Page 36 - European Energy Innovation - winter 2017 publication

36 Winter 2017 European Energy Innovation

ICT ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Energy efficiency to fight climate
change: the vital role of ICTs

By Malcolm Johnson, ITU Deputy Secretary General

The need for innovative But this progress did not happen ICT-enabled solutions such as machine
energy solutions to reduce overnight. learning, advanced data analytics
carbon emissions has never and distribution management
been more urgent. And with When I first joined ITU almost 11 systems have the potential to
last month’s Bonn Climate Change years ago, climate change did not manage electricity consumption and
Conference fresh in their minds, world really figure in ITU’s work. I led the significantly improve the efficiency of
leaders now face the challenging task publication of ITU’s first report on electricity grids. ITU's Standardization
of finding ways to translate ambition ICTs and climate change in Section has outlined how smart grids
into action. December 2007, which highlighted can help to mitigate climate change
that while ICTs are a contributor to by building more controllable and
Information and communication greenhouse gas emissions, they efficient energy systems.
technologies (ICTs) can help us fast- are also an important element in
track progress. Innovative ICTs are mitigating and adapting to climate GREENER CITIES
powering smarter electricity grids, change, and reducing overall Cities emit more than 70% of the
greener cities, and more efficient emissions of greenhouse gases. world’s total greenhouse gases,
agricultural practices. If we do it according to UN figures. ICT-enabled
right, ICTs can enable a 20% Since then, ITU has been helping solutions such as sensors, smart
reduction of global carbon emissions Member States understand how to use meters, automated control systems,
by 20301 and thus significantly ICTs and satellite terminals for disaster and the Internet of Things (IoT) offer
contribute towards the Paris warning, mitigation, response and an opportunity to reduce cities’ energy
agreement targets. recovery. costs and decrease their emissions
by transforming urban infrastructure
ITU’S LEADING ROLE In addition to its focus on climate with intelligent buildings, smart street
At the International change adaptation and mitigation, ITU lights, more efficient transportation
Telecommunication Union (ITU) – the has been leading the work to capitalize systems, and smart energy and water
United Nations’ specialized agency on the potential of ICTs to secure an networks.
for ICTs – we are working to provide energy-efficient future.
innovative technological solutions and ITU is working on a number of
standards to help our government and EARLY PROGRESS initiatives to build smart, sustainable
private-sector members reduce their In many areas, we are seeing progress cities. In 2016, for example, ITU
carbon emissions. on energy efficiency – sometimes and the United Nations Economic
known as ‘the fifth fuel’ due to its great Commission for Europe (UNECE)
To minimize the carbon footprint of potential to save energy. launched "United for Smart
the digital ecosystem, ITU and its Sustainable Cities" (U4SSC) to respond
members committed to reducing Many big Internet companies, for to the Sustainable Development Goal
greenhouse gas emissions per example, are taking steps to power 11. U4SSC is now supported by 16
device by 30% by 2020. To meet this their activities with renewable sources2. United Nations bodies, and 50 cities
commitment, ITU has, for example, have joined the pilot project.
developed new international standards In addition, emissions avoided through
to reduce the greenhouse gas the use of ICTs are nearly ten times These cities are implementing a set of
emissions of power feeding systems greater than the emissions generated key performance indicators developed
and data centres. by deploying it3. by ITU and UNECE that fall under five

1 GeSI Smarter 2020: The Role of ICTs in Driving a Sustainable Future. The Global e-Sustainability Initiative. 2012
2 Clicking Clean: Who is Winning the Race to Build a Clean Internet? GreenPeace, 2017.
3 GeSI Smarter 2020: The Role of ICTs in Driving a Sustainable Future. The Global e-Sustainability Initiative. 2012

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