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Blockchain technologies: Digital innovations to enable climate action

Blockchain is a powerful tool that can significantly improve the transparency, accountability and traceability of greenhouse gas emissions. It helps companies provide more accurate, reliable, standardised, and readily available data on carbon emissions.

Blockchain can be utilised through smart contracts to better calculate, track and report on the reduction of the carbon footprint across the entire value chain. It can provide instant authentication, verification of real-time data and clear data records.

Blockchain technologies can transform individual efforts of companies into a networked effort. And, it can clearly pinpoint the contributions individual actors make to reduce their carbon footprint. The spirit of competition and market-based incentives create a win-win situation for all.

Clean technology startups play a critical role in this process. They develop blockchain-enabled platforms that bring together all stakeholders, including companies, government and citizens.

The decentralised approach of blockchain provides both breadth and depth. It engages and enables everyone to participate in the calculation. It allows for tracking and reporting of reductions in greenhouse gas emissions along the entire supply chain, including manufactures, suppliers, distributors and consumers.

Innovations in blockchain technologies are powerful enablers for collective action to fight climate change. Recognising the unique value of clean technology startups in this process is of great importance. Public and private investors are starting to take notice of their unique value.

Key activities

Some steps the EU is taking to harness blockchain for climate action include:

• promoting the development and adoption of blockchain technologies best suited to overcome the tragedy of the commons and incentivise actors to reduce their carbon footprint and consider the societal impact of their actions;
• developing technical assistance and investment programs that support blockchain-based digital innovations that contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation;
• accelerating blockchain-based solutions that establish a network between suppliers and consumers, moving beyond the individual to include all societal stakeholders;
• supporting sustainable finance initiatives and promoting the use of blockchain-enabled technologies for financing climate actions through green bonds, fintech solutions and alternative finance mechanisms;
• supporting EU countries and national government agencies to collaborate in the development and adaptation of blockchain-based solutions that support climate actions and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions;
• developing partnerships with strategic partners, including UN agencies and international financial institutions, such as the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development;
• supporting the strengthening of the clean technology innovation ecosystem in Europe and improve access to finance for clean technology startups and small and medium-sized enterprises.