Embracing Biodiversity – How the ICT sector can go beyond COP 15


ITU

Session 515

Monday, 22 May 2023 14:00–15:00 (UTC+02:00) Thematic Workshop

Unlike many other products and services, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) distinguishes itself by its double-edged nature. ICTs directly impact the environment, biodiversity, loss resulting from raw material extraction, increased production, contaminating disposal of end-of-life ICT equipment, and land occupation. However, at the same time, ICTs and digital technologies such as IoT, artificial intelligence and digital twin are helping monitor biodiversity through remote sensor networks, data gathering and management to promote the conservation of biodiversity. The session will also take into consideration relevant decisions based on COP27 and The Sharm el Sheikh Action plan. 

This session will:

  • explore both aspects of the ICT sector and its impact on biodiversity
  • highlight how ICTs and digital technologies can be harnessed for biodiversity action and to address and go beyond the goals set out by COP 15.
  • address the role and need for international standards.

Learn from industry representatives and experts.


Seizo Onoe
Seizo Onoe Director Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, ITU

Seizo Onoe took office as Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB) at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on 1 January 2023.

Before his election as TSB Director by ITU Member States, he completed an over 30-year career with Japanese mobile operator NTT DOCOMO. In 2021, he became Executive Vice President and Chief Standardization Strategy Officer for the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) Corporation and a Fellow of NTT DOCOMO, INC. From 2017, he served as NTT DOCOMO’s Chief Technology Architect and President of its subsidiary DOCOMO Technology.

Between 2012 and 2017, he served as NTT DOCOMO’s Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President, a Member of the Board of Directors, and Managing Director of R&D Innovation Division. Earlier, he served as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of NTT DOCOMO’s R&D Strategy Department and Managing Director of the company’s Radio Network Development Department.

As TSB Director, he heads the part of ITU responsible for the coordination of technical standards and collaborative standardization processes that enable the interconnection and interoperability of information and communication technologies (ICTs) worldwide.

Mr Onoe is committed to facilitating open and inclusive standardization processes, along with promoting digital technologies to address global issues, building a new ecosystem that reflects evolving technologies, and strengthening cooperation and collaboration in ICT standardization worldwide.

Known in the industry as “the father of LTE” (Long-Term Evolution), he helped upgrade the wireless broadband standard for mobile devices and networks. He now aims for global outreach to bridge standardization gaps, deliver the benefits of technology widely and speedily, and ensure meaningful and affordable broadband access for everyone.

Mr Onoe holds a Master’s degree in electronics from the Kyoto University Graduate School of Engineering.

Mr Onoe is married and has two children.​


Reyna Ubeda
Reyna Ubeda Project Officer ITU-T Study Group 5 "Environment, EMF and Circular Economy"

Reyna studied Industrial Engineering at the Thomas More University in Nicaragua and pursued a Master on International Management from the University for Economics and Environment Nürtingen- Geislingen in 2014. 

She joined the ITU’s Standardization Bureau in 2015 and she currently serves as Project Officer for ITU-T Study Group 5 on EMF, environment, climate action, sustainable digitalization, and circular economy​. Reyna is fluent in Spanish, English and German.


Jean-Manuel Canet
Jean-Manuel Canet Vice-chairman of ITU-T Study Group 5 "Environment, EMF and Circular Economy" ITU-T Study Group 5 Moderator

Jean Manuel is a Senior Manager, in charge of Climate and Biodiversity in the CSR Department of Orange Group. He has developed an expertise in the assessment of the environmental impact of ICT goods, services and organizations. He earlier led numerous projects to assess and reduce GHG emissions related to IT, for customers such as the European Parliament, France Télévisions or Zurich Financial Services. He serves as Vice-Chairman of ITU-T SG5 and Co-Rapporteur of the “Climate change and assessment of digital technologies in the framework of the SDGs and the Paris Agreement” question. He served as a member of the Advisory Panel of the UNFCCC “Momentum for Change” initiative. He also led projects developing public and private MOOCs (Massive Online Open Courses). Jean-Manuel graduated from Télécom ParisTech and the MBA Programme of the “Collège des Ingénieurs”. He holds a certificate in carbon accountancy from the French National Agency for Energy and Environment and a certificate in carbon finance from Carbone 4 Academy.


Gianni Pavan
Gianni Pavan Researcher University of Pavia, Italy

Master Degree in Nature Science at the University of Pavia in 1983. Researcher and Professor of Ecology at the University of Architecture of Venice (1994-2005), Professor of Bioacoustics, Ecology, and Applied Ecology at the University of Pavia (2006-now). Expert in Bioacoustics, Ecoacoustics (cofounder of this discipline), and Computational Bioacoustics in both terrestrial and marine environments; ​he applies advanced technologies to study the soundscape of Natural Protected Areas.


Zeng Ming
Zeng Ming Partnership Director TECH4ALL programme, Huawei Technologies

Project Manager of TECH4ALL Digital Inclusion Programme Office at Huawei . She is responsible for the partnership development and project management in environment domain of TECH4ALL initiative. Before joining Huawei, Zeng Ming worked as a long-term conservationist in WWF/ASC/Qingdao Marine Conservation Society for more than 15 years.


Philippe Tuzzolino
Philippe Tuzzolino Senior Vice President of Environment Orange Group, France

Philippe TUZZOLINO is the Vice President Environment of the Orange Group, he oversees the Environment and the organization of Climate Change: Net Zero carbon objectives, impact on biodiversity and carbon sequestration policy. He defines policies and monitors energy consumption and the Group's overall footprint (Orange is present in 164 countries for business). As responsible for the Carbon Footprint, he participated in the development of methodologies for the ICT sector so that the sector complies with the IPCC recommendations as a member of the ITU-T Study Group "Climate Change" and also participates at the COP. He is a member of the Strategic Materials Committee of BERCY. Before joining the Orange Group, Mr. TUZZOLINO held several positions on Strategic innovation projects at the Headquarter of La Poste and at the French Ministry of Defense.


Paolo Gemma
Paolo Gemma WP2/5 Chairman ITU-T Study Group 5

Paolo Gemma is a senior specialist and representative of Huawei on issues related to energy saving and environmental sustainability. Prior to joining Huawei, Dr. Gemma was working with Nokia Siemens Networks, where he was responsible for EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) and electrical safety areas. He also worked in the Siemens Communications Division. Dr. Paolo Gemma also plays an active role in international standardization activities. Since 1993, he has been engaged in ETSI (European Telecommunication Standard Institute) activities and he also participates in the development of EMC standards. In 1997, Dr. Gemma joined ITU-T Study Group 5 on Environment, Climate Change, and Circular Economy as a Rapporteur and he is now the Chairman of Working Party 2 “Environment, Energy Efficiency and the Circular E​conomy”. He also acts as Vice-chairmen of the United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) initiative. In 2002, Paolo Gemma was appointed as the Secretary of the Committee ETSI TC EE and as of 2009, he holds the position of Chairman of the EEPS EE(eco Environmental product standard) working group. Paolo Gemma is a graduate of electrical engineering from the University of Genoa.​​


Topics
Digital Transformation Environment
WSIS Action Lines
  • AL C6 logo C6. Enabling environment
  • AL C7 E–EMP logo C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-employment
Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 13 logo Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
  • Goal 14 logo Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources
  • Goal 15 logo Goal 15: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss