{"id":828,"date":"2024-10-09T09:09:10","date_gmt":"2024-10-09T09:09:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/green-digital-action\/?page_id=828"},"modified":"2026-09-29T08:36:05","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T08:36:05","slug":"ict-emissions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/green-digital-action\/impact\/ict-emissions\/","title":{"rendered":"Measure"},"content":{"rendered":"    <section>\n    <div class=\"text-section\">\n        <div class=\"ituContainer grid\">\n                                        <div class=\"text-section-left\" data-span=\"8\">\n                        <h2 class=\"h3\">\n        <strong>Build an evidence base on the environmental impacts of digital technologies<\/strong>\u00a0    <\/h2>\n                        <p>\n        The digital sector is a growing source of global GHG emissions with carbon emissions ranging from 1.5% to 4% of global emissions. To reach the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5\u00b0 C, emissions from the digital sector will need to be reduced by 45% by 2030.<br>    <\/p>\n            <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"text-section-right data-span-override\" data-span=\"4\">\n                    <div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"176\" height=\"176\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/green-digital-action\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/10\/Emissions.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-850\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;width:129px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/green-digital-action\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/10\/Emissions.png 176w, https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/green-digital-action\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/10\/Emissions-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 176px) 100vw, 176px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n\n    <section>\n    <div class=\"text-section\">\n        <div class=\"ituContainer grid\">\n                                        <div class=\"text-section-left\" data-span=\"8\">\n                        <h3 class=\"h5\">\n        The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/hub\/publication\/d-str-digital-04-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2026 Greening Digital Companies<\/a> report highlights a concerning trend: while the digital sector is rapidly advancing, its environmental impact is worsening.     <\/h3>\n                    <div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<li>The widening gap between digital expansion and sustainable practices underscores the urgent need for more robust and genuine commitments to mitigate the sector\u2019s escalating environmental footprint.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<li>Third-party verification, improved methodologies and regulation are essential for enhancing transparency and accuracy. &nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/div><\/ol>\n<\/div>                    <div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<li>The widening gap between digital expansion and sustainable practices underscores the urgent need for more robust and genuine commitments to mitigate the sector\u2019s escalating environmental footprint.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/div><\/ol>\n<\/div>            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n    <section>\n    <div class=\"text-section\">\n        <div class=\"ituContainer grid\">\n                                        <div class=\"text-section-left\" data-span=\"8\">\n            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n\n    <section>\n        <div class=\"ituContainer grid fullWidthCards\">\n                                                        <a class=\"ituCard anim blueblurb\" data-span=\"4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/en\/ITU-T\/studygroups\/2022-2024\/05\/Pages\/default.aspx\" target='blank' rel='noreferrer noopener'>\n                    <div class=\"content\">\n                <div class=\"main\">\n\n                                            <p class=\"title\">Developing harmonized methodologies<\/p>\n                                        <p><br>Join standardization efforts in ITU-T SG5 \u201cEnvironment, EMF and Circular Economy.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/en\/ITU-T\/studygroups\/2022-2024\/05\/Pages\/default.aspx\">Learn more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <\/a>\n    \n                                                            <div class=\"ituCard\" data-span=\"4\">\n                        <div class=\"content\">\n                <div class=\"main\">\n\n                                            <p class=\"title\">Monitoring emissions, energy use and e-waste<\/p>\n                                        <p><br>&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/en\/ITU-D\/Environment\/Pages\/Climate-Change\/Monitoring-ICT-industry-GHG-emissions-energy-use-and-climate-commitments-.aspx\">Monitoring ICT industry GHG emissions, energy use and climate commitments<\/a><br>&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/en\/ITU-D\/Environment\/Pages\/Climate-Change\/Country-ICT-Emissions-%26-Energy-Use-.aspx\">Supporting countries to monitor ICT sector GHG emissions and energy use<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/en\/ITU-D\/Environment\/Pages\/Priority-Areas\/E-waste\/E-waste-Data-Support.aspx\">&#8211; E-waste data and statistics<\/a><\/p>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n    \n                                                        <a class=\"ituCard anim blueblurb\" data-span=\"4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.greendigitalcoalition.eu\/egdc-pilot-project-delivers-methodologies-to-measure-the-enabling-impact-of-digital-solutions-on-the-climate\/\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\n                    <div class=\"content\">\n                <div class=\"main\">\n\n                                            <p class=\"title\">Measuring the net-impact of digital technologies<\/p>\n                                        <p><br>Learn how the EGDC is measuring the reduction and avoidance of GHG emissions by specific ICT solutions across sectors, building on ITU-T L.1480.<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <\/a>\n    \n                    <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n\n    <section>\n        <div class=\"ituContainer grid\">\n            <ul class=\"ituTimeline\" data-span=\"8\">\n                                        <li>\n        <div class=\"ituCard alt\">\n            <div class=\"main\">\n                <div class=\"content\">\n                    <strong>2023 \u2014 Launch of the Green Digital Action (GDA) GHG pillar<\/strong> <strong>at COP28<\/strong><br>ITU and partners launched the GHG Track under Green Digital Action to reduce ICT Sector GHG emissions through collaboration, robust accountability and transparent reporting\u00a0<br>Calls to action launched:<br>1. Setting (or already have set) 1.5 degree aligned science-based targets, to be validated (or already validated) by SBTi, for emissions reduction and commit to reduce accordingly scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, as well as to create and publish transition plans outlining how decarbonization trajectories and net-zero targets will be achieved<br>2. Reporting data on all GHG emission scopes and categories yearly, publicly and submit results to a public ITU database (dashboard 1.0 launched at COP29). \u200bWhen a company reports to CDP, this can be done through the CDP disclosure, making sure the submission is publicly available. When a company does not report to CDP, this can be done by reporting directly to the ITU.\u00a0<br>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n                                        <li>\n        <div class=\"ituCard alt\">\n            <div class=\"main\">\n                <div class=\"content\">\n                    <strong>2023 \u2014 <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/en\/ITU-D\/Environment\/Pages\/Publications\/Measuring-Emissions-and-Energy-Footprint-ICT-Sector.aspx\"><strong>Measuring the Emissions and Energy Footprint of the ICT Sector: Implications for Climate Action<\/strong><\/a><br>ITU and World Bank released this report which collates GHG emissions and electricity consumption from the ICT sector in the 30 highest emitting countries. The report also presents case studies from several countries which report on ICT emissions and energy use, in order to delve into regulatory approaches and policy implications inferred from the data.\u00a0                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n                                        <li>\n        <div class=\"ituCard alt\">\n            <div class=\"main\">\n                <div class=\"content\">\n                    <strong>2024 \u2014 <strong>Guidance for the creation of an ITU database on GHG emissions of the global ICT sector<\/strong><\/strong><br>Study group 5 consented <a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/hub\/2025\/06\/standards-to-reduce-emissions-and-drive-environmental-action\/#:~:text=ITU-T%20L.1472%20%28forthcoming%29%20provides%20the%20foundation%20to%20create,database%20on%20tech-related%20energy%20use%20and%20emissions%20worldwide.\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/hub\/2025\/06\/standards-to-reduce-emissions-and-drive-environmental-action\/#:~:text=ITU-T%20L.1472%20%28forthcoming%29%20provides%20the%20foundation%20to%20create,database%20on%20tech-related%20energy%20use%20and%20emissions%20worldwide.\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/hub\/2025\/06\/standards-to-reduce-emissions-and-drive-environmental-action\/#:~:text=ITU-T%20L.1472%20%28forthcoming%29%20provides%20the%20foundation%20to%20create,database%20on%20tech-related%20energy%20use%20and%20emissions%20worldwide.\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/hub\/2025\/06\/standards-to-reduce-emissions-and-drive-environmental-action\/#:~:text=ITU-T%20L.1472%20%28forthcoming%29%20provides%20the%20foundation%20to%20create,database%20on%20tech-related%20energy%20use%20and%20emissions%20worldwide.\"><strong>ITU-T L.1472<\/strong><em>.<\/em><\/a>\u201cGuidance for the creation of an ITU database on GHG emissions of the global ICT sector\u201d. <em> It<\/em>\u00a0provides the foundation to create a structured database on tech-related energy use and emissions worldwide. Crucial data would include energy consumption and emissions data from ICT organizations, national-level estimates based on reported data, and official government statistics. <\/a>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n                                        <li>\n        <div class=\"ituCard alt\">\n            <div class=\"main\">\n                <div class=\"content\">\n                    <strong>2024 \u2014 Launch of the <a href=\"https:\/\/greeningdigital.itu.int\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/greeningdigital.itu.int\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Greening Digital Dashboard<\/a><\/strong><br>At COP29 the Greening Digital Dashboard was launched to help track ICT emissions, energy use and climate commitments. This tool paves the way for a future ITU led ICT GHG database.                  <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n                                        <li>\n        <div class=\"ituCard alt\">\n            <div class=\"main\">\n                <div class=\"content\">\n                    <strong>2025 \u2014 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/pub\/D-IND-CLIM-2025\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/pub\/D-IND-CLIM-2025\">Measuring the Environmental Impact of the ICT Sector: Arcep Case Study &#8211; France<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><br>ITU, World Bank and the French regulator \u2013 ARCEP \u2013 developed a case study report serving as a model for ICT regulators by detailing ARCEP&#8217;s approach to data collection, legal adaptations, surveyed sectors, and report outcomes.                 <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n                                        <li>\n        <div class=\"ituCard alt\">\n            <div class=\"main\">\n                <div class=\"content\">\n                    <strong>2025 \u2014 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/en\/ITU-D\/Environment\/Pages\/Publications\/GDC-25.aspx\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/en\/ITU-D\/Environment\/Pages\/Publications\/GDC-25.aspx\">Greening Digital Companies 2025 Report<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><br>The 3rd edition of the Greening Digital Companies Report unveils that emissions are increasing but reporting transparency  and climate target adoption is improving.                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n                                        <li>\n        <div class=\"ituCard alt\">\n            <div class=\"main\">\n                <div class=\"content\">\n                    <strong>2025 \u2014 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/en\/ITU-D\/Environment\/Pages\/Climate-Change\/Country-ICT-Emissions-%26-Energy-Use-2.aspx#ref-n-N9JpcZ\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/en\/ITU-D\/Environment\/Pages\/Climate-Change\/Country-ICT-Emissions-%26-Energy-Use-2.aspx#ref-n-N9JpcZ\">Expert Group on Telecommunication\/ICT Indicators (EGTI) Subgroup on National Greenhouse Gas Emission Monitoring Indicators<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><br>A new Expert Group on Telecommunication\/ICT Indicators (EGTI) sub-group on National Greenhouse Gas Emission Monitoring Indicators was created, addressing GHG emissions and energy.                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n                                        <li>\n        <div class=\"ituCard alt\">\n            <div class=\"main\">\n                <div class=\"content\">\n                    <strong>2025 \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/itu-d\/sites\/digital-impact-unlocked\/advancing-green-digital-transformation-in-the-philippines-and-tanzania\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/itu-d\/sites\/digital-impact-unlocked\/advancing-green-digital-transformation-in-the-philippines-and-tanzania\/\">Advancing green digital transformation in the Philippines and Tanzania<\/a><br><\/strong>ITU partners with the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), Republic of Korea, to advance green digital transformation towards a net-zero digital sector in the Philippines and Tanzania. The two-year project aims to enhance ICT regulators and stakeholders\u2019 skills in data collection, regulation, and target setting.                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n                                        <li>\n        <div class=\"ituCard alt\">\n            <div class=\"main\">\n                <div class=\"content\">\n                    <strong>2025 &#8211; Piloting Recommendation ITU-T L.1472 <\/strong><br>A pilot project to test Recommendation ITU-T L.1472 was conducted.                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n                                        <li>\n        <div class=\"ituCard alt\">\n            <div class=\"main\">\n                <div class=\"content\">\n                    <strong>2026 &#8211; ITU <strong>Expert Group on Telecommunication\/ICT Indicators (EGTI) Subgroup on National Greenhouse Gas Emission Monitoring Indicators<\/strong><\/strong><br>The expert subgroup developed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/dms_pub\/itu-d\/md\/26\/egti.egh26\/c\/D26-EGTI.EGH26-C-0004%21%21PDF-E.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/dms_pub\/itu-d\/md\/26\/egti.egh26\/c\/D26-EGTI.EGH26-C-0004%21%21PDF-E.pdf\">a harmonized framework of  National Greenhouse Gas Emission Monitoring Indicators<\/a>.                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n\n<div class=\"ituContainer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":900,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"obsolete-templates\/page-submenu.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-828","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/green-digital-action\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/828","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/green-digital-action\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/green-digital-action\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/green-digital-action\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/green-digital-action\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=828"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/green-digital-action\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/828\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/green-digital-action\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/900"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/initiatives\/green-digital-action\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=828"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}