Low-Carbon ICT Leadership Benchmark 2 26 October 2011

Low-Carbon ICT Leadership Benchmark

An assessment and way forward for the integration of low-carbon ICT in broadband strategies

Summary In May 2011 the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) released the first Low- Carbon ICT Leadership Benchmark where countries national communications to the UNFCCC were analyzed from an ICT solution perspective. The objective was to assess how well countries had integrated low-carbon ICT solutions in their climate strategies.1 Now GeSI presents the second benchmark which looks at how well countries have integrated low-carbon ICT solutions in broadband plans and digital strategies.2 Besides focusing on these areas the new benchmark also includes an assessment of the cross-integration of low-carbon ICT in broadband plans and national communications to the UNFCCC. This is to assess the degree to which low-carbon ICT solutions have gained support across different policy areas. Countries/governments that do well both in the UNFCCC national communications and broadband plans include Japan, Denmark and the European Union. USA, New Zealand and UK are doing well when it comes to integrating low-carbon ICT in broadband plans, but less so when it comes to integration of low-carbon ICT in their national communications to the UNFCCC. The assessment shows that there is significant room for sharing best practice and that approaches are very different, reflecting a culture of entrepreneurship and exploration. The following measures are a good start for countries to measure themselves against:
1. Recognizing the role of low-carbon ICT solutions in key policy areas; 2. Appointing a person responsible for managing policy on low-carbon ICT; 3. Conducting national studies that measure current emission savings from low-carbon ICT; 4. Setting emission reduction, investment and job creation targets for low-carbon ICT solutions in individual areas to begin with and then aggregated targets for clusters of solutions; 5. Ensuring that key areas for low-carbon ICT solutions are integrated in all significant policy documents, not just broadband strategies but also building standards (e.g. support for +passive buildings), teleworking (e.g. in transport policy), smart grids (e.g. in energy policy supporting decentralized renewable energy), e-health and e- education. 6. Promoting innovation and focus on transformative solutions (new ways of providing services instead of only incremental improvements in existing systems) in economic and ICT policies. Benchmark for integration of low-carbon ICT In broadband plans In UNFCCC communications 1. Japan 78.0 1. Japan 85.0 2. USA 75.0 2. Denmark 65.0 3. Germany 70.0 3. Germany 65.0 4 New Zealand 67.0 4. Ireland 59.0 5. UK 63.0 5. European Union 55.0 6. European Union 62.0 6. Netherlands 55.0 7. Denmark 57.0 7. Australia 53.0 8. Canada 45.0 8. Finland 53.0 9. Iceland 41.0 9. Romania 53.0 10. Portugal 40.0 10. India 44.0 Combined 1. Japan 81.5 2. Germany 67.5 3. Denmark 61.0 4 European Union 58.5 5. USA 56.5 6. UK 50.5 7. New Zealand 43.0 8. Ireland 39.0 9. Portugal 39.0 10. Sweden 37.0

Background

The Low-Carbon ICT Leadership Benchmark is a project of the Global e- Sustainability Initiative (GeSI), which examines governments adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions to fight climate change.3 The benchmark tracks governments performance in integrating transformative ICT solutions in climate change strategies and other policy areas. The overall objective is to identify best practices and leadership that can inspire a race to the top among governments. There is a need for policies that make low-carbon development a driver for innovation, job creation and increased revenue flows for those delivering transformative ICT solutions. The leadership and best practices featured in the benchmark can hopefully encourage governments to develop better national and international frameworks for climate change adaptation and mitigation by fully taking into account the transformative potential of ICT. With todays ICT solutions many of the largest sources of carbon emissions can become part of the solution: buildings can be net producers of renewable energy, electric/hydrogen cars can be an integrated part of a zero emission economy, and virtual meetings, digital health and education, dematerialization of physical products and teleworking can all become part of 21st century business models. The Low-Carbon ICT Leadership Benchmark aims to contribute to two shifts in the climate change debate: Increased focus on, and inclusion of, companies with important ICT solutions in the dialogue rather than just the major polluters. Greater focus on transformative ICT solutions that can deliver services in ways that are so resource efficient that nine billion people can use them without destroying the planet, and less emphasis on incremental improvements in existing systems (as these often result in high-carbon lock in). The benchmark is accessible at www.gesi.org/global-ict-leadership.

Benchmark and best practice in broadband plans: 10 key areas

A comparison of global broadband strategies leads one to conclude that: 1. Countries approach support for connectivity and broadband deployment in very different ways, leading to a significant variation in the purpose and structure of broadband plans. 2. The area of low-carbon ICT solutions is relatively new as a mainstream policy issue and as a result newer broadband strategies are much more likely to include low-carbon ICT solutions. 3. Support for low-carbon ICT solutions can happen though other policy instruments so low scores for the integration of low-carbon solutions in broadband plans does not necessarily mean that a country is not performing well in the area. Similarly a high score in a broadband plan does not automatically mean that a country is doing a very good job with low-carbon ICT solutions. The broadband plan might be irrelevant for the countrys priorities and actual implementation. GeSIs Low-Carbon ICT Leadership Benchmark is dynamic and should be read in conjunction with the use of the web-portal available at www.gesi.org/global-ict- leadership. The web-portal allows users to identify leadership in different policy areas depending on their interest. The best practices below are based on general aspects where individual countries have shown leadership. 1. Acknowledge that natural resource efficiency and green are important Many broadband plans still do not include a reference to the need to support more resource efficient development or green growth. These plans often only focus on physical connectivity and quantitative aspects of ICT (number of connections, speed of connections, spectrum allocation etc.) or only mention the role of ICT in reducing carbon emissions in passing. All of the countries on the top-ten list mention green/environment in some ways, as do many countries further down the list. Of those mentioning green/environment, some like Germany (42 times) do this because they have a Green-IT plan under discussion. Others like Japan (94 times) mention green/environment because they include a very good overview of the different definitions of green ICT and the different areas where ICT can provide green solutions. A separate chapter that discusses the need for increased resource efficiency, low- carbon development and reduced environmental impact could be considered for inclusion by governments when developing broadband plans. How ICT solutions relate to these areas could also be described to ensure policy coherence. 2. Recognize ICT as a solution provider and provide examples of low-carbon ICT solutions (98%) It is important that countries acknowledge ICT as a significant solution provider in the climate change dialogue. A number of studies and projects have demonstrated that ICT solutions can help countries achieve significant carbon reductions while delivering the same or better service, and also aid in boosting innovation and job creation. For example, GeSIs landmark report SMART 2020 showed that ICT 3

solutions can enable global carbon reductions of up 15% by the year 2020. While the ICT sectors own footprint is estimated at around 2% of global emissions, ICT solutions have a key role to play in enabling other sectors to reduce the remaining 98% of emissions. Unless ICT is explicitly recognized as a solution provider, countries will struggle to ensure that low-carbon development is part of their overall strategy and that there are significant synergies between broadband plans and other related government strategies. Still, not even all of the countries on the top-ten list acknowledge ICT as a solution provider or give examples of solutions in their broadband strategies. For instance, the Swedish government does not provide any examples of low-carbon ICT solutions in its broadband plan although the plan covers areas where ICT is important such as buildings, transport, health and education. At the beginning of October 2011 Sweden released a new digital agenda where ICT as a solution provider is for the first time explicitly acknowledged, which is certainly a step in the right direction.4 Countries like USA, Japan, Denmark and Germany all give examples in all, or almost all, important areas such as transport/mobility, buildings, energy supply/smart grid and consumptions/lifestyles. References to studies that quantify the role of ICT solutions in reducing carbon emissions could be included in any broadband plan and if no national studies exist the need for such research could be highlighted. 3. Address ICT as a source of emissions (2%) With rising consumer demand ICT solutions are becoming a greater source of carbon emissions, which makes it important to develop strategies to address this development. This seems obvious since all of the top-ten countries that acknowledge ICT as a solution provider also acknowledge the challenges of tackling the ICT sectors own carbon footprint. Unfortunately, the reverse is not true as one tends to see disproportionate focus on ICT as a source of emissions to the detriment of recognizing its role as a solution provider. Amongst the top-ten governments, Japan, Germany, USA, New Zealand, UK, EU and Denmark acknowledge that the direct emissions of ICT must be addressed. An overview of current measures to address the emissions of the ICT sector as well as incentives to tap into the enabling role of ICT to reduce emissions across sectors could be included in any broadband plan. 4. Estimate existing and potential carbon savings of low-carbon ICT solutions Countries developing broadband plans should ensure that there are independent studies to establish both existing and potential carbon savings enabled by low- carbon ICT solutions. If nothing else academic studies in key areas and business studies can also be used. Japan, Germany, USA, New Zealand, EU and Denmark are amongst the top-ten governments which include estimations of savings from low-carbon ICT solutions in 4

key policy documents. Japan has the most elaborate estimations and notes that ICT [can] potentially reduce emissions by up to 150 million tons by 2020.5 Germany writes that particularly in mobility, buildings, power grids and logistics, experts assess that savings could be made amounting to 194 million tonnes of CO2 a year in Germany through the use of ICT applications.6 When developing broadband plans governments could consider listing emission reductions facilitated by low-carbon ICT solutions in individual and multiple areas. Estimations for potential reductions could also be included. 5. Set targets for low-carbon ICT solutions An important area (if you cant measure it you cant manage it) is to come up with ways to set targets for emission reductions enabled by low-carbon ICT solutions, both individual and aggregate. This is an area where much work remains to be done and where industry efforts should be encouraged. It seems like many countries are waiting for a globally accepted standard. However, there are existing frameworks in place that are robust enough to serve as a starting point. For example, GeSIs ICT Enablement Methodology allows for estimations of savings from low-carbon ICT solutions.7 New initiatives are also under way. A consortium of stakeholders is currently developing guidance that will make it possible to apply the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Product Standard to ICT products and services.8 Of the top-ten countries identified by GeSI, only Japan is close to having an overall target included in their strategy. The Japanese government observes that the net reduction in CO2 emissions through Green ICT [is] thus approximately 125 million tons [] indicating that Green ICT has a major contribution to make in achieving the target of 25% cut in greenhouse gas emissions.9 Still most of the targets are in the area of the 2%, in other words, the ICT sectors own carbon footprint. Germany has set the objective of reducing ICT energy consumption by 40 per cent at federal level by 2013 and has also called for voluntary targets for reducing ICT energy consumption by industry.10 The UK includes a target for ICTs own footprint with the goal of making all governmental ICT carbon neutral by 2012.11 Today it looks like these targets will be reached by offsetting, but they could also, be reached, if rules allowed, by calculating the enabling effects. Although targets are difficult to set, the need to establish a benchmark so that progress can be tracked is important. Such a target could also help support the accelerated development of a methodology for calculating the enabling effect of low- carbon ICT solutions. 6. Include low-carbon ICT in key areas A number of studies have tried to identify the most important areas where the deployment of low-carbon ICT solutions should be supported.12 While these areas differ slightly depending on the approach and methodology used there is broad consensus among countries that low-carbon ICT solutions can play a significant role the following areas: AREA NUMBER OF TOP-10 COUNTRIES Buildings 7 (all but Iceland, Denmark and Canada) 5

 The US government includes a separate chapter in their broadband strategy entitled Energy and the Environment, which covers all major areas where ICT can help reduce emissions. Japan follows a more integrated approach where the potential for ICT to help reduce emissions is mentioned throughout their broadband plan. In addition, the overall approach to low-carbon ICT is explained in a specific chapter called Environmental Burden Reduction and Local Revitalization via Green ICT. An overview of the most important areas for deploying low-carbon ICT solutions could be presented together with planned measures for each area. Synergies between different areas are important and could be a priority. 7. Include innovation and dematerialization perspectives Innovation is a popular concept these days and it is widely reflected in broadband plans as demonstrated by the number of times a reference to it was made. It is, however, not always clear what is meant by innovation as definitions vary from concrete support for research to the more abstract notion that innovation is something positive.13 In order to qualify innovation dematerialization was taken into consideration when analyzing the plans.14 The results were striking as only three countries included discussions about dematerialization. All of the countries mentioned innovation with USA taking the lead with over 100 references. When it comes to dematerialization only Japan, Iceland and UK included a reference to it in their discussions. To ensure that low-carbon ICT is not approached only as a traditional environmental area (where the focus is to approach the source of emissions) links to innovation policy and encouragement of new business models that support dematerialization could be included. This could help promote solution providers and establish links between sustainable job creation and low-carbon ICT solutions. 8. Understand the role of transformative solutions A check was done to see whether the focus of broadband plans is on incremental improvements in existing systems (e.g. improve industrial processes and traffic control systems) or transformative solutions that provide solutions in new ways (e.g. net positive buildings, flexible working, e-books, new lifestyles). It is evident that most countries still think of ICT as a way to provide incremental improvements in existing systems. It is worth noting that many countries off the top-ten list do not even acknowledge ICT as a solution provider so the role of ICT as a provider of transformative solutions can be taken as an indicator of global leadership. Japan, Germany, USA, UK and New Zealand make multiple references to transformative solutions (or radical change) but a close reading shows that transformative runs the risk of becoming a buzz-word without concrete content. It is important that concrete examples of transformative solutions are included. 6

Smart grids Transport/mobility Health/Education Sustainable lifestyles

7 (all but Portugal, Iceland and Denmark) 9 (all) 9 (all but Portugal) 3 (Japan, US and Denmark)

Germany has a good description that includes both technical and business aspects. The German government notes that the technology underlying the Internet isundergoing radical change, as are the business models of service providers, network operators and equipment manufacturers. All broadband plans could acknowledge the need for transformative solutions and include the goals that policy makers and scientists have established for necessary carbon reductions to avoid dangerous climate change (most studies indicate about 40% to 2020 in OECD and zero by 2050). How key services like buildings for living, light, heat, mobility, health and education can be delivered in such a scenario could be considered as the role of ICT solutions then becomes obvious. Regardless of existing support such scenarios could help the country to be prepared for rapid changes and new consumer preferences. 9. Include low-carbon ICT solutions in both climate and broadband strategies With a combined assessment of low-carbon ICT solutions in broadband plans and climate strategies it is possible to determine the degree to which different countries have managed to mainstream transformative low-carbon ICT solutions. It is clear that mainstreaming and moving from an ad-hoc approach to a coherent strategy are the most complex and important challenges for governments. The degree to which governments have succeeded in this respect was measured by analyzing similar areas in both in the ICT strategies/broadband plans and the climate strategies/UNFCCC communications. Today only two countries/governments, Japan and Denmark, and the European Commission, have top rankings in both benchmarks. These three actors are very different but they have included low-carbon solutions as part of their policy package and share a strong focus on innovation and support for SMEs. Japan, in particular, has collaborated with industry to a significant degree in setting emission reduction targets. Denmark is among the few western countries that has an explicit export strategy for low-carbon ICT solutions. Many stakeholders acknowledge the importance of low-carbon ICT, but still emphasize the traditional Green ICT perspective where the focus is on reducing the ICT sectors own footprint. As this understanding builds on sophisticated assessments of the enablement potential, one can hope that a strong focus on transformative low-carbon solutions will emerge during 2011-2012 in parallel the efforts of the ICT sector to define and quantify its emissions. When developing policy, governments should address both the direct emissions of ICT solutions as well their role in enabling other sectors to reduce the remaining 98% of emissions. This applies not only to developing policy, but also in the context of building broad stakeholder coalitions beyond the ICT sector as transformative low-carbon solutions require much more than only ICT companies and traditional ICT experts/organizations. A group with representatives from different ministries could be created to ensure synergies and support for transformative solutions that require actions from multiple ministries. 7

 10. Transparency and responsible person or team for low-carbon ICT One interesting observation is that it was much easier to establish contact and obtain information from countries that ranked high in integrating low-carbon ICT solutions in the UNFCCC communications. Many of the countries that ranked high in the broadband assessment seem to have difficulty in identifying a responsible person. Countries with clear responsibility seem to be able to integrate low-carbon ICT solutions as part of a broader economic strategy that also includes export of low- carbon ICT solutions. Denmark has the clearest strategy. Both Japan and Germany include export/trade of low-carbon ICT solutions in their strategies. A responsible person or a team could be appointed and their contact details could be clearly communicated on the government webpage to ensure that stakeholders can easily contact the right person.

Recommendations for broadband strategy development

A matrix was developed based on input from governments and experts in order to provide relevant recommendations and a framework to approach the 10 best practice areas. This matrix takes into account whether: 1. a strategy for low-carbon ICT solutions is included in the broadband strategy, 2. the broadband strategy includes some reference to the potential of low- carbon ICT solutions, 3. there are no references to low-carbon ICT solutions in the broadband strategy. Figure 1: Matrix for integration of low-carbon ICT in broadband strategies
A low-carbon ICT strategy included in, or supported by, the broadband strategy Some references to potential of low-carbon ICT solutions, but no clear strategy No mention of low-carbon ICT solutions in broadband strategy Responsibility for low- carbon ICT solutions No responsibility for low- carbon ICT solutions

6 4 2 1 3 5

A: No responsibility for low-carbon ICT solutions (1, 3 and 5) Regardless of whether there is a strategy to promote low-carbon ICT solutions, only some references to their potential, or no mention of them at all, the ministry/department responsible for developing the broadband plan must clarify who is in charge. STEP 1: Any interested person, or group, working with broadband policy can start by looking at the best practice, as presented in this paper, and compare with similar countries using GeSIs Low-Carbon ICT Leadership web-platform. Based on the results an internal discussion can be initiated regarding the countrys position in relation to best practice. STEP 2: Arrange a meeting with those responsible for promoting low-carbon solutions in the government, which usually requires contacts with the ministry of commerce/industry in addition to the ministry of environment. The latter is often tasked with regulating companies to ensure that companies own emissions are reduced. In meetings with these other ministries the responsibility of the ministry/department in charge of the broadband plans can be discussed. 9

STEP 3: The list of 10 best practice areas can be used in the discussions with other ministries/departments to see which of these areas could be integrated in a supporting document to the existing broadband plans based on current work in other ministries/departments. STEP 4: Experts and companies, both users and providers of low-carbon ICT solutions, can be invited for a discussion about what measures are needed to accelerate the uptake of low-carbon ICT solutions and what responsibility is needed to ensure such a development. STEP 5: Establish a responsible person for low-carbon ICT solution within the ministry/department that is in charge of the broadband strategy. STEP 6: Start working with low-carbon ICT in a strategic way. B: No mention of low-carbon ICT solutions at all (2) A situation where low-carbon ICT solutions are not included in the broadband strategy is not necessarily a bad thing. The country might have an old broadband plan that only focuses on connectivity and the use of solutions are promoted elsewhere. However, newer broadband strategies usually include a chapter on low- carbon ICT solutions. STEP 1: Ensure that the responsible person has an overview of the relevant strategies that promote low-carbon ICT in relation to the broadband development in relevant ministries/departments. The person should also be part in the discussion about targets for low-carbon ICT solutions and where transformative solutions might be relevant to include. STEP 2: Review the list of 10 best practice areas to explore how they can be integrated in the broadband strategy or other relevant strategies. To get an overview of how other countries have approached the integration in broadband plans GeSIs Low-Carbon ICT Leadership web-platform can be used to compare the countrys integration of low-carbon ICT solutions in UNFCCC with other areas. Then two or three countries on a similar level that have integrated low-carbon ICT solutions in their broadband plans can be selected and representatives from these countries can be invited to discuss their experiences. STEP 3: In order to better understand the potential for low-carbon ICT solutions a study should be conducted where the potential for low-carbon ICT solutions in key areas is explored and the links to the broadband plan are clarified. C: Some references to the potential of low-carbon ICT solutions, but no strategy (4) Many countries mention low-carbon ICT solutions in their broadband strategies, but more on an anecdotal level than actually as part of a strategy with targets and strategies to help accelerate the uptake of low-carbon ICT solutions. It is important that different initiatives are brought together to ensure synergies and that targets and strategies to reach those targets are formulated. This work might be better led outside the ministry/department that is responsible for the broadband strategy, but 10

the input and understanding of the role of broadband investment should be integrated into the overall low-carbon (ICT) strategy. STEP 1: In order to know how the countrys current low-carbon ICT support in the broadband strategy relates to best practice the list of 10 best practice areas can be used. To get a more detailed overview of how other counties have approached specific areas GeSIs Low-Carbon ICT Leadership web-platform can be used. STEP 2: In order to ensure that a strategy can be implemented a (rough) assessment of the current ICT-enabled savings and future potentials are important. Governments should conduct, or support, national studies that identify current as well as future emission savings facilitated by low-carbon ICT solutions. STEP 3: Low-carbon ICT solutions are challenging as responsibility for them spans over different ministries including telecommunications, transport, construction, education and health. In order to ensure synergies and increased understanding it is important that all relevant ministries are aware of low-carbon ICT solutions. Internal capacity building can therefore be important where external experts are invited and material is developed that discusses strategic low-carbon ICT solutions. STEP 4: In most countries there are a number of stakeholders working with low- carbon ICT solutions and the government should map ongoing activities in order to understand how the uptake of solutions can be accelerated and information about governmental support can be disseminated. STEP 5: Assign a person, or a team, to follow key processes on the international level where low-carbon ICT solutions are discussed in order to ensure that new trends can be identified. D: A low-carbon ICT strategy included in the broadband strategy (6) For those with an existing low-carbon strategy included in the broadband strategy it is important to continue to lead and select key areas to work with. STEP 1: As a first step GeSIs Low-Carbon ICT Leadership web-platform can be used to identify areas where other counties might be ahead, or have done things that can inspire. STEP 2: Identify global processes where low-carbon ICT solutions could provide important contributions, such as UNFCCC and Rio+20, and ensure that the countrys contributions in these processes include low-carbon ICT solutions. STEP 4: Support international initiatives to measure the positive impact of ICT solutions in reducing carbon emissions. STEP 5: Support clusters of companies that help accelerate the uptake of transformative low-carbon ICT solutions across a range of sectors.

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Appendix 1

Framework and sources for assessment of integration of low-carbon ICT in broadband plans
Factors If ICT or IT are included in the text ICT/IT as a source of emissions Examples of ICT/IT solutions that help reduce emissions Amount of current savings from ICT/IT solutions stated Individual targets for ICT/IT solutions CO2 savings Aggregated target for ICT/IT Smart buildings Smart grids Smart transport Sustainable lifestyles Smart health/education Innovation Efficiency Transformative Dematerialization TOTAL Weighting 10 2 20 10 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 8 5 5 5 100% Thresholds 8 50 Measure Yes/no Yes/no Yes/no Yes/no Yes/no Yes/no Yes/no Yes/no Yes/no Yes/no Yes/no Number Number Qualitative Qualitative

Sources Countries OECD/Annex 1 Australia Bulgaria Name of Document Web

Australia's national http://www.archive.dcita.gov.au/2007/12/austr broadband strategy alias_national_broadband_strategy National Programme for the development of broadband Internet access http://www.broadband- europe.eu/Pages/Download.aspx?title=National %20Programme%20for%20the%20development %20of%20broadband%20Internet%20access:% 20National%20Broabdband%20Programme%20 of%20the%20Republic%20of%20Bulgaria_EN.pd f&url=%2fLists%2fStrategiesData%2fAttachment s%2f28%2fNational+Broabdband+Programme+o f+the+Republic+of+Bulgaria_EN.pdf http://de-en.gc.ca/consultation-paper/ http://download.mpo.cz/get/43288/48837/575 000/priloha001.pdf http://en.itst.dk/policy-strategy/it-and- telecommunications-policy- reports/filarkiv/IT_and_Telecommunications_Pol icy_Report_2010_final.pdf

Canada Czech Republic Denmark

Improving Canadas Digital Advantage Digital Czech Republic IT and Telecommunicatio ns Policy Report 2010

12

Estonia

VRU COUNTY BROADBAND STRATEGY

http://www.broadband- europe.eu/Pages/Download.aspx?title=V%C3%B 5ru%20County%20Broadband%20Strategy:%20 Strategy_Paper_Voru_Estonia_03_EN.pdf&url=%2 fLists%2fStrategiesData%2fAttachments%2f31% 2fStrategy_Paper_Voru_Estonia_03_EN.pdf http://eur- lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CO M:2010:0245:FIN:EN:PDF

European Union Finland France

A Digital Agenda for Europe

National www.mintc.fi/fileserver/national%20broadband broadband strategy %20strategy.pdf Digital France 2012 Development Plan for the Digital Economy ICT Strategy of the German Federal Government: Digital Germany 2015 Digital Greece and the Greek digital strategy http://www.francenumerique2012.fr/

Germany

http://www.bmwi.de/English/Navigation/Servic e/publications,did=384382.html

Greece

Hungary Iceland Ireland

NATIONAL BROADBAND STRATEGY Iceland the e- Nation Next Generation Broadband: Gateway to a Knowledge Ireland 2010 WHITE PAPER Information and Communications in Japan Guidelines for the development of Information Society (2006-2013) Lithuanias National Strategy for broadband internet and its implementation

http://www.broadband- europe.eu/Pages/Download.aspx?title=Broadban d%20Action%20Plan:%20FactSheetOnDigitalGre ece_EN.pdf&url=%2fLists%2fStrategiesData%2fA ttachments%2f30%2fFactSheetOnDigitalGreece_ EN.pdf http://www.vus.sk/broadband/nbbs/hu_nbbs.pd f http://eng.forsaetisraduneyti.is/media/utgefidef ni/Iceland_the_eNation.pdf http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/NR/rdonlyres/F9B1D9 56-358D-4870-AA99- DD25A4417F59/0/NextGenerationBroadbandPa perGatewaytoaKnowledgeIreland.pdf http://www.soumu.go.jp/johotsusintokei/whitep aper/eng/WP2010/2010-index.html

Japan

Latvia

http://www.raplm.gov.lv/uploads/filedir/Infor macijas%20sabiedribas%20attistibas%20pamatn ostadnes%202006_2013_info%20dala.pdf http://www.broadband- europe.eu/Lists/StrategiesData/Attachments/27 /Lithuania%20Broadband%20Strategy_EN.pdf

Lithuania

13

Malta Netherlands

New Zealand Norway Portugal Spain Sweden

The National Broadband Strategy Better Performance with ICT: Update of the ICT Agenda of the Netherlands 2005-2006 The Digital Strategy 2.0 An Information Society for All Technological Plan Plan Avanza2 Estrategia 2011- 2015 Broadband strategy for Sweden

http://www.vus.sk/broadband/nbbs/mt_nbbs.pd f http://aplikace.mvcr.cz/archiv2008/micr/image s/dokumenty/better_performance_with_ict.pdf

http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/StandardSu mmary____43904.aspx http://www.regjeringen.no/upload/FAD/Vedleg g/IKT-politikk/stm17_2006-2007_eng.pdf http://www.planotecnologico.pt/document/tech nological_plan_presentation_document.pdf

Switzerland

UK United States of America

http://www.planavanza.es/InformacionGeneral/ Estrategia2011/Paginas/Estrategia2011_2015.as px http://www.broadband- europe.eu/Pages/Download.aspx?title=Broadban d%20Strategy%20for%20Sweden:%20Broadban d_Strategy_For_Sweden_Nov2009_EN.pdf&url=% 2fLists%2fStrategiesData%2fAttachments%2f35 %2fBroadband_Strategy_For_Sweden_Nov2009_E N.pdf Federal councils http://www.bakom.admin.ch/themen/infosociet strategy to y/00695/index.html?lang=en&download=NHzLp information society Zeg7t,lnp6I0NTU042l2Z6ln1ad1IZn4Z2qZpnO2Y 2006 (OFCOM, New uq2Z6gpJCDdX95e2ym162epYbg2c_JjKbNoKSn6 Strategy 2012) A-- DIGITAL BRITAIN: http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/ Final Report digitalbritain-finalreport-jun09.pdf Connecting America: The National Broadband Plan Consultation Paper On National Broadband Plan, 2010 the IT839 Strategy http://www.broadband.gov/download-plan/

G20/ ICT leaders outside OECD/Non-Annex 1 India

http://www.trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/trai/uplo ad/ConsultationPapers/202/consultationon10ju ne10.pdf http://eng.mic.go.kr/eng/secureDN.tdf?seq=6&id x=2&board_id=E_04_03

South Korea

Besides broadband plans, the Low-Carbon ICT Leadership Benchmark draws on a variety of information sources including reports/data collected by the ITU, EU and OECD, and responses by governments to a dedicated questionnaire developed by GeSI.

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Appendix 2

Framework and sources for assessment of integration of low-carbon ICT in national communications to the UNFCCC
Factors If ICT or IT are included in the text ICT/IT as a source of emissions Examples of ICT/IT solutions that help reduce emissions Amount of current savings from ICT/IT solutions stated Individual targets for ICT/IT solutions CO2 savings Aggregated target for ICT/IT Smart buildings Smart grids Smart transport Sustainable lifestyles Smart health/education Innovation Efficiency Transformative Dematerialization TOTAL Weighting 10 2 20 10 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 8 5 5 5 100% Thresholds 8 50 Measure Yes/no Yes/no Yes/no Yes/no Yes/no Yes/no Yes/no Yes/no Yes/no Yes/no Yes/no Number Number Qualitative Qualitative

Sources For Annex 1 countries: http://unfccc.int/national_reports/annex_i_natcom/submitted_natcom/items/4903.php For non-Annex 1 countries http://unfccc.int/national_reports/non-annex_i_natcom/items/2979.php

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About GeSI
The Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) is a strategic partnership of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector and organisations committed to creating and promoting technologies and practices that foster economic, environmental and social sustainability. Formed in 2001, GeSIs vision is a sustainable world through responsible, ICT-enabled transformation. GeSI fosters global and open cooperation, informs the public of its members voluntary actions to improve their sustainability performance, and promotes technologies that foster sustainable development. GeSI has 33 members representing leading companies and associations from the ICT sector. GeSI also partners with two UN organizations - the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) - as well as a range of international stakeholders committed to ICT sustainability objectives. These partnerships help shape GeSIs global vision regarding the evolution of the ICT sector, and how it can best meet the challenges of sustainable development. For more information, see www.gesi.org.

Dennis Pamlin, who advises GeSI on global climate policy issues, developed the Low-Carbon ICT Leadership Benchmark on GeSIs behalf.

1 See GeSI press release from May 23, 2011:

http://www.gesi.org/Media/PressReleaseFullstory/tabid/104/smid/503/ArticleID/77/reftab/61/ Default.aspx 2 There is no internationally agreed framework that guides a countrys ICT policy/broadband plans/digital strategies in terms of content or structure and different countries have very different approaches. This makes comparison difficult. The approach was to use ITUs overview of broadband strategies/plans and in parallel to contact countries and ask them to provide information about their most relevant plans. There is an opportunity to update the benchmark before COP17 in Durban, so if any country would like another document to be used, or a new document is released, please contact GeSI and the benchmark will be updated. 3 See dedicated webpage: http://www.global-ict-leadership.net/ 4 http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/14216/a/177256 5 http://www.soumu.go.jp/johotsusintokei/whitepaper/eng/WP2010/2010-index.html 6 http://www.bmwi.de/English/Navigation/Service/publications,did=384382.html 7 Examples of reports: http://www.gesi.org/ReportsPublications/AssessmentMethodology/tabid/193/Default.aspx 8 GeSI, Carbon Trust, World Business Council for Sustainable Development and World Resources Institute. 9 Page 21 http://www.soumu.go.jp/johotsusintokei/whitepaper/eng/WP2010/2010-index.html 10 Page 27 http://www.bmwi.de/English/Navigation/Service/publications,did=384382.html 11 http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/new-approach-low-carbon-ict 12 Smart 2020: http://www.gesi.org/ReportsPublications/Smart2020/tabid/192/Default.aspx Saving the climate at the Speed of light: http://www.etno.be/Default.aspx?tabid=1934 Hightech: Low-carbon: http://www.intellectuk.org/intellect-reports/4464 The ICT Sector and the Global Connectivity System: http://www.iisd.org/pdf/2008/ict_global_con_sd.pdf Climate change and ICT: An environment of change: http://cordis.europa.eu/ictresults/pdf/policyreport/INF%207%200100%20IST- R%20policy%20report-forweb.pdf 13 When analysing innovation it was assumed that the countries used a common definition of innovation where the concept refers to a substantial positive change through technology, compared to incremental changes. The texts from governments however indicate that many of the discussions about innovation refer to incremental changes. 14 Dematerialization was analysed by assessing what plans included a discussion about the potential for ICT to deliver services while using a fraction of the natural resources that the traditional way uses e.g. e-commerce.

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