Our Team
Global Chip Dynamics Programme
Our Global Chip Dynamics Programme assesses the resilience of the semiconductor industry and Europe's strategic positioning based on the following two questions:
- How can Europe ensure the supply security of the semiconductor supply chain in a time when external shocks and geopolitical dynamics regularly affect and destabilize this important sector?
- How can Europe enhance its competitiveness in an era defined by several challenges, such as US-China technological tensions, China's push for self-reliance and ambitious sustainability goals?
By analysing the interplay of geopolitical dynamics across the value chain, we identify the implications of global rivalries for Europe's leadership in semiconductor technologies. We also recognise that the industry's future competitiveness will increasingly depend on its sustainability. Our goal is to align urgently required policy decisions with strategic insights and Europe's values, supporting Europe's continued relevance in this foundational industry.
To that end, the programme provides insights into technology and industry trends, quantitative analysis and policy recommendations to help decision-makers navigate this complex landscape.
As part of this programme, the Advancing Sustainability in Semiconductors workstream examines how Europe can strengthen technological competitiveness while achieving the green transition. Semiconductors are pivotal for climate-neutral technologies yet carry a high carbon and environmental footprint in production and operation.
The workstream addresses this challenge by structuring knowledge from both technological and sustainability perspectives and identifying key problems and opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of chip manufacturing. Its goal is to support policymakers, industry, civil society and academia in advancing sustainability in semiconductors in line with Europe's climate objectives while fostering Europe's technological prowess.
Our Sustainability Publications
Julia Christina Hess, Maria Nowicka, 2026
After a sharp decline from 2021 to 2023, direct emissions from chip production are rising again. Could AI be driving the increase? This brief explores one likely factor: surging demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM). We unpack the technology behind HBM, the market forces shaping demand, and the varied emission trends among leading memory chip manufacturers.
Julia Christina Hess, 2025
How have greenhouse gas emissions and energy use from semiconductor manufacturing evolved over the past decade and what explains the trends we see? This publication visualizes company-reported CSR data from 2015 to 2023, shedding light on reporting practices, shifting market dynamics, and persistent gaps in data quality and comparability across the sector.
Julia Christina Hess, 2024
Semiconductor manufacturing is resource-intensive, but where do its biggest environmental pressures arise? This paper maps the climate and environmental impacts of chip production, identifying emission hotspots and resource-heavy process steps, while exploring opportunities to reduce water pollution, hazardous chemical use, and overall environmental footprints.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank Sarah Budai for her patience and thoroughness during data collection; Pasha Semenova for their dedicated data science work; Alina Siebert for her indispensable design support; Maximilian Gottwald and Jack Walmsley for their help during the research and text edits; Luisa Seeling, Iana Pervazova and Sebastian Rieger for helping to spread the word about this publication.
Data science support: Pasha Semenova
Design supervision: Alina Siebert
Website & UI development: geodemo & Frederic Christian
About interface – Tech Analysis and Policy Ideas for Europe
interface is a European think tank specialising in information technology and public policy. Our goal is to ensure that political decision-makers and the public have the expertise and ideas necessary to create policies and make decisions that put the public interest first.