ITU agrees on ‘Green ICT’ methodology to reduce global emission
The Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) Study Group 5 of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has announced an agreed green ICT methodology that can help reduce global emission.
The Study Group which met in Seoul, Korea, agreed on a globally-recognized set of methodologies to assess the environmental impact of information and communications technology (ICT).
The ITU indicates that estimates of how much ICTs can reduce global emissions – and estimates of the emissions generated by the ICT sector itself – still vary widely, due to the application of different measurement methodologies.
In a statement copied to ghanabusinessnews.com September 28, 2011, the ITU said the meeting also saw an agreement to produce a report on due diligence guidelines for conflict minerals supply, and to study environmental protection and recycling solutions for batteries for mobile phones and other ICT devices.
“ITU will make a survey of existing due diligence requirements and guidelines concerning sources of conflict minerals (in particular, those that are smelted into tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold), as well as their use in conformity with recognized international treaties and national legislation, where this exists,” it said.
It adds, “Rare earth minerals are used in consumer electronics products such as mobile phones, DVD players, video games and computers. Agreement to address this issue demonstrates the ICT industry’s commitment to sustainability at all levels of the value chain.”
The Chairman of the ITU-T Study Group 5, Ahmed Zeddam, said “…Twelve new important standards have been agreed, including many critical to methodologies to assess the environmental impact of ICT and the protection of home networks and next generation network (NGN) equipment from electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and environmental effects. The meeting also saw revisions to a key set of standards on resistibility to over-voltages or over-currents of telecoms equipment. ITU is the only organization producing these important global standards.”
By Ekow Quandzie
Congrats to WG-5 thought-leaders for adopting Green ICT. Policy; let it now be adopted as global approach for ensuring clean & clear environ so that our Children live in better communicated greener environment as we take responsibility for protecting mother Earth as wiser children now. India, as you may be aware in April ’11 also proposed similar concept with Tax-saving Incentives for Carbon footprint reduction as pioneer by national Regulator TRAI & our Trade-body called AssoCham has given call to all Members & Chambers, to adopt such initiative for all projects!