As leaders haggle over global warming in Copenhagen and struggle for the most desirable solution of initiating a 'green revolution' without compromising economic growth, one important omission in the key areas of the global negotiations has been the use of ICT as a tool in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.While a plethora of methods and technologies that include smart grids, sustainable networks, energy-efficient data centers, telework, intelligent cars, smart buildings, energy-efficient workspaces, and even vegetarian diet are being discussed. That ICT too could be a powerful tool to mitigate the catastrophic effects of global warming seems to be missing
The fact is that even as ICT today has insignificant (estimated to be less than 2.5 percent) contribution to GHG emissions -- which is why perhaps few consider any discussion on it worthwhile, many experts feel that a more effective use of ICTs right away could yield remarkable results in helping reduce total global emissions going forward.
Quite a few studies recently have been trying to establish that fact. Take the SMART 2020 -- the first ever study on the role ICT can play for a low carbon economy -- that The Climate Group prepared on behalf of the Global eSustainability Initiative (GeSI), an international strategic partnership of ICT companies.
"In total, ICTs could deliver approximately 7.8 GtCO2e of emissions savings in 2020. This represents 15% of emissions in 2020 based on BAU estimation. It represents a significant proportion of the reductions below 1990 levels that scientists and economists recommend by 2020 to avoid dangerous climate change. In economic terms, the ICT-enabled energy efficiency translates into approximately $946.5 billion of cost savings," the study said.
In other words, the 15% reduction in total global emissions that more effective use of ICTs could achieve (by 2020) is five times higher than the estimated emissions for the whole ICT sector in 2020. The GeSI also estimates that these reductions could deliver energy efficiency savings to global businesses of over $740 billion.
Indeed, even if many blame technological innovation for the unfortunate consequence of creating unforeseen environmental damage, there's no denying that ICT at least is a profitable opportunity and has a critical role to play as well with other sectors to design and deploy solutions needed to create a low carbon society.
"It's quite simple. In order to avoid catastrophic climate change and stay well below 2 degrees warming we need to decarbonize our economy in 20-40 years," says Lasse Gustavsson, CEO WWF. "It is only possible if we fully utilize modern ICT solutions and drastically increase efficiency and invest in sustainable renewables. This is a must if we want to secure an energy future for 9 billion people."
Gustavsson's claims in terms of ICT's ability to impact billions single-handedly may look tall, but his observations are not really without basis.
Consider these proof points:
According to ITU, strategies like the universal charger for mobile phones, which has just been standardized by ITU, will deliver an estimated 50% reduction in standby energy consumption, eliminate 51,000 tons of redundant chargers, and cut GHG emissions by 13.6 million tons annually.
A study conducted by the European Telecommunication Network Operators' association (ETNO) and the WWF, showed that by replacing of 20% of business travel in EU-25 countries by non-travel solutions (such as videoconferencing), it would be possible to avoid some 22 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
Also amazing is, how significantly anyone -- including you and I -- can contribute to reduction of GHG by simply altering some of our consumption habits.
Dematerialization for instance - where bits replace physical goods - can play an important role in reducing GHGs by reducing or even entirely eliminating the need for manufacturing and transport. Examples are e-mail, online billing, online submission of government forms, downloads to replace music CDs, video DVDs, magazines and books, and so on.
Similarly did you know that every time you don't go to office and decide to work from home you contribute a fair bit in helping the world breathe easy?
According to ITU, every one million telecommuters working from home in Europe, can help save one million tons of GHG emissions annually. In the United States, where commuting distances tend to be longer, the savings are higher. ITU has found that the country already has 3.9 million telecommuters who save up to 14 million ton of GHG annually.
"Even conservative estimates show that the contribution ICT to addressing climate change can be significant," says Hiroshi Ota, the official at ITU who works on the organization's efforts to include ICT in global climate change negotiations." Without the application of ICT the kind of reduction we are talking about in 2050 will be impossible to achieve. But unfortunately its role does not find its way into the current draft text of UN's COP 15 Copenhagen Climate Change Conference."
According to ITU then, specific mention of the ICT sector, along with the adoption of an agreed methodology for measuring the carbon footprint of ICT equipment and its inclusion in National Adaptation/Mitigation Plans is imperative as a key point in the ongoing UN's COP 15 Copenhagen Climate Change Conference.
That,according to ITU, would not only provide an incentive to the ICT industry to invest in developing countries and help reduce the digital divide, but at the same time also help fight climate change.
A win-win scenario indeed!
Photo COP 15 Media Center from UN Climate Talks Pool - CC Attribution-Noncommercial 2.0 Generic
Photo COP 15 Media Center from UN Climate Talks Pool - CC Attribution-Noncommercial 2.0 Generic
