Two developments, both still ongoing, are accelerating the capability of ICT to virtualise and de-carbonise the economy:
– for corporate users, IP in the enterprise, and
– for domestic users, broadband becomes a mass market service, capable of disrupting other parts of the economy
Examples include:
Using ICT as a mode of transport, providing services such as tele-and video-conferencing, teleworking and telecommuting
Using ICT applications to improve the logistics of freight shipments, ensure proper maintenance of tyre pressures and improve operations in air traffic control management – ie, reducing waste of fuel in moving people and freight
ICT and advanced technologies to improve buildings management: Potential CO2 emissions reduction of up to 20% of total building sector emissions through
adopting ICT-enabled Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS): could lead to EU savings of 260 m tonnes of CO2 annually
ICT-enabled optimization systems, with the help of other advanced
technologies, might benefit the electric utility transmission grid (the so-called
“Smart Grid”) + a wide variety of industrial processes throughout the EU.
Internet services such as e-commerce, e-government and distance learning
New ways, as yet undreamed of, to help other sectors minimise climate change emissions