SUSTAIN-6G · SUSTainability-Advanced and Innovative Networking with 6G

SUSTAIN-6G will develop a holistic sustainability framework in the context of 6G, addressing all three sustainability areas (environmental, societal, economic), and factors impacting sustainable 6G technology and 6G technology for improving verticals’ sustainability. The framework will be applied to key vertical sectors, in an end-to-end manner, considering the full lifecycle of assets. SUSTAIN-6G will identify the cross-points between what sustainability needs are, which challenges 6G and verticals need to consider, what 6G should do to address these challenges, and how society and economy benefit from responsible innovation. To achieve this, the project will provide a driving force for multiple activities and a hub, to integrate research and innovation from previous and ongoing projects, develop innovative concepts and solutions, and address gaps and trade-offs in technology, processes and methodologies. The concepts and solutions will be validated and evaluated by proof-of-concepts on their sustainability impact and performance. The insights from these PoCs, and the proven processes and methodologies will be consolidated into guidelines, best practices and roadmaps to drive the full integration of sustainability aspects into future communication and vertical systems, in close collaboration with stakeholders and other SNS projects, and for use across the EU and beyond. The outputs and impact of SUSTAIN-6G will provide the foundation for industry-wide standardisation that will enhance existing ecosystems, help to shape a sustainable future that develops and thrives within planetary boundaries, and strives to protect and restore the environment, while respecting EU values and rules. Recognising the complexity and multifaceted characteristics of sustainability, SUSTAIN-6G will achieve these objectives through its multidisciplinary consortium, composed of 6G and vertical technology, social science, and economic experts, and with relevant external stakeholders.