News Wrap Archive
Welcome to the DICE Network’s bi-weekly news wrap – your quick round-up of the latest developments, opportunities, and stories from across the digital innovation and circular economy landscape. Whether you’re catching up or staying ahead, this is your go-to source for what’s happening now.
News Wrap #4 - 3 October 2025
This week, major players like Amazon are advancing both AI-driven circular solutions and resale business models. A key development is the CE-RISE project’s work on digital product passports for electronics, now seeking consumer input to support transparency in reuse and repair. On the investment front, the circular economy received a boost with Una Terra’s €50 million venture fund. Meanwhile, progress is being made in measurement and reporting, as ISO and the GHG Protocol partner to unify emissions accounting standards, adding credibility to circular impact tracking. AI continues to be a double-edged sword — its energy demands are driving major renewable energy investments, while its capabilities are being used for environmental monitoring and emissions management.
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News Wrap #3 - 19 Sept 2025
The last two weeks have highlighted the dual nature of Artificial Intelligence in the sustainability transition. On one hand, the growing energy and water footprint of AI is a major concern, with companies like Salesforce adjusting climate targets due to emissions from AI-powering data centres and Amazon launching new partnerships specifically to tackle AI’s rising water demand.
On the other hand, AI is proving to be a critical enabler for circular solutions. We’ve seen the launch of AI-powered tools for calculating product carbon footprints, new funding for AI innovations in sustainable agriculture, and practical guides on how sustainability professionals can use AI prompts to improve their work.
News Wrap #2 - 5 Sept 2025
This week, the transition to a digitally enabled circular economy is gaining momentum but also facing scrutiny. The credibility of “carbon neutral” claims is under fire, with new EU rules challenging offset use and prompting companies like Apple to rethink their messaging. Global views on AI for sustainability vary, with Asia-Pacific showing strong optimism, while Europe and North America are more cautious. Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are investing in advanced nuclear energy to power AI infrastructure, signalling a move toward cleaner digital operations. On the ground, digital tools are improving recycling systems, with Wales piloting tech-enabled deposit return schemes and Coca-Cola exploring campus-based reuse models, all highlighting the growing role of digital innovation in circularity.
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News Wrap #1 - 22 Aug 2025
In this addition, the most significant news impacting our network is the introduction of new carbon credits specifically for electronics recycling and reuse, offering innovative financial mechanisms for circular tech. Furthermore, the focus on making digital infrastructure itself more sustainable is growing, with significant innovation in data centre cooling technologies crucial for the burgeoning AI sector. Finally, rapid advancements in AI models and infrastructure, including Oracle’s major deals with OpenAI and Nvidia, continue to redefine the technological landscape, presenting both opportunities and challenges for responsible innovation.
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Launched in January 2025, the Digital Innovation and Circular Economy (DICE) Network+ is an EPSRC-funded, three-year programme that seeks to leverage the digitalisation of industry to foster a circular economy across sectors and value chains for digital and communication technologies. Our Network+ comprises eleven investigators from nine UK universities, along with a breadth of academic, industry and policy partners.
