Energy efficiency

​​​​​​​The need for innovative energy solutions to reduce carbon emissions has never been more urgent. Here, digital technologies can offer different solutions to cut greenhouse gas emissions, helping us fast track progress in many areas. Through the developmen​t of standards on ICTs, environment and climate change and the recognition of the centr​​​al role of power feeding and data centres, ITU plays a ​leading role in improving of energy efficiency. ​

Developing standards 

Awareness and understanding of the roles that digital technologies can play in energy efficiency are vital and ITU Standardization Sector's Study Group 5 works across the ICT sector, sharing knowledge and helping it cut its CO2 emissions. Its work helps measure the carbon footprint of ICTs, evaluating their environmental performance, to facilitate measurement of the impact of ICTs on emissions and support meaningful reporting and comparisons. It also helps establish the business case to go green and support informed consumer choices and a climate-friendly business procurement. 

​Read more on the work of Study Group 5 here and see the list of ITU standards ​here​.​​​​

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Examining the role of emerging technologies

Emerging technologies, such as AI, automation, augmented reality, virtual reality, smart manufacturing, industry 5.0, cloud/edge computing and nanotechnology, among others all offer potentially innovative solutions for energy efficiency. To explore this, and address the environmental efficiency, as well as water and energy consumption of emerging technologies plus give guidance on operating them in a more environmentally efficient manner, the ITU-T Focus Group on "Environmental Efficiency for Artificial Intelligence and other Emerging Technologies" (FG-AI4EE) was established in 2019. It was set up by Study Group 5, as part of its work in evaluating the environmental performance of digital technologies. 

Read more on FG-AI4EE here. ​​ ​

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Projects & activities​​​

​ITU standards and Supplements are helping ICT companies, including operators of mobile networks, fixed networks, data centres, and ICT manufacturers, reduce their GHG emissions at the rate needed to meet their targets. There is a growing and urgent need for greater climate action across the sector in order to reach the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°c above pre-industrial levels. 

​ITU developed Recommendation ITU-T L.1470 “GHG emissions trajectories for the ICT sector compatible with the UNFCCC Paris Agreement” in collaboration with the GeSI, GSMA and SBTi. It is supported by its Supplements ITU-T L.Suppl.37 and  ITU-T L.Suppl.38 which provide guidance to operators of mobile networks, fixed networks, data centres and ICT manufacturers on how to set the science based targets in compliance with ITU-T L.1470. For more information please see press release.

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A healthier planet will be achieved only if we continue working together. Q9/5 Climate change and assessment of digital technologies in the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, and Q11/5 Climate change mitigation and smart energy solutions of ITU-T Study Group 5 works tirelessly to help the ICT sector to reach net-zero emissions. See ongoing work. ​​The Thematic Group on “Digital Transformation for People-Oriented Cities" of the United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) initiative is working on aspects related to Sustainable Digital Transformation and Net Zero. Working Group 4 aims to develop guidelines for unlocking Net Zero in cities through sustainable digital transformation and Working Group 5 aims to develop methodology for measuring GHG Emissions in Smart Sustainable Cities. Learn more about U4SSC here​. ​