Written by Riad Hasan Badsha, Aushim Merchant, Fatima Rezaie, Arevik Martirosyan, Stella Teoh, and Phyo Thiri Lwin
Sustainable Development Goals and Internet Governance
The role of IG in the concept of the UN SDGs is indisputable. Despite the fact that ICTs are mentioned only in six targets and seven indicators and do not have a direct designation in the 17 SDGs themselves; they are transformative tools that can potentially improve the impact of development programs, empower communities and accelerate the achievement of the SDGs. Being the driving force of the development of states and their societies, the Internet and IG affect the achievement of absolutely each of the seventeen SDGs to varying degrees.
Confirmation of this can be seen in the ITU’s “Connect by 2030“, which highlights how technological advances in the next ten years will help to achieve the 17 SDGs faster. “The Connect by 2030 Agenda for global telecommunication/ICT development is focused on ensuring that technological progress contributes to accelerating the achievement of the UN SDGs by 2030“.
In the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the main thesis is that the expansion of the Internet can accelerate human progress and reduce the digital divide.
Let us take a look at the influence of the Internet on SDG 6. The development of the Internet and its elements as IG have formed the basis of new methods in the search for information about access to water. For example, NextDrop is a mobile application used in India to disseminate information to users about interruptions in the supply of local tap water. It has become a key partner of utility companies in the cities where they operate and is increasingly becoming an integral part of the provision of services, providing visibility and analytical information necessary to provide the best possible service within the constraints of infrastructure. It also has a positive effect on SDGs 9, 11, and 12.
The example above shows the underestimated potential and the increasing role of the Internet in achieving the SDGs. Despite the existence of negative consequences of the Internet for sustainability, which can be levelled over time through their study and search for solutions, the effective use of the Internet contributes to the implementation of each of the 17 set SDGs in various areas, ranging from the use of the Internet to inform the population and ending with the establishment of dialogue.
Universal Acceptance Will Enable More Inclusion on Internet and Internet Governance
Diversity, Inclusion, and Sustainability are crucial aspects of the Internet and Internet Governance. They are essential for promoting equal access to opportunities, a healthy and secure online environment, and reducing the negative impact of the Internet on the environment. This case study will examine how the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), and Cloudflare are working to promote diversity, inclusion, and sustainability on the Internet.
The SDGs are a set of 17 global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030. Goal 9, “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation,” is particularly relevant to the Internet and Internet Governance. It highlights the importance of developing and maintaining infrastructure that supports sustainable and inclusive economic growth. In the context of the Internet, this means promoting equal access to online opportunities and reducing the environmental impact of the Internet.
ICANN, the non-profit organization responsible for managing the Internet’s domain name system, is working to promote diversity, inclusion, and sustainability through its Universal Acceptance initiative. Universal Acceptance is a global effort to ensure that all domain names and email addresses are accepted, processed, and displayed consistently across all systems and applications, regardless of their script or characters. This will make it easier for people from all over the world, including those from non-Latin scripts, to participate in the online world and access online opportunities. The Universal Acceptance initiative also promotes linguistic diversity and multilingualism on the Internet, which is essential for ensuring that the online environment is inclusive and accessible to all.
Cloudflare: 100% Renewable & Zeroing Out Emissions
Cloudflare, a leading content delivery network and cybersecurity provider are committed to promoting sustainability on the Internet. The company has set a goal of becoming 100% renewable, which means that all of its energy consumption will come from renewable sources. Cloudflare has also pledged to zero out its emissions, which means that it will offset any emissions it cannot eliminate through renewable energy by investing in carbon removal technologies. This will help to reduce the environmental impact of the Internet and ensure that it is more sustainable.
Cloudflare is also committed to promoting diversity and inclusion on the Internet. The company has implemented a number of policies and programs aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion, including a comprehensive diversity and inclusion policy, employee resource groups, and diversity and inclusion training programs. Cloudflare also has a strong commitment to equal pay, which means that all employees, regardless of gender or race, are paid the same for the same work. This helps to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace and ensures that everyone has equal access to opportunities.
In conclusion, the Internet has the potential to be a powerful tool for promoting diversity, inclusion, and sustainability. The SDGs, ICANN’s Universal Acceptance initiative, and Cloudflare’s commitment to 100% renewable energy and zeroing out emissions are all critical steps toward realizing this potential. By working together, we can ensure that the Internet is accessible and inclusive for everyone and that it is more sustainable for the planet. This will help to create a more equitable, secure, and sustainable online environment for all. Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to access the Internet and to use it to improve their lives and societies. The strength of the open Internet is the ability of its users to shape the Web itself and thereby shape society. Like society, the Internet grows stronger with every new voice. But there are many barriers that prevent the full diversity of the world from being reflected online. More than half of the world is still without the Internet, and even people who do have access may be limited by factors like high cost, unreliable connections or censorship. Language is also a barrier, since Web content is predominantly in English, even though people who don’t speak English outnumber those who do. There are other ways technology is skewed to reflect the unconscious biases of its creators‘ thanks to years of inattention to diversity. Take for instance, how algorithms can perpetuate racial stereotypes in targeted advertising, or how languages like Hindi, Urdu, and Bangla are difficult to type on a standard computer keyboard.