Digital Transformation Consulting

The Pacific Island nation of Tuvalu faces existential threats from climate change and rising sea levels, with predictions that it could disappear into the Pacific Ocean within decades. In response to this dire situation, Tuvalu launched the Future Now Project, aiming to establish itself as the world’s first completely digital nation. This initiative includes digitizing administrative services and cultural records while working to secure its statehood and maritime boundaries, even if its government must eventually relocate.

To amplify its message on a global stage, Tuvalu reached out to Accenture for assistance in sharing its urgent story ahead of COP27. Accenture’s Sustainability Studio and Accenture Song collaborated to create a digital twin of Te Afualiku, a small islet expected to be the first part of Tuvalu to be submerged. In just six weeks, they developed a digital twin, a short film, and an interactive advocacy website. Utilizing advanced technologies like Unreal Engine 5, they rendered an immersive 3D environment that accurately depicted the islet, allowing Tuvalu’s Minister for Justice, Communication and Foreign Affairs, Simon Kofe, to deliver his COP27 speech from this virtual location.

The impact of this initiative was significant. Kofe’s speech reached over 2.1 billion people globally, and Tuvalu's advocacy website, Tuvalu.tv, engaged concerned citizens from 160 countries, with 118 countries interacting within the first 48 hours. This heightened awareness contributed to the establishment of a historic Loss and Damage Fund for nations like Tuvalu at COP27. Furthermore, since the event, nine nations have agreed to officially recognize Tuvalu’s digital statehood, paving the way for securing its maritime boundaries and international voting rights. The project not only served as a tragic climate adaptation strategy but also acted as a powerful call to global action, emphasizing the urgent need for concerted efforts to address climate change.