Smart technology could reduce global emissions by 15 per cent by 2020
June 22nd, 2008 - 11:11 am ICT by ANIWashington, June 22 (ANI): A new report has determined that transformation in the way people and businesses use technology could reduce annual man-made global emissions by 15 per cent by 2020.
According to ENN (Environmental News Network), the report was published by an independent non-profit organization known as The Climate Group and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI).
The report, titled “SMART 2020:Enabling the low carbon economy in the information age”, is the world’s first comprehensive global study of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector’s growing significance for the world’s climate.
The report’s supporting analysis, conducted independently by international management consultants McKinsey & Company, shows that while ICT’s own sector footprint - currently two per cent of global emissions - will almost double by 2020, ICT’s unique ability to monitor and maximise energy efficiency both within and outside of its own sector could cut CO2 emissions by up to five times this amount.
This represents a saving of 7.8 Giga-tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO2e) by 2020-greater than the current annual emissions of either the US or China.
Although tele-working, video-conferencing, e-paper, and e-commerce are increasingly commonplace, the report notes that replacing physical products and services with their virtual equivalents (dematerialisation and substitution) is only one part (six per cent) of the estimated low carbon benefits the ICT sector can deliver.
Far greater opportunities for emissions savings exist in applying ICT to global infrastructure and industry and the report examines four major opportunities where ICT can make further transformational cuts in global emissions.
These exist globally within smart building design and use, smart logistics, smart electricity grids, and smart industrial motor systems.
According to Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director, UN Environment Programme (UNEP), “This rigorous assessment underlines that the world can realise a green economy and make the transition to a low carbon economy.”
“It also underlines the crucial importance of the international community reaching a deal on a new climate agreement at the climate convention meeting in Copenhagen in 2009.” (ANI)
- 'ICT can reduce 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions' - Dec 14, 2010
- Do more to limit global warming, UN tells countries - Feb 24, 2010
- Global CO2 emissions reach record high in 2010: IEA - May 31, 2011
- ICT key to combat climate change, say experts - Dec 22, 2011
- China's transport authorities step up efforts to reduce emission - Nov 27, 2011
- 'India's per capita carbon emissions to rise threefold by 2030' - Feb 25, 2010
- Durban climate talks: What it means for India? - Dec 15, 2011
- China to begin domestic carbon trading - Jul 22, 2010
- E-goods gobble up gold, silver - Jul 08, 2012
- China issues white paper on addressing climate change - Nov 22, 2011
- 'Indian can meet carbon cut targets by 2020' - Apr 27, 2010
- US still world's largest emitter of CO2 emissions - Mar 09, 2010
- India to slash transport emissions - Nov 13, 2010
- Eating wisely can lower carbon footprint: Study - May 14, 2012
- Experts deliberate on roadmap to lower emissions - Jan 20, 2010
Tags: carbon economy, climate group, environmental news, global emissions, global study, information age, information and communication technology, international management, management consultants, mckinsey, news network, non profit organization, smart technology, sustainability initiative, transformation, use technology