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CIOL, Greenpeace explore ways to green planet

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CIOL Bureau
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BANGALORE, INDIA: The ICT sector has a significant role to play in combating the issue of climate change by setting a vision for a low-carbon economy and demonstrating the business potential of clean technological innovations.

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Giving an added heft to this notion, Greenpeace, world's leading non-governmental environmental organization and CyberMedia India Online Ltd (CIOL) are jointly organising a round-table discussion under the title 'De-carbonised Economy: Opportunities and Responsibilities of the ICT Sector in a Changing Climate' on November 18, 2010 in New Delhi.

This business round-table is aimed at setting a vision and finding the right strategies and solutions to enable and enhance the ICT sector’s role in creating a climate favourable policy framework.

Designed as an interactive platform, the round-table is expected to bring together leading voices from ICT, renewable energy and electricity corporations, the relevant industry associations, government, civil society groups, development organizations and media to find a common ground that favours ambitious carbon mitigation and capitalizes on the potential business opportunities.

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In this event, Kumi Naidoo, executive director, Greenpeace International, would be the chief guest and keynote speaker. Besides, many eminent speakers and representatives from the Government of India and the ICT industry would be part of the conference, Ajai Chowdhry of HCL being one among them.

Speaking about the ti-up with Greenpeace, Pradeep Gupta, chairman and managing director of CyberMedia group, said, “CyberMedia began talking about Green IT as early as 2006, when it was not fashionable to do so. We strongly believe that it is the duty of each and every one of us to keep this planet green. ICT is a major consumer of energy and its efforts at reducing the carbon footprint can have a major impact on our planet. This initiative with Greenpeace is part of our continued efforts to take this message to the leaders in the Indian ICT sector.”

“The ICT sector is key to India’s economic growth and well being. As we gear up to face the threat of climate change, this sector is uniquely positioned to lead the shift to a prosperous clean energy economy,” said Samit Aich, executive director, Greenpeace India.

“The IT sector can reduce economy-wide global emissions by up to 15 per cent by 2020. The Greenpeace business round-table organised with CIOL is a step in this direction as it sets the agenda for the ICT sector to actively demonstrate its strength as a ‘solutions provider’ to help build a new de-carbonised economy for India. This is critical to help India leap-frog on energy efficiency standards and emerge as a global leader in clean tech innovation,” he added.

If you go by a recent study by McKinsey and The Climate Group, the vision of these industry leaders proves to be right. Their Smart 2020 report indicates that the ICT sector could reduce global GHG emissions by over 15 per cent in the next ten years through smart business solutions.

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