The European Commission (EC) has urged the information and communication technology (ICT) industry to assume a leadership role in cutting energy emissions and in developing technologies to fight the vagaries of climate change. Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Information Society and Media, has called upon Europe?s IT industry to draw, over the next one year, an outline of the steps it plans to take to become 20% more energy efficient by 2015.
The commission has recommended that the ICT sector adopt bold energy efficiency targets by 2011. It has also asked EU countries to agree on common specifications for smart metering by the end of 2010. ?Making better use of innovative ICT solutions will help us meet Europe?s objectives of a low-carbon economy. The ICT sector can show the way to a more sustainable, environmental-friendly growth and give a boost to green jobs in Europe,? said Reding.
ICT equipment and services account for about 8% of the electrical power consumed in the European Union and about 2% of carbon emissions. Smart ICT alternatives could help reduce energy consumption in sectors such as buildings, transportation and logistics and save as much as 15% in total carbon emissions by 2020, EC said. ?We must seize the opportunity to lead the way in energy-efficient technologies?not only because it is the best way to achieve sustainable cuts in CO2 emissions, but because the ecological potential of these technologies can open up new business opportunities for European ICT companies,? Reding said.
The EC urged public administrations of EU member states at national, regional and local levels to make better use of ICT tools for energy simulation and modelling, including in the training of professionals in buildings, transport and logistics sectors. They can also encourage adoption of more energy efficient technology by making it a part of public procurement programmes.
The commission called upon the ICT sector to agree on common methodologies for measuring energy consumption and carbon emissions by 2010. With that in place, more reliable data will be available to set ambitious targets for energy efficiency and emission cuts by 2011.
The commission?s recommendation aims not only to unlock the energy efficiency potential through more public-private partnership initiatives–like the one launched recently by the EC on energy efficient buildings and green cars–but also through partnerships between the ICT industry and defined strategic sectors. The buildings, transport and logistics sectors have been identified as key ones where energy efficiency through the use of ICT is largely untapped.
The commission also asked EU countries to use ICT-based solutions to improve energy efficiency. Smart grids and smart metering systems could improve production efficiency and control, and the distribution and consumption of energy. If Europe were to replace only 20% of all business trips by video conferencing this could save more than 22 million tonne of CO2 per year. Also, the roll-out of broadband networks facilitating increased use of online public services and applications could save at least 1-2% of total energy use worldwide by 2020.
The commission recommendation follows a public survey completed in September 2009 that confirmed the need for a coordinated approach by the ICT sector to improve its energy and environmental performance and the importance of common commitments to meet the targets.
It may be recalled that in January 2007, the Commission adopted an energy and climate change package, targeting 20% reduction by 2020 of both total primary energy consumption and in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the 1990 levels, while increasing the share of renewable energy use to 20% over the same period. In May 2008, the commission announced that it would promote the role of ICT in meeting these goals. In December 2008, the EU reiterated its commitment in meeting these targets. Following this, in March 2009, the Commission adopted a communication on mobilising ICT to facilitate the transition to an energy-efficient, low-carbon economy highlighting the role of the sector as a key enabler in reducing the carbon emissions across the board.