Page 13 - Frontier Technologies to Protect the Environment and Tackle Climate Change

Frontier Technologies to Protect the Environment and Tackle Climate Change

Forewords

International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

A digital revolution is sweeping across the world, driven by the emergence of frontier technologies
ranging from artificial intelligence to the Internet of Things and 5G. Whether we are dealing with
rising sea levels, biodiversity loss, water shortages, air quality or food security, these technologies hold
great potential for addressing the root causes and already devastating effects of the climate crisis.

This timely report examines the implications and applications of frontier technologies, including their
impact on the environment. It takes us inside the United Nations system and beyond to explore how
these innovative technologies are being used in areas as diverse and critical as smart cities, earth
monitoring, natural disaster risk reduction, e-waste and water and electricity management.

ITU is at the forefront of this digital revolution. We harmonize the use of the radio-frequency spectrum
and satellite orbits, broker international standards and help ensure coherent policy and regulatory
frameworks for these fast-changing technologies. With influential platforms like the Green Standards
Week, ITU brings public and private actors together to identify Internet of Things and artificial
intelligence applications that can improve the quality and sustainability of life on the planet.

For the first time in history, more than half of the world’s population is using the Internet. Inequalities
in how frontier technologies are distributed and used risk creating new and evolving digital divides.
At stake is the ability to bring the benefits of the digital revolution to everyone, including all those in
developing countries, least developed countries and Small Island Developing States who are on the
frontline of climate change.

The UN family has a key role to play in building a global digital ecosystem for the environment. This
report is a call to action, an open invitation for governments, civil society, academia, the scientific
community and the technology industry to join UN agencies in their effort to leverage frontier
technologies to tackle one of the defining issues of our time.

Houlin Zhao
Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union

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