http://www.smart2020.org/ has launched with a press release.
Smarter technology use could reduce global emissions by 15 per cent and save global industry EUR 500 billion in annual energy costs by 2020
Friday 20 June 2008 – Transformation in the way people and businesses use technology could reduce annual man-made
global emissions by 15 per cent by 2020 and deliver energy efficiency savings to global businesses of over EUR 500 billion [GBP
400 billion/USD 800 billion], according to a new report published today by independent non-profit The °Climate Group and the
Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI).The report – SMART 2020: enabling the low carbon economy in the information age – is the world’s first comprehensive global
study of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector’s growing significance for the world’s climate.
The report’s supporting analysis, conducted independently by international management consultants McKinsey & Company,
shows that while ICT’s own sector footprint - currently two per cent of global emissions - will almost double by 2020, ICT’s
unique ability to monitor and maximise energy efficiency both within and outside of its own sector could cut CO2 emissions by
up to five times this amount. This represents a saving of 7.8 Giga-tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO2e) by 2020 –
greater than the current annual emissions of either the US or China.
One of better architecture points made is in the press release.
KEY FINDING 3: Getting SMART about ICT
Going forward, the report recommends a SMART framework is implemented, outlining key actions required by the ICT sector,
national governments and industry. Transformation of the economy will occur when standardisation (S), monitoring (M) and
accounting (A) of energy consumption prompt a rethink (R) in how we optimise for energy efficiency and how we live, work and
play in a low carbon world. Through this enabling platform, transformation (T) will occur when the business models that drive
low carbon alternatives can be developed and diffused at scale across all sectors of the economy.
It’s too bad they made this the 3rd of 3 findings listed, and last in the press release.