Combating climate change with ICTs
02 March 2009
Produced by OneWorld South Asia, Fixing the Climate with ICTs summarises the e-discussions of GKP’s 2008 virtual forum. This guide captures the role of ICT in creating knowledge partnerships and networks to adapt to and mitigate climate change effects.
Publisher: OneWorld South Asia and Global Knowledge Partnership, 2009
- Image credits: GKP / Cover page of the guide
This advocacy guide has been sourced from the Global Knowledge Partnership Forum (GKP) virtual forum on ICT and Climate Change held from May 20, 2009 – June 9, 2009.
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can provide a plethora of solutions to mitigate and adapt to the adverse impact of climate change, and in the transfer and exchange of knowledge.
At the same time, the ICT industry – also a source of GHG, and cited as a part of the problem – needs to keep a watch on its carbon emissions to contribute more towards the solution.
For instance, according to a Mckinsey study, 44% of the CEOs worldwide admit that climate change is not a significant item on their agenda. The challenge is to make managers reposition themselves in a low carbon landscape.
Profit functions and strategies need to incorporate the transition to low carbon technologies and capture carbon trading. Designing products from carbon-efficient raw materials, better insulation and energy efficient lighting systems are integral to such efforts.
ICTs can also help create cross-sectoral alliances for improving institutional and grassroots capacity, and bring greater coordination between governments to enhance disaster preparedness through technological solutions.
The guide also cites examples of ICT-related initiatives by organisations around the world in addressing climate change.
