The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICT). Its mission is to connect the world in a sustainable way. The ITU’s delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 17) had a simple message: Technologies such as smart grids, intelligent transport systems and the “Internet of things” all have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across many energy intensive industries, and must be included in any meaningful discussion of climate change policies. The ITU believes it is essential that governments, the private sector and even individuals harness the power of information and communication technology (ICT) to promote mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
“It is imperative that our massively inter-connected world also becomes a greener, more sustainable world,” said Hamadoun Touré, ITU secretary-general. “‘Smart’ technologies will help to bridge the digital divide and improve the lives of millions — billions, even — of people. Look at the benefits that can be achieved with intelligent transport systems, or through the digitization of goods, processes and services. We need to move now to take advantage of the powerful tools already in our hands.”
The ITU brings 193 countries and over 700 private-sector entities and academic institutions into dialog and discussion about the international technical standards that ensure networks and technologies seamlessly interconnect. The organization also allocates global radio spectrum and satellite orbits and strives to improve access to ICTs to underserved communities worldwide.
“With ICT becoming ubiquitous — 2.4 billion people on the Internet and 6 billion mobile phones — such access is only possible with international standards,” said Bilel Jamoussi, chief of the Study Groups Department at the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau in Geneva. “In terms of sustainability and green IT, ITU was in Durban to participate in this dialog because as you can see from all the green initiatives, it’s about the reduction of the carbon footprint, either within the ICT sector itself or by other sectors. ICT can enable such reductions in almost any sector.
Jamoussi pointed out that ICT already measures the impact of carbon emissions on our planet. Previously those measurements were made from outer space, but a new initiative using the submarine communication cables crisscrossing our oceans, will record temperature changes in seawater. While measurement is essential, carbon reduction is the real goal and there’s plenty in regards to reducing CO2 that comes down to individual habits and personal choice.
“Let’s take an example of something we all use today,” Jamoussi remarked, “the mobile phone and its charger. Because it’s often left plugged into the wall, we should all care about how much energy that charger is consuming. It’s sometimes hard to change people’s habits, so one of the things we did in the ITU is to develop an international standard for a universal mobile charger.”
With the adoption of the universal mobile charger, it will no longer be necessary to provide a new charger with every new ICT device. The universal charger consists of a detachable cable with standardized end connectors. One end of the charger connects to an electric source and the other may be connected to any device, including all mobile phones and other gadgets such as tablet computers, cameras and wireless headphones. The cable portion of the universal mobile charger can also be used for data transfer, so an additional cable isn’t needed. Universal chargers have already begun appearing in the Saudi market and should become the norm in the coming year.
“The universal mobile charger consumes essentially no electricity when it’s left plugged in,” said Jamoussi. “Being universal it allows an individual to use the same charger with multiple devices from any manufacturer. The adoption by consumers of this new charger will reduce future e-waste because every time a person buys a new mobile device there won’t be a need for new charger. With billions of chargers thrown away annually this simple change will have a huge environmental impact.”
There are other personal choices where ICT can make life “greener.” Jamoussi mentioned that simple actions such as using eGovernment services rather than going to an office, downloading music instead of buying CDs and video conferencing as a replacement for traveling to meetings can have significant impacts when millions of people adopt such strategies.
When asked whether the ITU was itself following such advice, Jamoussi replied, “At Durban, the ITU had a small delegation to ensure that policymakers take ICT into consideration in their decisions. I stayed behind in Geneva without leaving my office and fielded a number of interviews with the press to explain how ICT is used in climate change for mitigation, for adaptation and for monitoring. If you compare this to prior years there may have been a lot more travel then today. I think a minimum amount of face to face time is always required in these international negotiations but I think preparing for Durban and getting ready for it has been supplemented and supported by a significant amount of virtual meetings and teleconferences.”
