Integrated legal and technology assessment for sustainable data governance and regulation

Data plays an important role in realizing the socio-ecological potential of digitalization and in overcoming its environmental and sustainability challenges. However, so far, it remains rather vague how data regulation needs to be designed to support using data for the common good and to support sustainable development. Thus, so far, the steering options and potentials that data regulation could offer for sustainable development have not been sufficiently explored. One reason for this, is that a methodological approach for such an assessment is currently lacking.

The Ecornet-project on "Data Governance and Data Regulation for a Sustainable Berlin" aims to provide a methodological as well as analytical contribution to a better understanding of the potentials, but also challenges of data regulation for the implementation of sustainability goals. To better understand the impact of data regulation, the project develops a scenario-based methodological approach how different types of data regulation could impact the achievement of sustainability goals. This framework is particularly designed for the city of Berlin. This working paper presents a standardized methodology for this approach and describes the implementation of regulatory scenarios in four selected areas, namely mobility, sustainable economy, infrastructure, and health.