The ROLES project studied how mid-sized cities are digitalising their energy systems, as part of efforts to reach net zero. Surprisingly, it found that digitalisation is often happening in a way that makes social inequalities worse. This can decrease the perceived legitimacy and uptake of digital technologies—threatening cities’ ability to meet their net zero targets. To remedy this, ROLES found, policymakers should focus on making digitalisation more inclusive. ROLES has produced a policy toolkit that advises anyone working in the digitalisation space – from policymakers to activists to ordinary citizens – how they can do this.

More information about the project is here: www.sussex.ac.uk/business-school/research/centres-projects/roles