Rising energy prices and an increasingly polluted environment have led to a high general awareness of sustainable development, making it a corporate responsibility to address sustainability in any industry. Telecom sustainability is a multidimensional challenge that telecom operators can work on in a systematic and forward-looking manner as studies have shown that more than half of global consumers prefer to purchase from a company with a good environmental reputation and almost 80% of global workers believe that working for an environmentally ethical organization is important.
The ICT sector is relatively energy-lean, responsible for about 2% of global energy use and subsequent carbon emissions (with telecom representing just 0.6%). However, telecom networks are still energy-driven and energy costs represent a significant operating expense that is increasingly important as energy prices rise and energy efficiency continues to be in focus. The challenge for operators is to pursue growth in telecom networks, while ensuring the 2% of global emissions does not significantly increase over the coming years.
In order to ensure its own sustainability and energy efficiency as well as enable technology for other sectors, the ICT industry has an important role to play. Climate change can significantly alter the way business is done and should be treated as a strategic issue that can be a threat or an opportunity. By including it in corporate strategy, operators can recognize, respond to or create new business opportunities that will stimulate innovation and enable the transition to a high-value, high-efficiency and low-carbon economy. Sustainability should not remain an unexplored area and now more than ever, it is time for organizations to embrace it.
ICT and the Potential to Reduce CO2 Emissions by 15%
The ICT sector can make significant contributions to reducing the 98% of carbon emissions from other sectors such as energy supply production and distribution, transport and dematerialization in general. An industry study, SMART 2020, estimates that ICT has the potential to reduce overall CO2 emissions by around 15% by 2020. Several key opportunities have been identified in order to achieve emissions savings. For instance, e-health, logistics, smart buildings and smart grids are areas where technology can impact the role telecom operators play in making a significant difference. Physical products could be replaced with services and help use resources more efficiently. In economic terms, ICT-enabled energy efficiency translates into savings of approximately EUR 600 billion.
Within the realm of ICT, broadband provides the most effective foundation for a resource-efficient infrastructure that can deliver many different services in a low-carbon approach. New technologies and applications are driving growth in both mobile and fixed broadband data networks; these networks are expanding to serve more subscribers. Broadband services like teleworking and online shopping can significantly contribute to carbon reduction. In fact, millions of metric tons of carbon emission can be reduced using simple and convenient online activities.
A recent study entitled "Measuring the Energy Reduction Impact of Selected Broadband-Enabled Activities Within Households", led by the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI), shows that replacing more energy-intensive conventional activities by the use of broadband internet access could achieve net energy savings equivalent to 2% of a country total energy consumption. Eight household-level activities that are enabled or enhanced by the use of broadband internet access, in six countries, were studied. These activities are telecommuting, using the internet as a primary news source, online banking, e-commerce, downloading and/or streaming media (music and video), e-education, digital photography and e-mail. The results show that countries like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK and the US could generate annual net energy savings equivalent to 2% of the total country energy consumption when reasonably adopting all eight broadband enabled house hold activities.
It is evident that broadband can be used to help societies reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change, and promote resource efficiency. Working with a range of partners, Ericsson, a leading provider of communications infrastructure, services and multimedia solutions, is developing intelligent ICT-enabled infrastructure for utilities, transportation, government services and more. The aim is to optimize services or activities for greater energy efficiency and to seek out opportunities for transformative solutions that fundamentally change the way we live and work.
Ericsson: Sustainability Leadership
Ericsson is developing products, solutions and services as well as engaging in thought leadership to create the right framework for action. It participates in local, regional and international forays, such as the global climate negotiations, the work of the Broadband Commission for Digital Development, and policy work on behalf of the GeSI.
ICT technology through the use of broadband will provide a common communications infrastructure that unites diverse sectors in contributing to low-carbon goals and improved quality of life. Broadband can optimize delivery of essential services and redefine urban landscapes, from more intelligent electricity grids to more efficient transportation. Cross sector collaborations between telecom operators, a range of industry sectors, governments and international organizations will help accelerate ICT's role in reducing global carbon emissions and putting the world on a more sustainable path.
© Telecom Review 2013
