As the production and utilization of digital technologies continue to rise, so does energy consumption, particularly in regions with limited energy resources. Despite this, precise estimates of GHG emissions from the ICT sector remain elusive compared to other industries. While estimates suggest ICT sector emissions range from 1.5 to 4 percent of global emissions, similar to the airline industry, limited measurement approaches have hindered policy-making and mitigation efforts.
Unlike high-emitting sectors such as transport, energy, and forestry, the ICT sector faces challenges in establishing robust measurement approaches due to historical priorities, data complexities, and relatively lower emissions. This lack of regulated tracking and reporting hampers the regulatory environment, target setting, and progress reporting.
ITU is spearheading a programme of work on 'Advancing Green Digital Transformation Towards a Net-Zero Digital Sector' to gather and disseminate reliable data on GHG emissions and energy use within the ICT sector, at the national level.
Undrer this,
ITU and the World Bank collaborated to collect data globally to enable countries to monitor and track their ICT sector GHG emissions and energy use which is presented in the joint Measuring the Emissions and Energy Footprint of the ICT Sector: Implications for Climate Action, 2024 report
. The report collates GHG emissions and energy use data from the ICT sector in the thirty highest emitting countries. The report 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.
The ITU and the World Bank also collaborated to produce the Measuring National ICT Sector Environmental Impact: Arcep Case Study - France, 2025. This comprehensive best practice case study spotlights the pioneering practices of France's regulatory authority, Arcep, as it sets a global precedent in tracking and managing the environmental footprint of its national ICT sector. Through collaboration with government bodies and industry stakeholders, Arcep has established a scalable and adaptable model that other regulators worldwide can leverage. This study delves into Arcep's regulatory journey, detailing how it implemented legislative changes to expand its data collection authority and engaged industry stakeholders to foster transparency and shared responsibility.
ITU has signed a
new project on Advancing Green Digital Transformation Towards a Net-Zero Digital Sector in the Philippines and Tanzania funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea, Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT). The two year project runs from January 2025 - December 2026. The project aims to harmonize GHG emissions and energy data collection in the digital sector, supporting ICT regulators in Tanzania and the Philippines through capacity-building and the development of strategies for decarbonization and net-zero digital transitions.
ITU is also supporting countries through the Expert Group on Telecommunication/ICT Indicators (EGTI) Sub-group on National Greenhouse Gas Emission Monitoring Indicators. The group will work to develop a short report outlining the scope and definition of environmental indicators for the ICT sector, specifically for monitoring national GHG emissions and energy use. This will include working to agree on a harmonised set of national indicators to measure the ICT sector's environmental impact, covering Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions, total energy consumption, and renewable energy usage. The group will also consider data collection feasibility, including national-level reporting, frequency, quality, and comparability. The working gorup launched on 4 April 2025. For more details and to participate, please contact: eetmail@itu.int.
