The Pacific Island of Tuvalu is using digital twin technology to back up its entire nation in response to the threat of rising sea levels. With the increasing vulnerability to extreme natural hazards due to climate change, the use of digital twins is being explored as a means for countries to mitigate and prepare for disasters. Tuvalu’s digital twin enables the continuity of government services and aims to preserve its culture. The development of digital twins at the scale of nations has also been observed in countries like Singapore and Luxembourg, assisting with disaster planning and policy decision-making. However, concerns over data privacy and the potential moral hazard of backup nations must be addressed. In the UK, plans for creating a digital twin have been announced to aid in reaching net zero and preparing for future disasters.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuvalu uses digital twin technology to back up the entire nation | From physical backup to digital backup | More countries using digital twins for disaster preparedness | Rising sea levels and climate change |
| Digital twins help countries mitigate and prepare for disaster | From limited use to widespread use | Digital twins used for disaster planning and simulations globally | Increase in extreme natural hazards due to climate change |
| Privacy concerns with digital twins | From privacy risks to mitigated privacy issues | Balancing privacy concerns with the benefits of digital twins | Need to address privacy concerns and establish regulations |
| UK plans to create a digital twin to prepare for disasters | From pilot projects to national scale preparedness | UK implementing digital twin technology for disaster planning and net zero goals | Sea level rise and increasing risk to coastal properties |