Brussels, 12/12/2008 (Agence Europe) - Technologies already exist to enable a low-carbon economy in Europe but industry needs a coherent action framework, and innovative and ambitious policies from governments to bring this about. This was the message of several captains of the information and communication technology (ICT) industry, members of GeSI (Global eSustainability Initiatives, whose members include British Telecom, Cisco, Dell, Deutsch Telekom, Hewlett Packard and Intel) to EU Information Society and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding at a meeting in Brussels on Thursday 11 December 2008. GeSI presented a recent report “Smart 2020: Enabling the low carbon economy in the information age” listing recommendations for using new technologies to combat climate change. Reding said the report's recommendations were a very helpful contribution that showed “how industry takes its responsibility,” adding that “beautiful speeches” were not enough to encourage action if they were not accompanied by detailed statistics.
Noting the crucial need for the EU to acquire broadband technology even in the remotest regions in order to allow a wide-scale run-out of new technology, Reding urged the industry to make use of the new technologies, which paradoxically were being provided by the financial and economic crisis. “It's a new opportunity for Europe to become the leader. Solutions exist. It is not about research but about innovation and implementation at industry level,” she explained, noting the need for agreement among all stakeholders. The carbon cutting targets had largely been agreed upon, but consensus was now required on the strategies to be implemented to achieve the targets. The commissioner said that industry and national governments shared responsibility for this - industry by reaching agreement and coming up with initiatives, and governments by introducing suitable policies. The Commission will also be contributing, she said, announcing the publication in February 2009 of a second report for governments, industry and citizens, including recommendations on practical action. A high-level meeting would then be organised in March 2009 under the Czech Presidency to shed further light on opportunities provided by ICT to move towards a more environmentally-friendly economy. “We need a clear policy framework, guidelines and innovative government policies,” said Luis Neves, chair of GeSI, adding: “By taking a leadership role, the ICT sector is driving a clean green industrial revolution urgently needed to radically reduce CO2 emissions.” The GeSI report explains that new technology can provide smart, more efficient cars, rationalising logistics, building greener buildings and better electricity grids. The report argues that ICT could cut carbon emissions by 7.8 billion tonnes by 2020 (15% of total emissions). ICT could save around €500 billion worth of energy. The report can be found at: http: //http://www.gesi.org (I.L./transl.fl)