ICT and energy efficiency: building awareness
ICTforEE is a European network led by ACIDD. This project brings both public and private actors together to engage in collective reflection and to promote good practices using ICT to promote energy efficiency; 12 European countries are represented by this network. The use of ICT to promote energy efficiency no longer needs to be demonstrated, with a growing number of initiatives and positioning adopted.
“ The ICT sector, whose fundamental characteristic is that of low carbon growth, could perhaps be a factor that will bring ICT towards a society and economy with a low carbon footprint” said Luis Neves, President of the GeSI (“Global e-Sustainability Initiative) at the occasion of the publication of GeSI’s report, smart2020, a study on the issue of “Enabling a low carbon economy in the information age” that came out last June. This study was commissioned by suppliers and service operators that specialise in information and communication technology (ICT). It reminds us that the ICT sector is responsible for a maximum of 2% of GES (Greenhouse gases) emissions (though this figure is set to double in the twelve following years going from 2% to 4%) but it also proposes brilliant developments for the implementation of developments that will put sustainable development into action, notably in three particular sectors: building, transport and the improvement of people’s behaviour in relation to their energy consumption. ICT envisages a 15% reduction (the equivalent of 7,8 Giga tonnes) in green house gases by 2020 as improved practices are introduced. On the contrary, the ICT industry has the capacity to significantly reduce its carbon footprint.
This development, that is necessary if ICT is to fight climate change, is today favoured by the European commission in the framework of the Communication “Addressing the Challenge of Energy Efficiency through Information and Communication Technologies", adopted on the 13 May 2008. In the framework of the European programme “ICT for Energy Efficiency”, the General Director (GD) of the Information and Media Society launched a work group that stated in its report that ICT is simultaneously part of economic development at the same time as being an instrument for energy efficiency. Intelligent buildings, clean vehicles, intermodal public transport, sensitive behaviour and best practice, the principle of substitution, dematerialisation owe much to new technology.
Through its TIC21 programme, ACIDD is participating in this thinking by piloting the European network ICTforEE that brings thirty or so actors together that work in public services and in the private sector. The object of this project, supported by the European commission is “to regroup a multitude of partners in the public and private sector that come from twelve different European countries in order to define strategies and promote good practice and have exchanges about legislation at a European level, in order to reach the largest audience possible.” The network is organised into three different work groups:
- ICT used to improve the energy efficiency of buildings
- ICT used to improve the energy efficiency of public transport
- Questioning ICT’s role in changing people’s behaviour in relation to energy consumption
The project was officially launched on the 26 November 2008 during the important European event: ICT2008. The next event will take place on 9 February 2009.
- Interview with Jean-Louis Joseph, Committee of the Regions
- Interview with Dominique Bourges, FEDARENE
- Interview with Alberto Moro, ENEA, the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Environment
See all members of the European Network ICT for Energy Efficiency.
Watch more videos and interviews on energy efficiency:
Fabrice Haïat, CEO of Vizelia, which creates software for measuring the eco-performance of buildings
Charles Secrett: special advisor on environment and sustainability to the former Mayor of London:
Linda Mauperon: member of Viviane Reding’s cabinet, European Commissioner for information society and media
European Forum – Sharing initiatives for a green and connected city in Brussels, 27 May 2008
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