Doreen Bogdan-Martin, secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union, speaks during the high-level opening of the green digital action track at the COP28 summit in Dubai, the UAE, on Dec 2, 2023. (PHOTO COURTESY OF THE INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION)
Global efforts to make the information and communication technology (ICT) industry greener got a much-needed boost at COP28 after the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) launched the Green Digital Action Track on Dec 2.
Held on the sidelines of the United Nations climate summit in Dubai, the ITU event opened with the panel — “Unleashing Green Digital Action for a Sustainable Digital Tech Industry” — with discussions on how developing practical solutions and stepping up climate action across the industry would help steer the sector to a leading the climate action.
In her opening remarks, ITU secretary-general Doreen Bogdan-Martin said the initiative was about raising the ambition of the digital sector and about building bold, concrete climate action without delay.
We have to build a future where digital technology and climate action go hand-in-hand and where our industry not only enables but leads the transition to net zero across the entire global economy.
Doreen Bogdan-Martin, secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
“We have to build a future where digital technology and climate action go hand-in-hand and where our industry not only enables but leads the transition to net zero across the entire global economy,” said Bogdan-Martin.
“It’s where our children and our children’s children can one day say that the concentration of carbon in the atmosphere is actually lower than the day that they were born. This future is possible. It is our only choice. Let’s make it a reality now in this crucial decade,” she added.
A one-on-one dialogue between two industry leaders followed Bogdan-Martin’s speech.
Luis Neves, CEO of the Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative, a cross-industry scheme and digital solutions provider, said the event was “a very special moment” as the digital aspect has not been at COP meetings but is fundamental to addressing climate change.
“We do believe that. Our technologies will be key to combat climate conditions,” said Neves.
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Fellow speaker Takayuki Morita, CEO of Japanese electronics firm NEC, noted the mainstream popularity of digital trends and the opportunity for technology.
Morita cited the availability of vast computing power at reasonable costs, which was also driven by the power of artificial intelligence – the key part of technology today contributing to solving issues such as detecting tsunamis or earthquakes.
“Technology now is available for us to share, like information, in a very secure manner,” he said, noting the concerns of sharing delicate information such as trade secrets.
So we have a lot to do. The science of needing to do more is pretty clear. Of course, there is the business need to do that ... We feel really strongly there is a significant business opportunity to become more energy efficient and we know that the more energy efficient we become, the more important it is for our customers.
Melissa Schoeb, Nokia’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer
“Thanks to the advancement of coding technology and encryption technology, we can share the results of calculations without sharing raw data. Now, I could say that digital trend is a real tool for us to make the right decision or better decisions very quickly,” he said.
Morita also identified two challenges from “non-technological fields”: standardization and incentivization.
“It could be a kind of penalty but with those kinds of incentives, people are kind of opposed to taking action immediately. So what I’m saying is technology is available, the penalty is waiting for us to take action,” said the NEC boss.
During the panel, Nokia’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Melissa Schoeb noted that the ICT industry was “responsible for about 2 to 2.5 percent of global emissions, comparable to the aviation industry.
“So we have a lot to do. The science of needing to do more is pretty clear. Of course, there is the business need to do that,” said Schoeb.
“We feel really strongly there is a significant business opportunity to become more energy efficient and we know that the more energy efficient we become, the more important it is for our customers,” she added.
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Vice-President for Infrastructure at the World Bank Chen Guangzhe said that as a development institution, they focus on developing countries as poor people suffer the most from climate change.
“We all realize that digital technology can offer digital solutions for many of the challenges we face. But at the same time, we have to recognize that in the developing world, we still have 2.6 billion people that are not connected online,” he said.
“It’s not that they don’t have coverage but it’s too expensive or they are not using the technologies.”
Vice-President for Infrastructure at the World Bank Chen Guangzhe said a lot of investment is needed to keep people online and to benefit from technology but sustainability was key. Green development is critical, he said, to ensure online access
Chen said a lot of investment is needed to keep people online and to benefit from technology but sustainability was key. Green development is critical, he said, to ensure online access.
“That’s what we want to achieve. I think by 2030 or in the next 10 years, while we continue to expand the digital connectivity … we also have to set the target to reduce this emission by 50 percent if we really want to achieve the 1.5-degree target,” said Chen, referring to the Paris Agreement’s target of limiting global warming to 1.5 Celsius.
“The challenge is just too great for any organization alone, which is why I think the coalition and I think this network is important,” Chen said, noting it will help target investment.
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He also commended the ITU’s call for action and the ICT sector’s commitment to report greenhouse gas emissions.
Philippe Tuzzolino, VP for environment at the Orange Group, said his firm has taken steps toward reaching net zero and will publish a yearly report led by ITU at every COP.
In addition to common methodology and standards, he called for energy ministry involvement to enforce the company to implement renewable energy in their operations.
