​​​​​​​​​​​Executive Summary of the ITU-T Study Group 5 Meeting “Environment, Climate Change and Circular Economy” (Geneva, 11-21 September 2018)

Statistics

• Participants: 122
• Contributions: 132
• TDs (not counting the revisions): 228
• Incoming/ Outgoing liaison statements: 50 incoming liaison statements / 26 Outgoing liaison statements TD654-R5​ (also see LS database)

Main discussions and results

​At its meeting in Geneva, 11-21 September 2018, ITU-T Study Group 5 achieved the following outcomes:

• Consented Recommendations: 12 at this meeting;
• Recommendations Decided/Determined/Approved: 1 Recommendation approved at this meeting;
• Recommendations agreed for Deletion: none at this meeting;
• Other texts agreed: 8 at this meeting;
• New work items: 22 at this meeting.

Major accomplishments

Approval of the report of the last SG5 meeting​
The report of the last ITU-T SG5 meeting held in Sophia Antipolis, France, from 13 to 22 November 2017 was approved as contained in Report 2. The report of the WP2/5 “Environment, Energy Efficiency and the Circular Economy” meeting held from 5 to 9 March 2018 in Geneva, was presented and approved as contained in TD675 and Report 3. The report of the WP1/5 “EMC, lightning protection, EMF” meeting held from 21 to 25 May 2018 in Geneva was presented and approved as contained in TD676​ and Report 4.​

Approved Recommendations by ITU-T SG5 (according to A.8 §5)​

​​ITU-T Rec. Number	Title​	Question	TD
​ITU-T L.1450	​Methodologies for the assessment of the environmental impact of the information and communication technology sector	​9/5	​TD730-R1

Recommendations Consented by SG5 for Last Call (AAP - Recommendation A.8)​

Revised Recommendations​

ITU-T Rec. Number	Title​	Question​	​ TD​
None ​	​	​	​

New Recom​mendations

Document	Work item or provisional name	Title	Question	TD
​ITU-T K.134	K.psp​	Protection of small-size telecommunication installations with poor earthing conditions​	1/5​	TD685-R2​​
​ITU-T K.135	K.rcd​	Technical parameters for residual current operated protective devices with automatic reclosing feature for- telecom applications​	2/5​	TD747​
​ITU-T K.136	K.radio_emc​	Electromagnetic Compatibility requirements for radio telecommunication equipment	4/5​	TD708-R3​
​ITU-T K.137	K.wire-line_emc​	Electromagnetic compatibility requirements and measurement methods for wire-line telecommunication network equipment	4/5​	TD713-R3​
​ITU-T K.138	K.soft_mes​	Quality estimation methods and application guidelines for mitigation measures based on particle radiation tests​	5/5​	TD689​
​ITU-T K.139	K.soft_req​	Reliability requirements for telecommunication systems affected by particle radiation​	5/5​	TD693​
​ITU-T L.1221	L.ENST2battery​	Innovative energy storage technology for stationary use - Part 2: Battery​	6/5​	TD717-R4​
​ITU-T L.1303	L.green_mgm_DC​	Functional requirements and framework of green data centre energy-saving management system​	6/5​	TD711-R2​
​ITU-T L.1361	L.mmNFV​	Measurement method for energy efficiency of Network Function Virtualization​	6/5​	TD680-R​1
​ITU-T L.1370	L.SIB​	Sustainable and intelligent building services​	6/5​	TD731-R1​
​ITU-T L.1031	L.EW2020​	Guideline on implementing the e-waste reduction target of the Connect 2020 Agenda​	7/5​	TD732​
​ITU-T L.1015	L.CEM​	Criteria for evaluation of the environmental impact of mobile phones​	7/5​	TD759-R2

Document	Work item or provisional name	Title	Question	TD
K.Suppl.15 to ITU-T K.20, K.21, K.44​	K.Suppl.15 to Recommendations ITU-T K.20, K.21, K.44	Internal DC powering interface surge testing factors	2/5​​	TD735​
Appendix I to Recommendation ITU-T K.70​	Appendix I to Recommendation ITU-T K.70	Software EMF-estimator​	3/5	TD721​
Appendix V to Recommendation ITU-T K.52​	Appendix V to Recommendation ITU-T K.52	Calculator for equivalent isotropic radiated power as described in Recommendation ITU-T K.52​	3/5	TD722​
Revised Supplement 4 to ITU-T K.91​	Revised K.Suppl.4 to Recommendation ITU-T K.91	Electromagnetic field considerations in smart sustainable cities​	3/5​	TD724-R1
​K.Suppl.16 to ITU-T K. series​	K.Supp-5G_EMF_Compliance​	Electromagnetic field (EMF) compliance assessments for 5G wireless networks​	3/5​	TD723​
​Appendix VIII to Recommendation ITU-T K.91	Appendix VIII to Recommendation ITU-T K.91​	Manhole type base station​	3/5​	TD725
​Appendix IX to Recommendation ITU-T K.91	Appendix IX to Recommendation ITU-T K.91​	EMF monitoring and information platform​	3/5​	TD727-R1​
​Revised K.Suppl.11 to ITU-T K.131	Revised K.Suppl.11 to ITU-T K.131​	Soft error measures for field programmable gate arrays	5/5	TD690

Agreed questionnaire

Title			Question	​TD
None

New work items

TD	Work item	​Title	Question
​TD726	K.Suppl to ​Recommendations ITU‑T K.20, K.21 and K.44	Internal DC powering interface surge testing factors​	2/5
TD739	K.Suppl.telecom_centre to K.20	Technical rationale of resistibility of telecommunication equipment installed in a telecommunication centre against lightning	2/5
TD738	K.Suppl.customer to K.21	Technical rationale of resistibility of telecommunication equipment installed in customer premises against lightning	2/5
TD740	K.Suppl.access_trunk_networks to K.45	Technical rationale of resistibility of telecommunication equipment installed in the access and trunk networks against lightning	2/5​
TD733-R1	KSTR.EMF_assess	Case studies of RF-EMF assessments	3/5​
TD728	​Revision of ITU-T K.116	Electromagnetic compatibility requirements and test methods for radio telecommunication terminal equipment	4/5​
TD736	​K.soft_dev	Parameters of semiconductor devices required for design of telecommunication equipment applying soft error countermeasures	5/5​
TD712	​Revision of ITU-T K.78	High altitude electromagnetic pulse immunity guide for telecommunication centres	5/5​
TD705	​L.Energy_Crypto_currency	Energy consumption of crypto currency	6/5​
TD704-R1	​L.SP_OB	A methodology for improving, assessing and scoring the sustainability performance of office buildings	6/5​
TD703-R2	​L.DCIM	Specifications of data centre infrastructure management (DCIM) system based on Big Data and AI technology	6/5​
TD692-R1	​L.1310 Revision	Energy efficiency metrics and measurement methods for telecommunication equipment	6/5​
TD746-R1	​L.SM_B	Sustainable management of batteries resulting from ICT equipment	​7/5
​TD776-R1	​L.ICT_CE	ICT response to circular economy	7/5​
​TD768-R3	​L.Counterfeit	Adequate Assessment and Sensitisation on Counterfeit ICT Products and their Environmental Impact	7/5​
TD745	​L.CE_Industry 4.0	Circular Economy and Industry 4.0​	7/5​
TD777-R1	​L.AI-Env_effects	AI environmental effect on Networks goods and services	9/5​
TD771-R2	​L.TCFD	Application of the activities of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures in the ICT sector	9/5​
TD772	​L.Biodiversity	The impact of the ICT sector on Biodiversity	​9/5
TD773-R2	​L.Criticality-index	Rare metals criticality index	9/5​
TD774-R2	L.Carbon-Neutrality	Carbon neutrality for organizations in the ICT sector	9/5
TD775-R1​	Suppl.Ltrajectories to ITU-T L.1450	GHG emissions trajectories for the ICT sector compatible with the UNFCCC Paris Agreement​	9/5

Action plans for implementation of WTSA-16 Resolutions 72 and 73 (Rev. Hammamet, 2016) and Resolution 79 (Dubai, 2012) (human exposure to EMF, environment and climate change, and e-waste)

TD678 contains a proposed “Action Plan” for the implementation of WTSA-16 Resolutions 72 and 73 (Rev. Hammamet, 2016) and Resolution 79 (Dubai, 2012) (human exposure to EMF, environment and climate change, and e-waste).

TD677 contains Plenipotentiary Resolution 176 (Human exposure to and measurement of electromagnetic fields) and Plenipotentiary Resolution 182 (The role of telecommunications/information and communication technologies in regard to climate change and the protection of the environment).

List of stale work items​

TSB provided information on the list of stale work items as contained in TD633. The Rapporteur of the concerned Question (Q6/5) was encouraged to discuss this work item during Q6/5 sessions and take appropriate action. The concerned work item was updated during the sessions as contained in TD762.

Collaboration matters and Information Sharing

The following TDs were presented by TSB and were noted during the ITU-T SG5 opening plenary:

• ​​​​​​TD674 - Communiqué of the TSB Director CTO Meeting;
• ​TD564 - Bridging the standardization gap and Regional Groups; and
• TD642 - ITU Kaleidoscope 2017 academic conference (K-2017) - papers of interest to ITU-T Study Group 5.
  
  A Bridging the Standardization Gap training to the SG5 Regional Group Chairmen was held on Friday 14 September 2018. The training provided an overview on how to strengthen the work of the Regional Groups.

United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) initiative

TSB provided an overview of the main achievements of the U4SSC. More information is contained in TD644.

ITU-T SG5 Regional Groups​

ITU-T SG5 Regional Group for the Arab Region (SG5RG-ARB)
The ITU-T SG5RG-ARB held its first meeting on 10 April 2018 in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The Report of the meeting was presented as contained in TD631.

The ITU-CITET Regional Training Workshop on ICT for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Arab Region took place in Tunis, Tunisia, on 12-13 July 2017. The Report of the meeting is contained in TD595-R1.​

ITU-T SG5 Regional Group for Latin America (SG5RG-LATAM)
The ITU-T SG5RG-LATAM held its first meeting on 19 April 2018 in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. The Report of the meeting was presented as contained in TD632.

TD624 contains the request from INDOTEL, Dominican Republic to consider the appointment of Ms Ana Carolina Franco as Vice-chairman of SG5RG-LATAM. It was agreed to appoint Ms Ana Franco as SG5RG-LATAM Vice-chairman.

ITU-T SG5 Regional Group for Africa (SG5RG-AFR)
The ITU-T SG5RG-AFR held its first meeting on 9 April 2018 in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The Report of the meeting was presented as contained in TD630​.

​Working Party meetings

The draft Report of Working Party 1/5 can be found in TD590-R3.
The draft Report of Working Party 2/5 can be found in TD591-R2.

Question 8/5 - Guides and te​rminology on environment and climate change

During this meeting, Q8/5 achieved the following key outcomes:

Reviewed and replied to the following incoming liaisons:

• ​TD599 - LS/i on Definition of broadband access [from SCV]. The reply is contained in TD687-R1.
• TD635 - LS/i on new ITU-T SG2 terms and definitions [from SCV]. The reply is contained in TD702-R1.
• TD600 - LS/i on New ITU-T SG13 terms and definitions [from SCV]. The reply is contained in TD688-R1.
  

Working Party 1/5 - EMC, lightning protection, EMF​​

Working Party 1 made significant progress and achieved the following key outcomes:

Question 1/5 - Protection of information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure from electromagnetic surges

The main results of this meeting are as follows:

Five Contributions relevant to Q1/5 were submitted to the Q1/5 meeting, two of which are relevant to draft Recommendation ITU-T K.vss “Lightning protection and earthing of video surveillance system” and three of which are relevant to draft Recommendation ITU-T K.psp “Protection of small-size telecommunication installations with poor earthing conditions.

Draft Recommendation K.psp on “Protection of small-size telecommunication installations with poor earthing conditions” was agreed to send for consent to SG5 as contained in TD685-R2.

The meeting report of Q1/5 is contained in TD581-R2.

Question 2/5 - Equipment resistibility and protective components

Q2/5 meeting discussed 58 input documents in the following areas:

Discussion of Additional Review text for draft revised Recommendations ITU-T K.20 “Resistibility of telecommunication equipment installed in a telecommunication centre to overvoltages and overcurrents”, ITU-T K.21 “Resistibility of telecommunication equipment installed in customer premises to overvoltages and overcurrents” and ITU-T K.44 “Resistibility tests for telecommunication equipment exposed to overvoltages and overcurrents - Basic Recommendation”. 

Reviewed Contributions received on Recommendations ITU-T K.20, ITU-T K.21, ITU-T K.44 and ITU-T K.45 “Resistibility of telecommunication equipment installed in the access and trunk networks to overvoltages and overcurrents”. 

Discussion on Contributions received on metal oxide varistors (MOVs) (Six documents discussed).
 
Q2/5 experts completed draft Recommendation ITU-T K.rcd on “Technical parameters for residual current operated protective devices with automatic reclosing feature for- telecom applications” and sent it to ITU-T SG5 for consent as contained in TD747.

Q2/5 experts agreed on a new work item on Supplement to Recommendations ITU-T K.20, ITU-T K21 and ITU-T K44 on “Internal DC powering interface surge testing factors”, which was completed and sent to SG5 for agreement as contained in TD726 (A.1) and TD735.  
The meeting report of Q2/5 is contained in TD582-R1.

Question 3/5 - Human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from information and communication technologies (ICTs)

Q3/5 meeting discussed 42 input documents.

One new and one revised Supplement were discussed and sent to ITU-T SG5 for agreement. Additionally, 3 new Appendices were proposed, and 1 Appendix was revised and sent to SG5 for agreement.

A session was dedicated to revise and provide comments to the new ICNIRP guidelines on “Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields, (100 kHz TO 300 GHz)”. In cooperation with ITU-R and ITU-D experts, and based on the received Contribution C311” ITU Intersectorial Response to "ICNIRP Public Consultation of the Draft ICNIRP Guidelines on Limiting EMF Exposure (100 kHz to 300 GHz)” from ATDI and Orange Polska and also from the inputs received during the meeting, 32 comments have been included and sent to ICNIRP which are contained in TD696-R1.

The new Supplement: K.Supp-5G_EMF_Compliance: “Electromagnetic field (EMF) compliance assessments for 5G wireless networks” was sent for agreement as contained in TD723. It includes consideration of the new technologies that will be implementing in 5G mobile systems.

The Supplement 4 to ITU-T K.91 Recommendation on “Electromagnetic field considerations in smart sustainable cities” was revised to take into account the 5G mobile technology. It was sent to ITU-T SG5 for agreement as contained in TD724-R1.

A new version of the software EMF-estimator (Appendix I to K.70) and software K.52-calculator (Appendix V to K.52) were sent to SG5 for agreement as contained in TD721 and in TD722.The new Appendix V will replace the current ITU-T K.Suppl.2 to ITU-T K.52 on “Calculator for equivalent isotropic radiated power as described in Recommendation ITU-T K.52”, which contains the previous version of this software. Therefore it was agreed to delete this Supplement as contained in TD741.

A new Appendix VIII “Manhole type base station” and new Appendix IX “EMF monitoring and information platform” both to Recommendation ITU-T K.91 on “Guidance for assessment, evaluation and monitoring of the human exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields” were agreed to be sent to SG5 for agreement as contained in TD725 and in TD727-R1.

The scope of work item K.dosimeter was expanded to cover safety of the worker in radiocommunication sites as contained in TD718.

There were two dedicated sessions at the meeting. In the first one, Dr Emilie van Deventer described the current WHO activity concerning RF EMF. In the second one, Dr Luca Chiaraviglio described the problems with “Planning 5G Networks under EMF Constraints”.

The Q3/5 work programme was revised and updated. The meeting report of Q3/5 is contained in TD583-R2.

Question 4/5 - Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) issues arising in the telecommunication environment

All documents related to Question 4/5 were discussed. The two new draft Recommendations: ITU-T K.radio_emc “Electromagnetic Compatibility requirements for radio telecommunication equipment - Product family Recommendation” and ITU-T K.wire-line_emc “Electromagnetic compatibility requirements for wire-line telecommunication network equipment - Product family Recommendation”, were completed and agreed to submit to ITU-T SG5 for consent.

Draft Recommendation ITU-T K.IPE “Electromagnetic compatibility requirements for Information Perception Equipment” and draft revised Recommendation ITU-T K.123 "Electromagnetic compatibility requirements for electrical equipment in telecommunication facilities" were discussed and progress was made; the objective is to complete these two work items in 2019.

It was agreed to start the revision of the Recommendation ITU-T K.116 “Electromagnetic compatibility requirements and test methods for radio telecommunication terminal equipment” to include the EMC requirements for 5G mobile telecommunication terminals” (ref.: C356​).

The Q4/5 work programme was revised and updated. The meeting report of Q4/5 is contained in TD584-R2.

Question 5/5 - Security and reliability of information and communication technology (ICT) systems from electromagnetic and particle radiations

The main results of Q5/5 meeting are as follows:

The two work items regarding the soft error which are draft Recommendation ITU-T K.soft_mes “Quality estimation methods and application guidelines for mitigation measures based on particle radiation tests” and draft Recommendation ITU-T K.soft_req “Reliability requirements for telecommunication systems affected by particle radiation” were discussed and agreed to be sent to SG5 Plenary for consent as contained in TD689 and TD693.

The revision of ITU-T K.Suppl.11 to ITU-T K.131 - Soft error measures for field programmable gate arrays” was proposed and also agreed to be sent to SG5 Plenary for agreement.

Two new work items on draft Recommendation ITU-T K.soft_dev “Parameters of semiconductor devices required for design of telecommunication equipment applying soft error countermeasures”, and the revision of Recommendation ITU-T K.78 “High altitude electromagnetic pulse immunity guide for telecommunication centres” were proposed and agreed.

The meeting report of Q5/5 is contained in TD585-R2​.

Working Party 2/5 – Environment, Energy Efficiency and the Circular Economy

Working Party 2 made significant progress and achieved the following key outcomes:

Question 6/5 - Achieving energy efficiency and smart energy

All 19 contributions were reviewed and the documents under study were improved based on the contributions received. Seven incoming liaison statements were discussed in detailed and 6 outgoing liaison statements were prepared.

Draft ITU-T Recommendation L.ENST2battery “Innovative energy storage technology for stationary use - Part 2: Battery”, L.green_mgm_DC “Functional requirements and framework of green data centre energy-saving management system”, L.mmNFV “Measurement method for energy efficiency of Network Function Virtualization”, L.SIB “Sustainable and intelligent building services” were submitted to SG5 for consent.

Four new work items were created. They are Draft Recommendation on ITU-T L.Energy_Crypto_currency “Energy consumption of crypto currency”, ITU-T L.SP_OB “A methodology for improving, assessing and scoring the sustainability performance of office buildings”, ITU-T L.DCIM “Specifications of data centre infrastructure management (DCIM) system based on Big Data and AI technology” and revision of Recommendation ITU-T L.1310 “Energy efficiency metrics and measurement methods for telecommunication equipment”.

The stale work item L.EE_frame was discussed, and an updated version can be found in TD762.

The report of Q6/5 meeting is contained in TD586-R3.

During WP2/5 closing plenary, there was discussion on revising the work item L.EE_5G on “Energy efficiency Metrics and measurement methodology for 5G solutions” as contained in TD779-R2, in order to change the title from “Energy efficiency Metrics and measurement methodology for 5G solutions” to “Energy efficiency Metrics and measurement methodology for 5G base station”. Some editorial changes to the scope were also made.

Question 7/5 – Circular economy including e-waste

Q7/5 reviewed the progress report of the Question, which can be found in TD682. Experts examined and discussed 26 contributions related to the work items including: ITU-T L.EW2020 “Guideline on implementing the E-waste reduction target of the Connect2020 agenda”; ITU-T L.CEM “Criteria for evaluation of the environmental impact of mobile phones”; ITU-T L.ER “Guidelines and Accreditation for e- Waste Recyclers”; and L.CE_Concepts “Circular Economy; Definitions and concepts for material efficiency for ICT”, in addition to a number of contributions related to new work items and other topics.

Additionally, experts of Q7/5 reviewed the baseline documents for L.EW2020 “Guideline on implementing the E-waste reduction target of the Connect2020 agenda” and L.CEM “Criteria for evaluation of the environmental impact of mobile phones”. It was agreed to submit both draft Recommendations for consent as contained in: TD732 and TD759-R2. The two work items L.ER and L.CE_Concepts were also discussed in details and the baseline documents have been amended in light of the contributions received and the discussions that took place during the Question session.

Four new work items were agreed. They are: ITU-T L.SM_B “Sustainable management of batteries resulting from ICT equipment”; ITU-T L. ICT_CE “ICT response to circular economy”; ITU-T L.Counterfeit “Adequate Assessment and Sensitisation on Counterfeit ICT Products and their Environmental Impact”; and ITU-T L.CE Industry 4.0 “Circular Economy and Industry 4.0”.

The liaison rapporteur for CENELEC made a presentation concerning the latest developments in TC-10 as contained in TD764.

The report of Q7/5 meeting is contained in TD587-R1.

Question 9/5 - Climate change and assessment of information and communication technology (ICT) in the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
​
Q9/5 received 26 contributions. Progress was made on draft Recommendation ITU-T L.MAAP on “Methodology for assessing the aggregated positive sector-level impacts of ICT in other sectors”with a new baseline document, Draft Recommendation ITU-T L.1450 “Methodologies for the assessment of the environmental impact of the information and communication technology sector” was revised and it was agreed to propose it to WP2/5 and SG5 for final approval after the inclusion of the latest comments received.

Six new work items have been agreed and 2 work items were proposed for discontinuation. It should be noted that due to the close interrelation between Draft Recommendation on L.AI-Env_effects and the expected work to be carried out by the future Focus Group on Environment Efficiency for Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies (to be created at the next SG5 meeting), it was agreed to postpone the commencement of the work on L.AI-Env_effects.

There was an active and interesting exchange of views with SBTi (Science Based Targets Initiative) that would likely lead to an increased collaboration between SBTi and ITU. An outgoing LS to SBTi (Science Based Targets Initiative) was prepared with the goal to inform them of the creation of the work items corresponding to their activities.

The report of Q9/5 meeting is contained in TD589-R3.

​R​apporteur group meetings (including e-meetings)

The complete list of planned meetings can be found here.

Updates in the SG 5 Management Team and Rapporteurs:​

• Click here for the complete list of SG5 Rapporteurs and Associate Rapporteurs.
• Click here for the complete list of SG5 Liaison Rapporteurs and other representative roles.
• Click here​ for the complete list of SG5 management team.
  

Dates of next ITU-T SG5 meeting and Regional Group Meetings

• The next ITU-T SG5RG-LATAM meeting will take place on 24 October 2018 in Bogota, Colombia.
• The next ITU-T SG5RG-AP meeting will take place on 3 December 2018 in Wuxi, China.
• The next ITU-T Study Group 5 meeting is planned to take place from 13-22 May 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland.
  

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