A new World Economic Forum report is challenging the global technology industry to rethink the way it expands, stating clearly that the sector’s future depends on how responsibly it manages the natural resources it relies on. According to the findings, tech companies could unlock as much as $800 billion in new value by 2030 if they shift towards nature-friendly business models. But if the industry continues operating with heavy environmental costs, it risks hitting major roadblocks ranging from community pushback to rising operational constraints.
The report, developed with Oliver Wyman, outlines a massive opportunity hidden in cleaner, more efficient production systems. A significant portion of this projected value comes from transforming how the industry sources energy and raw materials, through renewable power, smarter resource recovery, and more circular manufacturing of electronics. Additional value could be drawn from greener infrastructure, such as energy-efficient buildings and improved water systems, as well as from digital technologies that support restoration projects and more sustainable land use.
This potential forms part of a wider global opening, over $10 trillion in economic value available to businesses that align their operations with environmental regeneration. For the tech sector, the message is clear: profitability and sustainability now go hand in hand.
The report does not shy away from highlighting the environmental toll behind today’s booming technologies. Chip production consumes trillions of litres of water each year, while the world’s growing network of data centres already demands more electricity than some countries. The surge in demand for faster devices and cloud services is driving energy use even higher, and global e-waste continues to pile up, with only a small fraction currently recycled.
These strains expose tech companies to risks that could slow down innovation if left unaddressed. But the research points to proven solutions, expanding renewable energy, adopting energy- and water-efficient systems, redesigning products for recycling, and strengthening supply-chain collaboration. Some innovations are already delivering strong results, like liquid cooling systems that can significantly cut data-centre emissions and circular mining practices that reduce the need for virgin materials.
The report argues that companies choosing to invest in nature-positive strategies will gain more than environmental credibility—they will earn stronger support from local communities, reduce exposure to resource disruptions, and build business models that are more resilient to climate shocks. They will also be better aligned with what investors, regulators, and customers increasingly expect.
Industry experts involved in the study emphasise that the tech sector has both the influence and the capacity to lead this transformation. But the timeline is tight. With digital infrastructure expanding at unprecedented speed, the WEF stresses that the decisions made today will determine whether the sector grows sustainably or faces limits imposed by the very ecosystems it depends on.
In short, the future of technology will not only be defined by innovation, speed, or processing power. It will also be defined by how well the sector protects the natural world that makes all of it possible.
