Climate Change Task Force

In 2006 it was estimated that the five leading search companies consumed almost as much power needed for all of Las Vegas on the hottest day of the year. If nothing is done, it is estimated that the ICT sector will contribute up to 8% of total GHG emissions by 2050.

Fortunately, the ICT industry is actively addressing this issue. Next generation networks (NGNs) promise to reduce power consumption by as much as 40%1 and digital media transmission will cut antenna power consumption by a factor of almost 10 compared with traditional broadcasting equipment.2

But it is really in helping other industries reduce their GHGs that ICTs can shine. New developments in areas such as smart grids, sustainable networks, energy-efficient data centers, teleworking, intelligent cars, smart buildings and energy-efficient workspaces offer huge hope. A recent study estimated that the effective use of ICTs could help reduce the total global emissions by 15%, while delivering energy savings to businesses amounting to more than EUR 500 billion.

Furthermore, for the radical change that is necessary, ICTs are the only tool powerful enough to allow us to make the paradigm shift needed to make a difference. Including a reference to ICTs in the negotiating text for COP15 would provide an incentive to the ICT industry to invest in developing countries, help reduce the digital divide, and at the same time fight climate change – a win-win scenario.