ITU Urges Industry To Monitor GHG Emissions For Net-Zero Carbon Footprint
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Industry players should closely monitor their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and act to reduce emissions and energy consumption to achieve net-zero carbon footprints, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The "Greening Digital Companies 2024" report, co-authored by ITU and the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA), reveals a decline in progress towards climate goals, despite companies worldwide committing to digital growth and environmental sustainability.
The report highlights that GHG emissions and energy consumption in the global tech sector have increased, while transparency and accountability remain significant challenges.
Of the 200 companies covered, 148 reported electricity consumption totalling 518 terawatt hours (TWh) in 2022—about 1.9 per cent of global consumption.
Notably, the 10 companies with the highest consumption, all headquartered in East Asia or the United States, accounted for 51 per cent of this total, 9 per cent higher than in 2021.
"Digital technologies offer numerous socio-economic benefits and can accelerate progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by enhancing weather predictions and climate-change monitoring, optimising energy use, and helping to integrate low-emission technologies.
"But to advance sustainable development, the industry must monitor and address its environmental challenges, including carbon emissions, energy and water consumption, e-waste, and raw material depletion," the joint statement said.
The report warns that the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) could strain energy resources and add to emissions, yet AI also holds potential to support sustainable development.
ITU's director of the telecommunication development bureau, Cosmas Zavazava, emphasised the devastating impacts of unchecked GHG emissions, which include extreme weather and rising sea levels.
"If left unchecked, climate change will undo part of the development progress made in the past.
"Governments can support the tech industry’s efforts to balance innovation with sustainability, fostering a twin transition towards digital growth and environmental responsibility," he said.
The report also provides the first comprehensive overview of corporate value-chain emissions, referred to as Scope 3, which accounts for the bulk of digital companies' emissions.
Scope 3 emissions encompass everything from material suppliers and outsourced device production to the use of a company’s end-products, including mobile phones, computers, search engines and AI chatbots.
However, many companies struggle to accurately calculate and report their Scope 3 emissions.
The report said common challenges include a lack of data from suppliers, double-counting and inconsistent application of emissions-allocation principles.
WBA director of research and digitisation Lourdes O. Montenegro said the report provides evidence-based insights into the sector's current state, highlighting the need for data-driven action to ensure business success benefits both people and the planet.
-- BERNAMA
