Cities are responsible for more than 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions and accountable for 60-80% of the global energy consumption.
Cities need to invent new ways to achieve sustainable development and meet the challenges of 21st century— low-carbon energy, sustainable clean water, reduced air and water pollution, effective waste management, and resilience to global climate change.
Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) can be a double-edged sword. By consuming energy and natural resources, ICTs contribute to degrade and deplete the environment. Off-setting this, ICTs can revolutionize our society by providing digital solutions that improve people’s quality life and enable energy efficiency achievements.
A common framework to assess the environmental impact of ICT in cities is crucial to help cities make realistic transparent reporting on the existing situation and help them understand what actions are needed to reduce their GHG emissions and energy consumption.
Monday, 17 September 2012
08:30 - 09:30
Registration
09:30 - 09:35
Opening Ceremony
Malcolm Johnson, Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, ITU [ BIOGRAPHY | SPEECH ]
09:35 - 09:45
Keynote Speech
Cristina Bueti, Advisor on ICTs, Environment and Climate Change, ITU [ BIOGRAPHY | PRESENTATION ]
09:45 - 10:00
Keynote Speech
Colette Maloney, Head of Unit, ICT for Sustainable Growth, DG Connect [ PRESENTATION ]
10:00 - 11:00
Roundtable 1 –Assessment of ICT Footprint in Cities
This roundtable examined how cities can assess their GHG emissions and energy consumption. In addition, it provided an overview of international standards, indicators and ICT reporting tools for measuring ICT footprints in cities. This roundtable provided also an opportunity for cities to share their experiences in assessing GHG emissions and reducing energy consumption.
Moderator:
Jean Manuel Canet, Rapporteur Q.18/5, France Telecom [ BIOGRAPHY ]
Speakers:
Vin Sumner, Managing Director, Clicks and Links Ltd on behalf of City of Manchester [ BIOGRAPHY | PRESENTATION ]
Frans-Anton Vermast, Senior Strategy Advisor for Low Carbon and Connected Urban Planning, City of Amsterdam [ BIOGRAPHY ]
Q&A
11:00 - 11:30
Coffee Break
11:30 - 12:30
Roundtable 2 – Regulation Versus Implementation of Voluntary Standards
This roundtable discussed the need for a possible regulation versus the implementation of voluntary standards to reduce GHG emissions and energy consumption in cities.
Moderator:
Bilel Jamoussi, Chief of ITU-T Study Group Department, ITU [ BIOGRAPHY ]
The Forum concluded with a Call to Action which identifies the main steps to be taken to help cities reduce their GHG emissions and energy consumption.
Bilel Jamoussi, Chief of ITU-T Study Group Department, ITU [ BIOGRAPHY ]
