Upcoming Conferences and Studies on ICT and Global Warming

[Interest in ICT and its impact on global warming seems to have exploded in the last 6 months. There is a number of upcoming reports and conferences on the subject that I would highly recommend. Most of these events and studies are looking at energy efficiency and carbon abatement (tele-presence, tele-commuting, etc) as the primary mechanisms how ICT can mitigate effects of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions. But I don't know how many of them are taking a systemic view and looking at issues of Jevons paradox or the issue of "zero carbon" versus "carbon neutrality". Also I don’t think any of these studies are addressing the new business and economic opportunities that may be possible with a zero carbon ICT strategy that may result in a virtuous feedback cycle to further stimulate GHG reductions in other sectors of society. It is my belief that there are huge economic and business opportunities with a zero carbon ICT strategy which will fundamentally reshape ICT industry, broadband, etc and create new wealth and employment to first mover countries and businesses--BSA]


http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/worksem/climatechange/call.html
Call for papers, speakers and contributions
ITU Symposia on ICTs and Climate Change
Kyoto, Japan, 15-16 April 29008
London, UK, 17-18 June 2008
Deadline: 29 February 2008

Since 1970, the production of greenhouse gases has risen by more than 70 per cent, and this is having a global effect in warming the planet, causing changing weather patterns, rising sea-levels, desertification, shrinking ice cover and other worrying long-term effects. The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) foresees a further rise in average global temperatures of between 1.4 and 5.8° centigrade by 2030.

Climate change is a concern for all of humanity and requires efforts on the part of all sectors of society, including the information and communication technologies (ICTs) sector. Although ICTs contribute only an estimated 2.5 per cent of total greenhouse gases, this share is set to grow as usage of ICTs expands globally, growing at a faster rate than the general economy. ICTs are thus part of the cause of global warming, but they can also be part of the solution, for instance through the promotion of carbon displacement technologies. ICTs are also vital in monitoring the spread of global warming.

As part of a major new initiative on the overall topic of ICTs and climate change, ITU is organizing two Symposia on ICTs and Climate Change. The first will be held in Kyoto, Japan 15-16 April 2008, hosted by MIC Japan, and the second in London, UK, on 17-18 June, hosted by BT. Initial proposals developed in Kyoto will be finalized in London. These symposia will bring together key specialists in the field, from top decision-makers to engineers, designers, planners, government officials, regulators, standards experts and others.

To contribute to this work, you are invited to submit an abstract, of maximum 300 words, for a paper or presentation which is relevant to one of more of the topics below.



Canadian Green IT Forum: You, Me and Green IT Conference http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=IDC_P16849

Apr 09-10, 2008
Toronto, Ontario Canada


Canadian Telecom Summit
Green IT
http://www.gstconferences.com/conference_program?



http://www.gesi.org/media/press-releases/new-global-climate-change-study-focuses-on-ict-industry.html

New Global Climate Change Study Focuses on ICT Industry

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 independent research study will assess current carbon impacts of the ICT sector and analyse ICTs’ role in catalyzing transformation to a low-carbon economy.

The study will quantify the direct and indirect impacts of computing, telecoms, software and services, and assess business opportunities going forward to 2020. The study will commence in November 2007 and will report in March 2008.

In addition to identifying ways to limit direct impacts of the sector, the study will explore the opportunities for ICTs to drive efficiencies both in developed countries and in emerging economies, 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.

More information

For more information contact:

Tom Howard-Vyse, The Climate Group
Head of Media, Europe
Dir: +44 (0) 207 960 2991, Mob: +44 (0) 7800 933831 thoward-vyse@theclimategroup.org

Joan Sherlock, Global e-Sustainability Initiative
Head of Communications
Dir: +1 650 948 2544, Mob: +1 650 400 1336
press@gesi.org