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The IT industry must play a “leading role” in tackling climate change in the UK by being smarter with how it and other industries use technology. Innovation through IT, like using low-carbon technologies, should be the industry’s main focus, if the nation is to avoid causing “irreparable harm to the environment.” Such are the verdicts of Intellect, the hi-tech trade body, which says by suggesting how IT can meet future energy demands of products and services it has achieved a first. In its report, High Tech: Low Carbon, the group reveals that energy use related to ICT accounts for 2 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions. The authors warn that, based on current growth rates, there could be a five-fold increase in ICT-related emissions, and a six-fold increase in emissions from consumer electronics. But progress in each sector’s energy efficiency, means the industry can do better than the target of 30% improvement in the efficiency of electrical equipment by 2030, as set by the CBI. Indeed many products will exceed these targets within the next two years, the authors said, pointing to gains relating to when products are both in on mode and standby mode. In their report, they pinpoint 26 different technologies, such as engineering and bio-technology that could be used to reduce carbon emissions from a range of industries. Unless these technologies are applied now or, at the least, well before 2050 – the year the government has set emission reduction targets for – there will be a “disastrous build up of CO2.” “Rapid innovation cycles in the technology sector mean change can happen at the required pace,” Intellect said, “however, this will require active stimulation and support from government.” In terms of industry’s role, the hi-tech trade body has committed itself to four areas. Firstly, it will develop a mechanism to help quantify ICT-related emissions that can systematically “monitor and measure” emissions from the tech industry’s products and services. Secondly, it will clean up business and manufacturing practices “throughout the technology supply chain” with guidance to be made available on boosting energy efficiency. A programme called “Who Cares Wins” – will help members assess their environmental performance and implement improvements without losing their competitiveness. Thirdly, it will stimulate and encourage behavioural change, such as by offering consumers an online tool that will assess an electronic product’s green credentials, alongside its functionality and price. And its fourth objective is to be a thought-leader, in part by tasking experts to identify the best opportunities for emissions reduction via technology and suggest how they might be optimised. “It is clear that there is considerable scope for improving the energy efficiency of ICT and CE products, irrespective of our sector size, our contribution to GDP or anything else,” said John Higgins, the group’s director-general. “However, it should also be clear that the technology sector is embracing the challenge of energy efficiency and is producing better, faster, lighter devices that use less and less energy as the result of a continuous process of intensive research and development.” Intellect’s environment partners, including Microsoft, Intel, HP, Sharp, Fujitsu and Deloitte, will participate in these programmes and work to ensure the commitments are met. Dr Andrew Sentance, University of Warwick, said: “Investment in new technologies will be crucial to building the low carbon economy of the future. Across all sectors of the economy, we will need to harness the power of technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “It is very encouraging to see…companies in the technology sector identifying how they can help meet that challenge and support the move to a more sustainable, low carbon economy.” But improving efficiency isn’t enough, Mr Higgins said, adding: “We have to find ways to completely decouple economic growth from energy consumption. This is not an either or scenario – we have to do both.” Feb 18, 2008 Email this article Printer friendly page Previous Page
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