Connecting the world and beyond

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Name :	GOULDEN, Anna
Date :	December 09, 2021
Organization :	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Country :	United Kingdom
Job Title :	Policy Advisor
Contribution :	Both a vital tool for climate action and a key contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, the Internet has a range of positive and negative impacts on the environment. The Covid-19 pandemic in particular has shed light on some of the benefits the Internet can offer. With interactions ranging from international meetings to social gatherings and school classrooms going online, the Internet has proved itself to be a critical alternative to in-person interactions and thus an effective way of reducing high-emission travel. At the same time, the Internet continues to be an important tool for directly monitoring and responding to climate change, be it by optimising energy use in homes, forecasting extreme weather events or facilitating research on sustainable energy sources. However, despite the Internet’s positive contribution to environmental issues, it must not be forgotten that the Internet itself, or at least the Infrastructure supporting it, is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. According to a 2020 publication by The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, ICTs account for about 4 percent of global electricity consumption, and 1.4 percent of global carbon emissions. Furthermore, the growing quantity of E-waste, also known as waste electrical and electronic equipment, is another major threat to the wellbeing of our planet. An Open Consultation is an excellent opportunity to build knowledge and develop strategies to address these issues, thus harnessing the potential of the Internet to build a greener future for all.
Attachments :	UK contribution to CWG-Internet Open Consultation January 2022.docx.pdf