Groups and Committees

Energy and Environment Working Group

Next meeting:

• 25/06/2008
- Energy and Environment Working Group

Background

Environmental issues such as climate change, pollution and resource degradation are at the top of both the political and business agendas. Climate change in particular is a key issue and requires robust action by all of us to reduce our carbon footprint. In this respect the high tech sector is in a unique position.

On the one hand, our products and services, whether consumer electronics devices, communications equipment or software, have an energy requirement, and we need to work hard to ensure that this is minimised. On the other hand, many of our products help other sectors to work more efficiently and reduce their emissions:

• logistics software that improves the efficiency of distribution networks
• disruptive technologies like broadband that reduce the need for physical travel
• devices that help manage user behaviour

Despite this, there is an increasing focus on our sector as one of the 'bad guys'. We urgently need to ensure that our own practices and products lead the field in energy efficiency and to set the record straight by illustrating that ICT is part of the solution to climate change, not the problem.

The Energy and Environment Working Group was established in summer 2007 to explore how the technology sector can help bring about a low carbon economy, highlight the good work already being done across our industry and identify areas for improvement. The group produced a substantial report: 'High Tech: Low Carbon - the role of the technology sector in tackling climate change' (PDF 3.5MB) which was launched on 12th February 2008 at a conference in the City of London. more»

Industry Commitments

In the report we made a number of commitments on behalf of the technology sector, in which we undertook to:

• monitor and measure the emissions generated by our own products and services
• improve environmental performance throughout our own supply chain by sharing best practice
• stimulate and encourage behavioural change
• identify and accelerate the development of the best low carbon technologies

The next phase of this group's work will be to develop and implement a programme to deliver those commitments.

'High Tech: Low Carbon: The role of technology in tackling climate change' report

Report Abstract

'High Tech: Low Carbon' is about the technology sector and energy efficiency. This report starts by examining our own products and services and addresses a number of issues in turn including proliferation, energy used in standby and rapid obsolescence. It demonstrates that whilst we have not solved all the problems, the technology sector is very much aware of these issues, has embraced the challenge of energy efficiency and is implementing dramatic improvements. The report then explores the ways that technology helps other sectors to become more efficient, firstly by enhancing existing processes to make them more efficient, secondly by enabling new processes and thirdly, by transforming behaviour through virtualisation (creating new, low-carbon business models).

The report also examines existing sector emissions, which are still growing, and identifies some of the barriers that are preventing the downward trend that we all want to see. These barriers include policy, procurement, perverse incentives, user behaviour, and most importantly, the current absence of a market for carbon.

It then explores the energy savings – and associated reductions of emissions, achievable under ideal conditions, and the vital role that new, energy efficient technologies will play in carbon abatement. The importance of timing is emphasised as a critical factor in limiting atmospheric CO2.

The report ends with a call to action for our sector and a set of commitments. It concludes that innovation and the intelligent use of technology provide two possible solutions to climate change, and that everything possible must be done to accelerate their development and implementation.

Case Studies

The report is supported by a variety of case studies, and we would like to continue building this library to illustrate:

• how dramatic improvements in energy efficiency are already being achieved within the technology sectors
• how technology is being used to help other sectors improve their energy efficiency.
• how the intelligent application of technology can deliver measurable and substantial energy savings.

For further information, please view the related page.

Terms of Reference for Intellect’s Working Group on how the technology sector can contribute to a low carbon economy

• To contribute towards the important work Intellect is doing to build awareness that ICT is a solution to many environmental issues, not just the problem
• To explore and promote ways in which the ICT industry can reduce its carbon footprint
• To explore and promote ways in which the ICT industry can help other sectors reduce their carbon footprints
• To provide and develop case studies of industry best practice, innovations and solutions
• To identify energy efficiency technologies, energy reduction technologies, carbon mitigation technologies
• To showcase innovations and new technologies that tackle climate change
• To develop best practice guidance to help Intellect members reduce their environmental impact

Programme elements

Intellect’s Energy and Environment Programme will include the following elements:

• Report, on how the ICT industry can help make the low carbon economy a reality.
  - Final report published 12th February 2008, 'High Tech: Low Carbon - The role of technology in tackling climate change' (PDF 3.5MB) more» 
  - Case study library, published 3 March 2008 more»
  - Best practice guidance for Intellect members on improving energy efficiency of their products and business processes.

This activity complements Intellect’s existing policy and regulatory work on environmental issues, which you can find here.

Leadership Group

Our energy and environment strategy is guided by a leadership group of industry CEOs which includes the country managers for Intel, Microsoft, Dell, HP, Accenture and Sharp. More information will be available on our website shortly.

For further information contact:
Emma Fryer
T 020 7331 2160
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