In terms of their approach to environmental issues, there are some experts who take a “high technology” position. In their view, new technologies are key to solving environmental problems. They are convinced that the future of ecology lies in the use of advanced technologies ranging from remote sensing and online monitoring of environmental conditions to digital twins of natural ecosystems of any complexity level.

On the other hand, other, more skeptical environmentalists take the view that overall the harm done by technological development outweighs any good that environmental technologies can bring. In their view, technological development pollutes the environment by requiring the use of more and more different types of raw materials while destroying natural ecosystems. This is an ongoing debate, in which the interesting concept of “Low-Tech” has emerged. This approach is essentially aimed at curbing technological development.

• Can ecology and technology be compatible? Is it possible that the future of humanity will not be related to advanced technologies? Perhaps the future will be low-tech? How can we begin on the path towards sustainable development?
• How can we find a balance between environmental technologies and development technologies for different sectors of the economy? What role can ESG principles play?
• How does Russia plan to use the potential offered by digital technologies to address environmental and sustainable development issues?
• Which industries and technologies have the potential to become drivers of sustainable development in the coming years and decades?