Measuring the Emissions & Energy Footprint of the ICT Sector: Implications for Climate Action
In this issue
The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector finds itself at a pivotal moment – while propelling digital transformation across the globe, it is also contributing to climate change. Enabling more people to get online and to use the Internet productively can help deliver massive development payoffs, including by helping communities become more resilient to climate change through improved access to information and service delivery. Despite the sector’s remarkable growth, 2.6 billion people remain offline. In addition, the sector’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions rival those of the aviation industry, and its energy requirements often impose pressure on resources. Therefore, the pressing global challenge lies in closing the connectivity gap and leveraging digital technologies for climate action in an environmentally sustainable manner.
