One of the more important outcomes of the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) held in Johannesburg, South Africa in October 2008 was the adoption of Resolution 73 on the subject of “Information and communication technologies and climate change”. The Resolution highlighted the need to continue, as a matter of high priority, to further develop the ITU-T work programme launched in late 2007, in order to contribute to the wider global efforts to moderate climate change as part of a concerted overall effort by the United Nations.

It is widely recognized that, in order to advance work and studies in this area, a common understanding of what constitutes “climate change” is needed. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change defines it in terms of an alteration in the composition of the global atmosphere beyond natural climate variability attributed directly or indirectly to human activity. Scientific evidence in fact supports the causal relationship between greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change.

With respect to ICTs (telecommunications, computing and the Internet, but excluding broadcasting transmitters and receivers), it is estimated that they contribute around 2 to 2.5% of the GHG emissions; these percentages are likely to grow as ICTs become more widely available. The main constituent (40%) of this is the energy requirements of personal computers and data monitors, which data centres contributing a further 23%. Fixed and mobile telecoms contribute an estimated 24% of the total.

Within the UN system, the contribution of ITU within its core competencies in the telecom/ICT sector is focused on science and data monitoring, adaptation, mitigation and technology. The UN itself is working toward the development of an agreement to be concluded at the end of 2009 to replace the Kyoto Protocol.

ITU activities on climate change include the following principal objectives:

• developing a knowledge base and repository on the relationship between ICTs and climate change;

• demonstrating strategic leadership in the field; and

• promoting a global understanding of the relationship between ICTs and climate change.

With regard to the first objective, actions involve the promotion of a focused approach to the development of products and services in areas where ICTs can readily contribute to reductions in GHG emissions, including more standardized power supplies and batteries, smart devices and buildings, new low-consumption and power supplies, use of ICTs in travel management and paperless meetings. Regarding the second objective, leadership can be demonstrated by ITU in showing how ICTs can assist in monitoring, mitigating and adapting to climate change. With respect to the third objective, ITU intends to take an active role in efforts to deliver a ONE UN approach to climate change by contributing to the debate at the UN Chief Executives Board (CEB) and the High-Level Committee on Programmes (HLCP). In addition, the ITU intends to strengthen strategic partnerships with other international, regional and national organizations, NGOs and the private sector.

In follow-up to Resolution 73, current activities and initiatives in ITU include the work of a recently established Focus Group on Climate Change in the Telecommunication Standardization Sector. The objectives of the Group include the analysis and identification of gaps in the areas of definitions, general principles, methodology and appropriate tools to characterize the impact of ICTs on climate change and support the development of appropriate international standards. The Focus Group will provide a report to the April 2009 session of the Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group, which in turn will need to decide on how the work can be progressed further, including the possible continuation of the Group or the integration of its activities into the work programme of an existing ITU-T Study Group. Prior to the meeting of TSAG in April, the ITU World Telecommunication Policy Forum will consider one of six draft Opinions which is focused on “ICT and the Environment”, which includes the consideration of strategies to address climate change.

As far as the next steps are concerned, success in reducing GHG emissions will depend on a number of factors, including the following:

1. There must be explicit recognition that no single organization or entity will be able to identify a full range of options and solutions to mitigate the problems associated with climate change.

2. Collaborative, cooperative and information-sharing strategies need to be identified and implemented among all concerned parties, in order to avoid duplication of effort and to optimize the effectiveness of any initiatives to address the issues.

3.  All stakeholders and potential stakeholders – governments, the private sector, NGOs, etc. – need to be involved in the efforts to find solutions.   

Bruce Gracie
Special Advisor, International Organizations
Industry Canada