International Telecommunication Union Enabling a low carbon future: the role of ITU and ICTs to address climate change Jose Maria Diaz Batanero Social Forum - October 6 th, 2010

International Telecommunication Union A snapshot of ITU

Committed to Connecting the World 3 Telecommunications have evolved notably since the invention of the telegraph …

Committed to Connecting the World 4 Today, the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is the key to access to the information society Personal communication Entertainment On-line public services Real-time Information Social and professional networks Databases Media Social media Libraries

Committed to Connecting the World Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.“ (UN, 1997) Reference to Article 19 in the World Summit of the Information Society “Everyone has a right to freedom of opinion and expression; right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. Communication is a fundamental social process, a basic human need and the foundation of all social organization.” (WSIS -2003/2005) 5 To the extend that access to ICTs is already considered a basic human right

Committed to Connecting the World ITU has assisted this evolution since 1865… … throughout the constant (and fast) evolution of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) Management of spectrum Satellite orbits ICT development Technical standards Policies and regulations

Committed to Connecting the World ITU is the UN specialized agency that promotes global collaboration for a connected world 7

International Telecommunication Union The role of ICTs to address climate change

Committed to Connecting the World ICTs play a double role in climate change  On the one hand they are part of the problem…  ICTs contribute % of GHG, according to some estimates 9

Committed to Connecting the World (And adoption of ICTs is growing at a very fast rate) 10

Committed to Connecting the World (not to mention the problem of eWaste) 11

Committed to Connecting the World But ICTs are also part of the solution, as they are a transformational tool that can deeply change several industries, sectors and activities 12

Committed to Connecting the World The use of ICTs by new sectors can accelerate innovation, improve access to basic services and create a new model of (sustainable) development 13

Committed to Connecting the World ICTs can support the key areas of the Bali Action Plan Shared vision Mitigation of climate change AdaptationTechnology development and transfer Science and data monitoring 14

International Telecommunication Union How ITU is promoting the use of ICTs to address climate change (a few examples)

Committed to Connecting the World Work in mitigation (1)  Reduction of energy consumption by ICT equipment through new standards;  E.g. The promotion of Next Generation Networks (reducing power consumption by up to 40%)  Better use of spectrum to reduce energy consumption of wireless devices.  Advancing on new standards to promote reduction of emissions by other sectors  Smart grids and smart buildings  Intelligent transport systems  Remote working technologies  Sensor-based networks 16

Committed to Connecting the World Work in mitigation (2)  Promoting new regulations to encourage the industry to focus on energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources. 17 (the importance of adopting a common methodology to measure results)  Over 40 organizations from the whole sector (public sector and industry) participate in the ITU group to develop a methodology for measuring ICT carbon footprint  Without, it will be impossible to provide meaningful comparisons  Helps to establish the business case for the industry to go green

Committed to Connecting the World Addressing e-waste  Engagement of industry and policy makers in promoting recycling and reduction e-waste, lifecycle analysis  E.g. Universal mobile charger (ITU-T Recommendation L.1000)  Promoting of policies for the correct management of ICT equipment throughout its lifecycle 18

Committed to Connecting the World Adaptation  Support to get telecoms up and running after disasters  Recent examples Pakistan, Haiti and Chile  E-Environment Toolkit will help countries to assess the contribution that ICTs can make to reduce GHG emissions. 19

Committed to Connecting the World  Ensures availability of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits for climate monitoring and climate change prediction  Develops international treaty level standards to ensure non-interference operation of systems involved in climate monitoring;  Carries out studies (through ITU-R Study Groups) for development of new wireless technologies to increase use of remote sensors;  Assists administrations in implementing radio systems by analyzing compatibility between new and existing systems As the steward of the global framework for spectrum and satellite orbits, ITU: Data Monitoring 20

Committed to Connecting the World Technology transfer  Within the WSIS process ITU has built a global online community to exchange best practices in the use of ICTs to promote sustainable development;  Focus in project stocktaking;  Open to multi-stakeholders (government, academia, private sector, NGOs, etc.) 21  Related topics:  E-agriculture  E-environment

International Telecommunication Union A final call for action

Committed to Connecting the World 23 ICTs are at the foundation of a Green Economy  ICTs play a key role as an enabling technology to monitor climate change and reduce GHG emissions: we need to define ICTs as a basic utility that should be included in national development plans and encourage industrial sectors to adopt ICTs to reduce their carbon footprint.  Open and global standards lower the cost of access to technologies and increase the “network effect”: we must encourage the industry to build on open standards that use energy efficiency as a key technical factor.  The benefits of ICTs go beyond access to information, they extend access to basic services and strengthen democracy and human rights: we need to engage all relevant actors (governments, citizens, NGOs and business) to work together to provide universal access to ICTs.

Committed to Connecting the World  5 th Symposium on ICTs and the Environment & Climate Change (2-3 November 2010, Cairo, Egypt)  Topics to be discussed will include: adaptation to climate change, e-waste, cost-effective ICT technologies, methodology of environmental impact assessment of ICT and financing of climate change solutions.  Outcome: The symposium will issue the “Cairo Road Map”, a set of recommendations for action in relation to ICTs, the Environment and Climate Change.  Registration open for both on-site and remote participation Next key event 24

International Telecommunication Union Enabling a low carbon future: the role of ITU and ICTs to address climate change Jose Maria Diaz Batanero Social Forum - October 6 th, 2010