The ICT sector is an essential part of the EU business climate, employing close to 7 million people and contributing to over 40 % of total productivity growth. Already ICT is influential in almost all other sectors but the Commission’s policies are seeking to increase this level of influence. In a coordinated move, ICT is to increase production efficiency and at the same time contribute to decreasing the environmental impact (http://www.euractiv.com/en/climate-change/ict-climate-change-problem-solution/article-180760#). A report from McKinsey (http://www.gesi.org/files/20080620_gesi_press_release.pdf) states that CO2 emissions can be reduced by as much as 15 % by 2020, solely by an increased use of intelligent devices and application.
However, ICT seems to be a double edged tool; currently almost 8 % of total EU energy consumption can be accredited to ICT, and as the number of PCs and other electronic devices increase so will the consumption. Therefore the Commission has aimed its policies toward developing environmentally sustainable ICT solutions and identifies three specific ways ICT can reduce greenhouse gas emissions (http://www.euractiv.com/en/climate-change/ict-climate-change-problem-solution/article-180760#):
First, ICT can contribute to energy saving solutions in other areas of the economy. Primary targets are sectors where energy consumption is high, e.g. buildings, transport and manufacturing and the Commission suggests implementation of solutions such as sensors, control systems and Intelligent Transport Systems (http://www.euractiv.com/en/transport/eu-eyes-faster-deployment-intelligent-transport/article-178119). Second, by increasing efficiency in transactions throughout society significant energy savings can be found. This is largely done by increasing e-commerce, cloud computing and teleworking, thus moving towards a more immaterial economy. The third contributing area is in raising awareness; if households e.g. get smart meters installed they will be more aware of how to control their energy consumption. If this is expanded to power grids and industrial applications the effects can be enormous.
On November 9-10, an EU conference (http://www.se2009.eu/en/meetings_news/2009/11/9/visby_agenda_creating_impact_for_an_eunion_2015) on the Swedish island of Gotland was held to discuss the future of European ICT policy. Europe is at an increasing pace moving further towards a knowledge based society why policies need to be adapted into the new way in which transactions between consumers and producers etc are structured. Green ICT policies can be used in the battle against climate change and could, if strategies are well developed, give Europe a market leading position in the field.
In preparation of the meeting, Sweden, as current holder of the EU Precidency, had produced a report (‘A Green Knowledge Society- An ICT policy agenda to 2015 for Europe’s future knowledge society http://www.se2009.eu/polopoly_fs/1.16246!menu/standard/file/A%20GREEN%20KNOWLEDGE%20SOCIETY_CREATIVE%20COMMONS_%20WEB1.pdf) in which Green ICT is identified as a key issue.
The policy goals for 2015 are aimed at creating new markets for products and services where economic incentives will drive technological innovation and ensure their efficiency. A stimulation programme is to be launched, purposed to apply ICT solutions in energy saving roles across relevant sectors. Thus a sustainable behavior pattern is hopefully developed in citizens and businesses.
The ICT sector is an essential part of the EU business climate, employing close to 7 million people and contributing to over 40 % of total productivity growth. Already ICT is influential in almost all other sectors but the Commission’s policies are seeking to increase this level of influence.
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