Criteria with TIEKE and SKI, based on the following principles of Green ICT: Energy Efficiency, Resource Efficiency, Sustainable Design, and Responsible Design
Capacity building with SKI and Motiva introducing the significance of behavioral aspects in sustainable ICT and procurement
Sector Presentations and Case Studies by ThreeStepIT, Foxway and Inrego demonstrating presented low-threshold strategies for achieving an 85% reduction in ICT carbon footprint through secure and efficient procurement plans. The Municipality of Gladsaxe in Denmark was highlighted as the only municipality in the Nordic region to purchase used PCs
Brainstorming Session facilitated by ThreeStepIT, Foxway and Inrego where the group discussed strategies and methods to guide procurers and ICT managers toward making circular ICT decisions and overcoming preconceptions and myths of used ICT
Policy Recommendations and Outcomes were compiled into a policy brief for procurers and ICT managers, supporting their transition to a circular economy
Evening Program aimed at strengthening collaboration among the diverse Nordic group

21.11.2024: Morning Coffee webinar - Sustainable and Circular ICT and AI

On Thursday, November 21, 2024, we hosted a morning webinar focused on sustainable and circular ICT and AI. During the session, we highlighted key insights and developments from our work within the Nordic project.