Introduction

In December 2007 ITU-T issued a new report in its Technology Watch Briefing Reports series, entitled “ICTs and Climate Change”, showing how ICTs contribute to global warming, but also how they can mitigate its effects by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in other sectors of the economy such as travel. ICTs can also assist in monitoring climate change and in adapting to the changes it will bring. Following discussion of the issue in TSAG at its December 2007 session, it was agreed to launch a new ITU-T work programme in this area, with symposia being planned for Kyoto (15-16 April 2008, hosted by MIC Japan) and London (17-18 June 2008, hosted by BT).

SG15 can play its part in helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by implementing energy saving techniques in its standardisation work programme by focusing on the goals of reduced power consumption and energy efficiency. These tutorial sessions provide an overview of climate change and the part played by ICTs in this process. They then look at the European Code of Conduct for broadband equipment before moving on to consider opportunities and techniques for power saving in DSL and PON as well as energy efficient Ethernet. The sessions will also consider and help to refine the SG15 energy saving checklist.

Programme