BANGALORE, INDIA: In an important step toward cutting greenhouse gas emissions, the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI), an international partnership of information and communications technology (ICT) companies, recently unveiled a methodology for evaluating the carbon-reducing potential of new ICT initiatives.

According to GeSI’s SMART 2020 report, published in 2008, ICT solutions have the potential to cut global greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 15 per cent and save up to €600 billion ($750 billion) by 2020.

The newly announced follow-up methodology, provides specific guidance on how to identify and quantify the potential benefits of an ICT solution.  With its focus on simplifying assessment, and a practical online tutorial, the approach aims to promote greater alignment among ICT companies, government officials, planners, and policy makers, said a press release.

This tool, prepared by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) on behalf of GeSI, with assistance from WSP Environment and Energy, aims to provide businesses, policy makers and the ICT industry with a common yardstick for assessing carbon emissions savings arising from ICT-based solutions such as smart motors, smart logistics, smart buildings, and smart power grids.

Speaking on the eve of the global report launch, Luis Neves, GeSI Chair said, “ICT innovation encourages a low carbon economy, efficiency, and preservation of our environment. This tool will help us to assess emission reductions, and to refine ICT applications so that they can deliver even more net carbon savings.” 

“Having a robust yet simple assessment methodology will allow key constituents to better understand the positive impact of ICT solutions, ultimately driving higher adoption and faster achievement of the 15 per cent reduction potential.” added Philipp Jung, partner and Managing Director of BCG.

The methodology provided represents close collaboration with industry, the International Telecommunication Union and other experts, and the report includes case-studies showing the assessment tool in action. A key element is the online tutorial, which provides an immediately accessible resource for guidance on using the methodology to calculate the likely climate impact of a new ICT application, the release added.

The study, entitled Evaluating the Carbon-Reducing Impacts of ICT, is available for download at www.GeSI.org.