Information and Communication Technology (ICT) clearly has the potential to reduce emissions through systems that promote greater efficiency and productivity (Charfeddine & Umlai, 2023). However, ICT also exacts a toll on the environment. Relevant environmental aspects and impacts identified by the Alfieri & Spiliotopoulos (2023) include the following:
New trends such as big data and AI, the Internet of Things, as well as blockchain and cryptocurrencies, risk driving further substantial growth in ICT’s GHG emissions (Freitag et al., 2021).
In 2020, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations specialised agency for ICTs, called for the ICT industry to reduce GHG emissions by 45 percent by 2030 in order to meet the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°c above pre-industrial levels.
Given the imperative to decarbonise the ICT sector, this guide provides resources on initiatives to make the ICT sector more sustainable.
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Singapore's Digital Connectivity Blueprint Published in 2023, this blueprint outlines the strategic priorities for Singapore's digital future, which include the sustainable growth of new green data centers and driving innovation in green software. |
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Sustainable Software Development Guidelines This paper, jointly developed by the Infocomm Media Development Authority and Microsoft, presents an overview of sustainable software development principles. It also discusses measurement standards and introduces a range of tools that developers can use to create more sustainable software. In addition, it provides a list of best practices and recommendations for developers looking to adopt sustainable software principles in their work. |
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Sustainable Tropical Data Centre Testbed (STDCT) Established by the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and key stakeholders in Singapore's data centre industry, the STDCT is a first of its kind testbed facility in the tropics that was set up in 2021 to enhance Singapore's competitiveness in sustainable and efficient data centre solutions. |
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Global Electronics Council (GEC) The GEC promotes sustainable technology by leveraging the power of purchasers to create a world where only sustainable technology is bought and sold. It manages the EPEAT™ ecolabel, a free resource for procurement professionals to identify and select more sustainable products. |
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Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) A cross-industry sustainability initiative dedicated to creating and enabling digital solutions to address society’s most pressing challenges. Its website contains information, resources and best practices for achieving integrated social and environmental sustainability through digital technologies. |
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This project aims to promote more environmentally sustainable computational science. It provides calculators for researchers to estimate the carbon footprint of their projects as well as resources on how to be more environmentally friendly. |
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A global consortium dedicated to advancing energy efficiency in data centers and business computing ecosystems through advocacy, creating tools and providing technical expertise. |
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A non-profit which aims to reduce the total change in global carbon emissions associated with software by building a trusted ecosystem of people, standards, tooling and best practices for creating and building green software. https://greensoftware.foundation/
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This standard from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is a non-binding recommendation that puts forward emission-reduction trajectories for operators of mobile networks, fixed networks and data centers. The emissions are quantified for the year 2015 and estimated for 2020, 2025 and 2030. In addition, it defines a long-term ambition for 2050. https://www.itu.int/ITU-T/recommendations/rec.aspx?rec=14084 |
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Guidance for ICT Companies Setting Science Based Targets This document supports information and communication technology companies operating mobile networks, fixed networks and/or data centres in setting science based targets for greenhouse gases. https://sciencebasedtargets.org/resources/legacy/2020/04/GSMA_IP_SBT-report_WEB-SINGLE.pdf |
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Guide to Environmental Sustainability Metrics for Data Centers This white paper from Schneider Electric proposes 5 categories for environmental sustainability reporting metrics for data standards - energy, greenhouse gas emissions, water, waste, and local ecosystem. It also identifies a list of 28 standardized metrics across these 5 categories, along with published industry-based target values for key metrics. https://download.schneider-electric.com/files?p_enDocType=White+Paper&p_Doc_Ref=WP67_SPD_EN |
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Developing Sustainable Gen AI https://www.capgemini.com/insights/research-library/sustainable-gen-ai/ |
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Green G: The Path Towards Sustainable 6G Published by the Next G Alliance, this white paper identifies key areas where the ICT sector can contribute to reducing overall energy consumption and achieving environmental sustainability objectives while advancing toward 6G. |
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ICT Task Force Study: Final Report This report presents an analysis of environmental lifestyle impacts of ICT devices and systems, and offers a set of recommendations to address them. Published by the European Commission's science and knowledge service, the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the report aims to provide evidence-based scientific support to the European policymaking process. |
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Contains global, transnational and national reports on e-waste statistics, legislation and management published by United Nations agencies.
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Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI) A global nonprofit organisation focused on minimizing the environmental and health risks posed by used and end-of-life electronics, while also maximizing the social and economic value presented by this equipment.
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This not-for-profit association of 50 waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) producer responsibility organisations across the world was founded in 2002. It aims to be a 'centre of excellence' for environmentally sound and efficient solutions for electronic waste collection, logistics and processing. |
