ITU-T Study Group 5: Electromagnetic fields (EMF), environment, climate action, sustainable digitalization and circular economy
(Study Period 2022 - 2024)
ITU T Study Group 5 is responsible for the development of standards on the environmental aspects of ICT and digital technologies and protection of the environment, including electromagnetic phenomena and climate change.
Study Group 5 will study how the digital transformation can be shaped to ensure it supports transitions towards more sustainable societies.
Study Group 5 will also study issues related to resistibility, human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF), circular economy, energy efficiency and climate change adaptation and mitigation. It will develop international standards, guidelines, technical papers and assessment frameworks that support the sustainable use and deployment of ICTs and digital technologies, and evaluate the environmental performance, including biodiversity, of digital technologies such as, but not limited to, 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), smart manufacturing, automation, etc.
Study Group 5 is also responsible for studying design methodologies and frameworks to reduce the volume and adverse environmental effects of e-waste and to support the transition towards a circular economy.
Study Group 5 has an extended role in evaluating the impact of ICTs in accelerating climate-change adaptation and mitigation actions, particularly in industries (including the ICT sector), cities, rural areas and communities. To this end, it is also working to develop standards and guidelines for building resilient ICT infrastructures in rural areas and communities, as well as to develop assessment methodologies for the trajectories of the ICT sector in connection with the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement.
In addition to its climate-focused activities, Study Group 5 has five other objectives. The first is to protect ICT (including telecommunication equipment and installations) against damage and malfunction due to electromagnetic phenomena, such as lightning, as well as from particle radiations. In this field, Study Group 5 is one of the world's most experienced and respected standardization bodies. The second is to ensure safety of personnel and users of networks in relation to electrical hazards existing in ICT networks. The third is to avoid health risks from EMF produced by telecommunication devices and installations. Study Group 5 will develop standards to give operators, manufacturers, and government agencies the tools required to assess EMF levels and to verify compliance with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended human exposure guidelines and limits. The fourth objective is to guarantee good reliability and low latency for high-speed network services by providing requirements on resistibility and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). The fifth is EMC, which is another key component of Study Group 5’s work, by ensuring that the functionality of telecommunication equipment is not compromised by electromagnetic interference related to radiated and conducted disturbances emitted by other electrical or communications systems. EMC is becoming particularly relevant in taking into account the convergence of telecommunication and IT equipment, as well as in ensuring the efficient operation of home networks.
Study Group 5 is responsible for studies on how to use ICTs and digital technologies to tackle environmental challenges in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Lead Study Group Roles
electromagnetic compatibility, resistibility and lightning protection
soft error caused by particle radiations
human exposure to electromagnetic fields
circular economy and e-waste management
- ICTs related to the environment, energy efficiency, clean energy and sustainable digitalization for climate actions
Recommendations under SG5 Responsibility
