New global climate change study focuses on ICT industry

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The ICT sector currently accounts for less than two per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, though this number could more than double by 2020. The new global climate change study will quantify the direct and indirect impacts of computing, telecoms, software and services and assess business opportunities going forward to 2020. The study is due to report in March 2008. In addition to identifying ways to limit direct impacts of the sector, opportunities will also be identified for ICTs to drive efficiencies both in developed countries and in emerging economies will where growth of ICTs is over 10 per cent. Steve Howard, CEO of The Climate Group says: “The ICT sector is rapidly growing and energy dependent. If the sector gets it right, it can achieve sustainable growth and deliver smart solutions that will help enable the low carbon economy.” Luis Neves, Chair of the GeSI initiative, says: “IT and communications companies are looking for the best way to take responsibility for the future. This study will provide the definitive scientific evidence we need to choose the right course and play a positive role in climate change solutions. This is an excellent opportunity for the IT industry to examine how the application of IT can, not only deliver energy savings and carbon reduction, but do so in a way that drives even greater economic growth and productivity.”

Balancing the wider benefits against the direct impacts of the industry, covering both developed and emerging economies, the study aims to:

Deliver the first globally comprehensive picture of direct and indirect carbon emissions of telecoms, computing, services and software.
Define common themes and issues across the ICT lifecycle, identifying critical trends, scenarios and impact assessments for the ICT sector to 2020.
Create a ‘road map’ to allow the ICT sector to act now on reducing global energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.

Further information

Climate Action - Assisting business towards carbon neutrality