Introduction
Heat records are broken every year, and the IT industry alone generates 900 megatonnes of CO₂ annually—seven times the emissions of the Netherlands in 2023. While technology is often seen as a solution to the climate crisis, it is also a significant contributor. To truly address the climate emergency, we must repair our relationship with the earth and rethink how we design and use technology.
The Project: Designing Regenerative Technologies
Waag Futurelab, in collaboration with Willem de Kooning Academy, Critical Infrastructure Lab, Greenhost, and the Zoonomic Institute, is investigating the relationship between technology and our planet. The project, “Designing Regenerative Technologies,” aims to develop technology that is in balance with the planet, aligning with the principles of permacomputing.
What is Permacomputing?
Permacomputing is a movement that challenges the dominant trend of ever-increasing computing power, bigger screens, and more pixels. Instead, it advocates for:
- Technology with a long lifespan
- Reduced energy consumption
- (Re)using existing devices and components
The goal is to create digital systems that are sustainable, resilient, and regenerative, rather than extractive and wasteful.
Collaboration and Community
The project invites designers, hackers, makers, and artists to collaborate on regenerative tools and ideas. If you have a concept or want to get involved, you can contact Ola Bonati at Waag.
Methodology: The Public Stack
Using the Public Stack, the team analyzes the ecological footprint of technology and explores how digital systems can become a sustainable part of the planet. The project asks: What choices are currently being made in technology development, and how would those choices change if ecological impact was the primary consideration?
Project Details
- Duration: 1 Jan 2024 – 30 Apr 2026
- Team: Judith Veenkamp, Maro Pebo, Sylke van Duijnen, Emma Schep, Anne Wijnen, Ola Bonati, Floortje Willemse
- Partners: Critical Infrastructure Lab, Willem de Kooning Academie, Het Zoönomisch Instituut, Greenhost
- Financiers: CLICKNL (PPP allowance of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate)
Further Reading
- Position paper: Designing Regenerative Technologies (PDF)
- Hello world: a new starting point for regenerative technology
- Warming Up festival 2025: Regenerative technology
- Position paper: towards regenerative technology
- Designing Regenerative Technologies: The Demonstrator
Conclusion
Designing regenerative technologies is about more than reducing harm—it’s about creating systems that actively restore and sustain the planet. By rethinking our approach to technology, we can move towards a truly sustainable digital future.