The Broadband Commission for Digital Development has released 10 recommendations for global leaders to strengthen the power of ICT to accelerate the move towards a low-carbon economy.
In its latest report, The Broadband Bridge: Linking ICT with climate action, the commission notes that broadband can help address the causes and effects of climate change, and highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in transitioning to a cleaner future.
Based on supporting material from more than 20 experts in the field, the report is the result of work conducted by the Broadband Commission Working Group on Climate Change, chaired by Ericsson president and CEO Hans Vestberg.
“Addressing climate change implies completely transforming our way of life, the way we work, the way we travel, shifting our model of development to a fairer, more sustainable model to ensure our survival,” said ITU secretary-general Dr Hamadoun Tour'e, in a release.
Vestburg adds that the understanding of broadband's benefits is at a global tipping point. “Its role in GDP growth, in enabling the Millennium Development Goals, and offsetting the effects of climate change is just now starting to be understood.”
The Broadband Commission's 10 recommendations for strengthening the power of ICT in these solutions include:
Lead with vision
“Adopt a long-term national broadband plan based on universal affordability and accessibility, open markets and innovation, and consciously connect this to your climate goals,” says the report. It adds that broadband can act as a gateway to the networked economy, with its potential to transform the way people live and work by opening a door to new business models and growth opportunities.
Bring convergence
The commission suggests aligning ICT policy formulation with other policy areas such as energy, health, education and climate in order to maximise impact. Lauren Hermanus, a consultant at Incite Sustainability, says ICTs' contribution to a more sustainable society will mainly be via the development of social capital and solutions created in partnership with other industries. Particular examples include mobile banking and healthcare solutions.
Ensure regulatory certainty
“Make clear regulatory rules and regulations on climate and broadband to help create a framework of investment certainty,” the report advises. It adds that high licensing fees and tariffs, as well as spectrum charges, inhibit market development and discourage investment and expansion.
Be an example
It's important to drive cross-ministry collaboration and integrated decision-making, says the report, in order to align climate and digital goals. It also encourages the use of government procurement to send the right market signals.
Foster flexibility
The report notes that the current regulatory environment promotes a “silo” approach in which decisions are made in isolation and separate communication networks are built in parallel. “Identify and remove the regulatory and policy barriers hindering research and investment in ICT-based broadband-enabled infrastructure and low-carbon solutions,” says the commission.
Provide incentives
Governments are advised to support market change by rewarding desired consumer behaviours and spurring innovation among individuals, companies and sectors. There is too little incentive for the risk-averse electricity industry, for example, to invest in the possibilities offered by smart grid, says the commission. As utilities aren't responsible for contributing to national climate change goals, this hampers more rapid deployment of broadband solutions.
Build the market
Fund and facilitate scalable pilots to demonstrate the effectiveness of broadband as an enabler of low-carbon solutions, says the report. It also advocates building a strong business case to attract private investment.
Form partnerships
The commission encourages the cultivation of connectivity and “co-creativity” across public, private and non-governmental sectors. This can help develop a collaborative mindset, a common language, and shared goals.
Measure and standardise
Develop common metrics and standards for calculating both the environmental impacts of ICTs and the positive contribution they can make in other sectors, says the report - from individual households to city and national levels.
Share knowledge and raise awareness
Hermanus notes that a number of tech firms are now clearer about the impact their products and services can make in moving to a low-carbon economy. “For ICT companies, sustainability is about innovation, not compliance.” The report encourages companies and governments to share project findings and best practices so they can learn from mistakes, identify success factors and facilitate leapfrogging.
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