Interplay between EU Green Digitalization and "ReArm Europe" : Potential Catalytic Role of Networked Local Initiatives

Abstract

The Paris Agreement, based on achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, served as a compromise, replacing approaches such as "leaving fossil fuels in the ground" or establishing post-growth trajectories. Growth and profit-driven deployment trends have also turned technology into a driver of the climate and ecological crisis. This paper explores whether and how the recently announced "ReArm Europe" can interact with the simultaneous advancement of environmental objectives under the European Green Deal, potentially forming a genuine virtuous cycle of green digitalization and addressing Europe's technological dependence. The research examines how networked local initiatives, cooperating with transdisciplinary research, can facilitate redirecting technological progress toward post-growth and regenerative approaches.