Sustainable Development

— Empowering sustainable progress through next-generation wireless innovation.

The Sustainable Development WG (SDWG) advances environmental sustainability, societal development, and economic growth in a balanced and integrated way. The SDWG applies this focus to the future of wireless technologies, including 6G working to ensure these technologies are developed and deployed responsibly across North America. This includes minimizing environmental impact, promoting equitable societal outcomes, and supporting business models that make sustainability economically viable. The group takes a holistic approach, embedding sustainability principles throughout the 6G lifecycle and across its applications in critical industries and communities.

The Sustainable Development WG is focused on driving tangible impact by:

Enabling Sustainable Industry Transformation:
Identifying how 6G technologies can advance sustainability in key North American sectors such as energy, manufacturing, transportation, and agriculture by improving efficiency, resilience, and environmental performance.
Promoting a Sustainable 6G Lifecycle:
Advocating for end-to-end sustainability principles throughout the 6G lifecycle from design and deployment to operation and decommissioning to align with environmental, social, and economic development goals.
Shaping Global Sustainability Initiatives:
Monitoring international 6G sustainability efforts and contributing North American insights to help shape forward-looking policies and initiatives in global forums.
Accelerating Sustainable Innovation Models:
Evaluating emerging business models and economic frameworks that incentivize sustainability, including new value streams, investment strategies, and metrics for environmental and societal impact.
Advancing Equitable Access:
Exploring how 6G can expand access to essential services, close digital divides, and support innovation across urban, rural, and underserved communities.

The Sustainable Development WG is composed of experts from across North America representing a wide range of companies in the ICT industry as well as academia. We are brought together by a shared passion to make the world more sustainable for future generations.