JCA-ICT&CC Terms of Reference

The Joint Coordination Activity on ICTs and climate change (JCA-ICT&CC) has been established by TSAG during its first meeting of the study period 2009-2012 (Geneva, 28-30 April 2009) on the basis of the successful completion of the work of the Focus Group on ICT and Climate Change.

The purpose of the JCA-ICT&CC is to coordinate the ITU-T ICTs and climate change work amongst the ITU T Study Groups, and to liaise with the ITU-R and ITU-D Sectors. The membership shall comprise all ITU-T SG Chairmen, all ITU-T SG Counsellors/Engineers, the TSAG Chairman and Counsellor, a number of SG Chairmen’s appointees, ICT & CC contact persons in ITU-T Study Groups and invited representatives from relevant SDOs such as IEC, ISO or relevant academia, consortia or fora.

1. Rationale
• ICT may have at least three major relationships with Climate Change;
• ICTs are contributing directly to Climate Change, in particular to the production of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) (e.g. power consumption, proliferation of ICT devices, recycling of material, etc.);
• ICTs can also be applied in various sectors of industry, to reduce the impact of their operations on climate change, for instance by substituting for travel;
• ICTs can also be used to monitor climate parameters (e.g. networks for environmental monitoring, Ubiquitous Sensor Network).
2. Objectives
• To co-ordinate activity on ICT & CC across ITU-T Study Groups, in particular SGs (5, 9, 13, 15 and 16), and to coordinate with ITU-R and ITU-D.
• To provide a visible contact point for ICT and Climate Change activities in ITU-T, to seek co-operation from external bodies working in the field of ICT & CC and enable effective two-way communication with these bodies.
3. Working methods (in accordance with Section 2.2 of Recommendation A.1)
• The membership shall comprise all ITU-T SG Chairmen, all ITU-T SG Counsellors/Engineers, the TSAG Chairman and Counsellor, a number of SG Chairmen’s appointees, ICT & CC contact persons in ITU-T Study Groups and invited representatives from relevant SDOs such as IEC, ISO or relevant academia, consortia or fora.
• The JCA on ICT and Climate Change is working primarily by correspondence but can also meet in association with meetings of Study Groups where necessary. In addition urgent issues requiring attention can be flagged up at any time and the JCA can convene as appropriate (including web conferencing tools) to take action.
• The JCA on ICT and Climate Change will take advice and steer from TSAG.
The work of the JCA on ICT and Climate Change will progress its work mostly by electronic means (e-mail group and conference calls) and only hold face-to-face meeting when considered necessary.

Task Forces may be set up under the JCA to progress work as necessary.
4. Specific tasks
• Maintain a list of contacts for ICT & CC in each Study Group.
• Maintain a list of designated contacts within the external ICT & CC bodies.
• Co-ordinate with any proposed new and revised Questions in the ICT & CC area.
• Motivate and advise on the work in the individual SGs to complete and update their checklists, where appropriate, to promote reductions in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by making changes to new and existing Recommendations.
• Promote use of ICTs, as applied to other relevant sectors, to reduce the impact of their operations on climate change, for instance by substituting for travel.
• Promote a coordinated approach towards standardisation in the areas of three major relationships according to the Rationale above.
• Advise in the overall planning of tutorials and seminars/workshops.
• May address coordination of activity with recognised SDOs and forums, including periodic discussion of work plans and schedules of deliverables.
5. Administrative Support
   
   The TSB Secretariat will provide secretariat and facilities, including TIES access, required by the JCA, within the available resource limit.
6. Progress Reports
   
   The JCA will submit a report to SG5 (and other relevant SGs) and TSAG.