AIIA releases key green technology white paper

The Australian Information Industry Association today released a white paper examining the critical role that technology will play in the reduction of CO₂ emissions and the development of a low-carbon economy. The paper, ICT’s Role in the Low Carbon Economy, was released in Sydney.

“AIIA believes there is a pressing need to focus on the economic benefits of information and communication technology (ICT) as we examine the case for high-speed broadband in Australia,” said AIIA CEO Ian Birks.

“This white paper consolidates a wide range of leading research into the application of technology to a low-carbon economy.

“Green technology will play a huge role in the return we make on any investment in broadband, not only economically but also in the delivery of environmental benefits,” Birks said.

The paper provides a series of recommendations to the Australian Government for the development of a policy framework to reduce the nation’s carbon footprint. It identifies five major areas of focus for government activity, then examines the net benefits of green IT to seven key economic sectors and provides key recommendations in each area.

“Transitioning to a low-carbon economy is a national priority and becoming increasingly important across both the public and business sectors,” continued Birks. “However, the ICT sector has only played a marginal role in this debate up until the present time. ICT will have a critical role to play in delivering the right outcomes and will be central to conversations that seriously examine the low-carbon economy in the future.”

The technologies outlined in the white paper can assist the government in meeting the commitment of a 5% carbon emission reduction by 2020 and could, by the same deadline, bring about huge net benefits, in terms of Australian economic, environmental and social factors including:

• boosting the economy by between $35 to $80 billion
• cutting Australia’s carbon emissions by 116 megatonnes (annually)
• creating up to 70,000 jobs

“With a specific focus on sustainability and use of ICT to drive efficiency gains, a number of studies cited in this paper show how substantial economic benefits can accrue to an economy through the usage of ICT to improve sustainability,” concluded Birks.

This paper represents an increasing focus by AIIA and our members of the reality of the economic and social benefits that a digital economy in Australia will deliver. It joins the AIIA Green IT eBook - now with over 30,000 downloads - as a leading resource for the abatement of greenhouse emissions through technology.