Exploring the effect of ICT solutions on GHG emissions in 2030

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are expected to have a great potential to reduce the GHG emissions across society, however limited data on actual reductions have been published so far. Based on available data on real GHG emission reductions realized by different ICT solutions, this paper explores the possible reductions globally within a 2030 timeframe. An average of the future scenarios for 2030 made by United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been modified by applying GHG reduction potentials for different ICT solutions in sectors like energy, buildings, travel and transport. In addition, a comparison with the SMARer2020 forecast is included. The results indicates a total GHG emission reduction potential due to the studied ICT solutions of about 8 Gtonnes CO2e or 12% of the global GHG emissions in 2030 in a high reduction potential scenario, and 4 Gtonnes CO2e in 2030 or 6% in a medium reduction potential scenario. If also estimated potentials related to agriculture are added based on the SMARTer 2020 study the potentials increase to 10 Gtonnes CO2e (15%) and 5 Gtonnes CO2e (8%) respectively. This corresponds to reduction potentials for the different ICT solution categories of 1 to 4%.