Loughborough experts help shape landmark World Economic Forum reports on digital decarbonisation

Professors Tom Jackson and Ian Hodgkinson stand in front of the Loughborough Business School building.

Loughborough University’s Digital Decarbonisation leads, Professors Tom Jackson and Ian Hodgkinson, have played a key role in shaping three major World Economic Forum (WEF) reports that informed discussions at the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos earlier this month.

The reports address one of today’s most pressing challenges: how to balance the rising energy and environmental costs of digital technologies, particularly AI, with the demands for economic growth.

The first paper, From Paradox to Progress: A Net Positive AI Energy Framework’, introduces a practical framework to support more efficient AI design and deployment, helping industry and policymakers guide AI growth in an energy‑aware and strategically resilient way.

The second report, ‘Nature Positive: Role of the Technology Sector’, outlines seven priority actions for reducing technology’s environmental footprint, highlighting opportunities in resource efficiency, circular design and responsible sourcing that could unlock up to $800 billion in value by 2030.

The third white paper, ‘Rethinking AI Sovereignty’, presents new pathways for nations to build AI competitiveness through strategic investment and infrastructure choices, advocating collaborative approaches over rigid self-sufficiency.

Together, these reports strengthen global efforts to harness digital innovation while reducing environmental impact for global economic prosperity.