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ICTs, CLIMATE CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES *Please note: This table seeks to identify key references that integrate ICTs, Climate Change and Development, and will be updated as new publications become available. Resources have been organised chronologically, according to their publication year, and alphabetically, according to their title. |
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YEAR |
TITLE |
AUTHOR / INSTITUTION |
MAIN OBJECTIVE |
LINK: |
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2010 |
Building Capacity in Communication and ICT Applications for Community-Based Adaptation |
Simone Sala In “Advancing Adaptation through Communication for Development”, FAO. |
This article explores the role of ICTs within adaptation processes, suggesting six key adaptive steps in which these tools can contribute (namely observation, analysis, planning, implementation and management, capacity building and networking). It also suggests that Communication for Development (ComDev) can facilitate the application of ICTs to Community Based Adaptation (CBA) strategies at the local level.
*Note: This document is included in the Proceedings of the Technical Session on Communication, Third International Workshop on CBA to Climate Change, February 2009, Dhaka, Bangladesh. |
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2010 |
Collaborative Change: A Communication Framework for Climate Change Adaptation and Food Security |
Communication for Sustainable Development Initiative (CSDI), FAO |
The document provides a preliminary framework for strengthening development institutions and programmes in their capacity to address the communication dimensions of the new challenges related to climate change and food security. It argues the need to integrate communication FOR development (ComDev) in community-based adaptation to give the most vulnerable groups change to cope with climate change and food insecurity. | |
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2010 |
Communication Assessment and Action Plan for the LACC Project in Bangladesh |
Communication for Sustainable Development Initiative (CSDI), FAO |
The document presents FAO’s supported project Livelihood Adaptation to Climate Change (LACC) in Bangladesh, systematising lessons learnt on the role of communication within project activities, and presenting a set of recommendations related to Communication for Development (ComDev) and ICTs for the next phase of this initiative. |
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2010 |
ICTs and the Environment in Developing Countries: Opportunities and Developments |
John Houghton |
This document explores how the internet, ICTs and related research communities can help tackle environmental challenges in developing countries through more environmentally sustainable models of economic development. It includes the identification of key tools, emerging issues and areas of concern for developing and emerging economies.
*Note: This document is a chapter of an OECD publication that draws on discussion papers prepared for the workshop Policy Coherence in the Application of ICTs for Development (OECD, infoDev/WB, Sep. 2009). |
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2010 |
ICTD Case Study 2: ICT for Disaster Risk Reduction |
UN-APCICT/ESCAP |
The document addresses the role of ICTs in the various phases of disaster management, examining their impact on preparedness, response and mitigation in the aftermath of disasters like the Indian Ocean Tsunami and the Haiti Earthquake, while drawing on lessons learnt by practitioners in the field. | |
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2010 |
Linking ICTs and Climate Change Adaptation: A Conceptual Framework for e-Resilience and e-Adaptation
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Angelica Valeria Ospina and Richard Heeks, Centre for Development Informatics, University of Manchester. Funding support provided by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
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The aim of this paper is to set out a conceptual foundation that links climate change, livelihoods vulnerability, and the potential of ICTs in supporting systemic resilience. The document builds four new conceptual models: i) Climate change vulnerability in developing countries; ii) Climate change adaptation and adaptive capacity of communities and wider ‘livelihood systems’; iii) Climate change resilience; iv) The contribution of ICTs to ‘e-resilience’ and ‘e-adaptation’. The models can be used as the foundation for research, consulting and strategy on ICTs and climate change. | |
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2010 |
Smarter Moves: How Information Communications Technology can Promote Sustainable Mobility |
Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) |
With the aim of providing policy recommendations to reduce the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions, the report explores the role of ICTs in mobility, including the scope of these tools in travel reduction, driver and vehicle behavior change, and the efficiency of transport networks, among others. |
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2010 |
Unveiling the Links Between ICTs and Climate Change in Developing Countries: A Scoping Study |
Angelica Valeria Ospina and Richard Heeks, Centre for Development Informatics, University of Manchester. Funding support provided by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) |
The document responds to the need to explore further the links between ICTs, climate change and development, as these fields become increasingly interlocked due to the magnifying effect of climate change on existing development challenges and vulnerabilities. It targets an audience of development strategists and practitioners – working on ICTs-for-development (ICT4D), on climate change, on disaster response, and other focal areas – interested in gaining a better understanding of the current trends and perspectives in ICTs-and-climate change research, with a focus on developing countries. It seeks to raise awareness on the potential and challenges associated with the use of these tools from a developing country perspective, as well as to identify emerging issues and research gaps that require further academic analysis and/or multi-stakeholder collaboration. | |
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2009 |
Achieving Environmental Sustainability and Growth in Africa: the Role of Science, Technology and Innovation. |
Christian Webersik & Clarice Wilson
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Based on the recognition of the environmental challenges and climate change vulnerability in developing regions like Africa, the article argues for the need to rethink not only policies and practices but specially the role of science and innovation, including ICTs, in addressing sustainability challenges. |
JOURNAL ARTICLE Sustainable Development, 17, p. 400-413. |
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2009 |
A five-step Plan for Low Carbon Urban Development |
World Wild Fund/Ericsson |
The document aims to promote action and increase understanding of how existing ICT infrastructure can deliver immediate and transformative solutions to policy-makers. It presents a five-step plan to accelerate the uptake of low-carbon services based on current technologies. | |
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2009 |
e-Environment Toolkit and Readiness Index (EERI) |
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) |
The document is aimed at helping countries, jurisdictions, communities and organisations, particularly those in the developing world, assess the contribution of ICTs in the reduction of energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as part of a national climate change strategy and action plan. The toolkit considers the readiness of countries and jurisdictions to use ICTs for mitigating and adjusting to the impacts of climate change. Indicators of the readiness of countries are captured using the e-Environment Readiness Index (EERI). | |
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2009 |
Enhancing the Effectiveness of ICT Applications for Disaster Management |
The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA)/IDRC |
The document presents the results of an applied research project implemented by CDEMA with funding support of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), focussed on enhancing the effectiveness of Disaster Management practices in the Caribbean region through the identification and testing of innovative ICT applications. Research includes e-messaging, amateur (Ham) radio and GIS applications, as well as policy recommendations. |
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2009 |
Green ICT: A “Cool” Factor in the Wake of Multiple Meltdowns |
Preminda Fernando and Atsuko Okuda. ESCAP Technical Paper, Information and Communications Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction Division |
The report focusses on the role that green ICT can play in stimulating economic activities, advancing social development goals and promoting sustainable development. The document defines “Green and cool ICT” as “ICTs which, as a result of usage, produce comparatively low levels of carbon emissions while having the potential to exponentially reduce emissions in other areas by catalyzing technological, institutional and behavioral change, while bringing forth socio-economic benefits.” It also provides recommendations for the introduction of this approach into the ICT4D practice and debate. | |
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2009 |
ICTs, the Environment and Climate Change, High-level OECD Conference: 27-28 May 2009 |
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) |
The document presents the main outcomes of the OECD High-level meeting held 27-28 May 2009, hosted by the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. The event focussed on the role of ICTs in the improvement of environmental performance and climate change mitigation in all sectors of the economy. The theme of “Green ICTs” was discussed in the context of the economic crisis and the role of innovation for green growth. | |
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2009 |
ICTs and Climate Change, ITU Background Report: Symposium on ICTs and Climate Change. Quito, Ecuador, 8-10 July 2009 |
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) |
The report presents an overview of the main issues faced by Latin American countries with regards to climate change, including deforestation and financing. It provides examples of ICT potential in the fields of monitoring, mitigation, adaptation, and emergency communication. The Annex to the report provides an inventory of work underway at ITU on climate change. | |
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2009 |
ICT World Today |
Korea Information Society Development Institute (KISDI) |
This second issue of ICT World Today examines the role ICTs play in promoting environmental sustainability, including ways in which ICTs are being used to address climate change mitigation and adaptation. This publication is supported by the UN Asia and Pacific Training Centre for ICT4D (APCICT). | |
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2009 |
Issues and Challenges of Climate Change for Women Farmers in the Caribbean: The Potential of ICTs |
Nidhi Tandon. Commissioned by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) |
The objective of this concept paper is to identify and analyse the potential ICTs can offer to women farmers in the Caribbean region, in order to better prepare for and manage climate change. |
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2009 |
Mobile’s Green Manifesto |
GSMA / The Climate Group |
The document presents the mobile industry’s plans to lower its greenhouse gas emissions per connection, seeking to demonstrate the key role that mobile communications can play in lowering emissions in other sectors and industries. It provides policy recommendations for governments and the United Nations Climate Change Conference, in order to realise the potential of these tools to enable reductions in global greenhouse emissions. |
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2009 |
Planting the Knowledge Seed: Adapting to Climate Change Using ICTs |
Patrick Kalas & Alan Finlay, Commissioned by Building Communication Opportunities (BCO) Alliance |
The report explores the role of ICTs (i.e. radios, mobile phones, personal computers, the internet and interactive media) in the reduction of climate change risks faced by vulnerable populations. It is targetted to an audience of development practitioners and policy-makers, and includes concrete project examples of innovative ICT applications that are emerging in the developing field. |
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2009 |
Policy Brief on ICT Applications in Knowledge Economy |
UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, UN ESCAP |
The paper briefly examines the functional roles that a telecentre can add to its services to support Disaster Risk Management (DRM) at the community level. It also examines the challenges that could affect their usefulness and effectiveness in DRM. |
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2008 |
From Fossil to Future with Innovative ICT Solutions |
World Wild Fund (WWF) |
The report explores the opportunities for ICTs to increase efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions by using existing equipment and implementing existing solutions. It also proposes eight steps towards a low-carbon society using ICTs innovatively in order to achieve transformative change, and identifies some of the challenges that need to be addressed in this process. | |
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2008 |
ICTs for e-Environment: Guidelines for Developing Countries with a Focus on Climate Change |
Richard Labelle, with input from Ralph Rodschat and Tony Vetter. Commission by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) |
The report presents an overview of ICT trends and impacts on the environment and climate change, as well as their role in mitigation and adaptation efforts. The document approaches the topic from a developmental perspective, and provides an account of current activities and initiatives in the field. It also draws a set of recommendations aimed at strengthening the capacity of developing countries to make beneficial use of ICTs to mitigate and adapt to environmental change. | |
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2008 |
ICTs, Adaptation to Climate Change, and Sustainable Development at the Edges |
Don MacLean. Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) |
The paper addresses the topic of adaptation in vulnerable regions and the role of ICTs, considering both threats and opportunities that arise from the effects of climate change. It presents examples of climate change adaptation in the Arctic to demonstrate that it is a complex, multi-dimensional challenge, while identifying linkages between ICTs and key adaptation issues. | |
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2008 |
ICTs, Innovation and the Challenge of Climate Change. |
Don MacLean & Bill St. Arnaud, Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) |
The document explores the relationship between ICTs, innovation, and the challenge of climate change; with the aim of providing recommendations to help the OECD Working Party on the Information Economy (WPIE) develop a work programme on the subject of “ICTs and the Environment”. It addresses the challenge of reconciling ICT-enabled innovation and economic growth with reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to the consequences of climate change. | |
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2008 |
ICTs and Climate Change: ITU Background Report. |
ITU/MIC Japan Symposium on ICTs and Climate Change. Kyoto, 15-16 April 2008. |
This report looks at the potential role of ICTs from their contribution to global warming, to monitoring it, mitigating its effects in the ICT and other sectors, as well as in adaptation. It also looks at the work that the ITU has conducted on the subject, including the UN climate-neutral campaign. | |
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2008 |
ICT-enabled Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia & the Pacific |
UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, UN ESCAP |
The document describes trends related to the development and application of ICTs in support of disaster risk reduction. It explores the role of these tools with respect to effective early warning systems, emergency communications and disaster management systems; the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015, and strategy support for risk reduction. | |
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2008 |
Information Technology and Sustainability: Essays on the Relationship Between Information Technology and Sustainable Development |
Hilty, Lorenz M. |
This book presents a compilation of essays on various topics related to the role of IT and environmental sustainability. |
BOOK |
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2008 |
Impacts of Information and Communication Technologies on Energy Efficiency |
Bio-Intelligence (European Commission DG INFSO) |
This study examines the impacts of ICTs on energy efficiency in Europe, including renewables and energy production and GHG emissions. It analyses the environmental footprint of the ICT sector, as well as the effects of using ICT applications in support of higher energy efficiency and energy savings in other areas, including dematerialisation. | |
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2008 |
ITU and Climate Change |
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) |
The document presents a general overview of the key issues related to the ICT sector and climate change. It makes reference to ITU’s actions in this field, and identifies areas of ICT potential in monitoring, mitigation and adaptation efforts. | |
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2008 |
Outline for the First Global IT Strategy for CO2 Reductions |
World Wild Fund (WWF) |
The report presents 10 strategic ICT-based solutions that can help accelerate the reduction of CO2 emissions. They include smart city planning and buildings, smart appliances, dematerialisation, smart grids, and intelligent transport, among others. |
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2008 |
SMART 2020: Enabling the Low-Carbon Economy in the Information Age |
The Climate Group. Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) |
The report outlines a set of actions needed for ICTs to contribute to climate change mitigation and energy efficiency, including: standardise and monitor energy consumption and emissions information; allow accountability in the field; rethink consumption patterns and foster business models that drive low-carbon alternatives, among others. |
View |
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2008 |
The Contribution of ICT to Climate Change Mitigation |
World Economic Forum (WEF) |
The paper presents three main areas in which ICTs can contribute to climate change mitigation, namely infrastructure innovation; behavioural change and green enablement; and energy efficiency of ICT products and solutions. It also explores the need for a unified and clear message on the role of ICT in mitigation, to better inform regulatory and investment decisions. | |
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2008 |
The ICT Sector and the Global Connectivity System: A Sustainable Development Overview |
Vetter, T. & Creech, H. International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) |
The report explores the role of the ICT sector in sustainable development, including the environmental challenge of ICT innovation. The analysis includes the role and growth of personal computers, network traffic, data centres and mobile phones, as well as their impact on e-waste. | |
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2008 |
The Potential Global CO2 Reductions from ICT use |
World Wild Fund (WWF) |
The document provides a comprehensive global assessment of strategic opportunities for ICT solutions that can help accelerate the reduction of CO2 emissions. It proposes 10 solution areas that could deliver one billion tonnes of strategic CO2, from smart city planning, appliances and grids, to dematerialisation and intelligent transport, among others. | |
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2007 |
Climate Change and ICT: An Environment of Change. |
European Commission (EC)
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The report examines how ICTs can assist monitoring and preparing for climate change, while taking steps towards more sustainable growth. The document is focussed on the priorities and strategies in the field in Europe, and provides examples of projects and initiatives that have been implemented in this region. | |
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2007 |
A Review of Research on the Environmental Impact of e-business and ICT |
Lan, Y. & Hywel R, T.
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This paper provides a review of current information on how e-business/ICT affects the environment. It includes findings from journal papers and theses that have been peer-reviewed, as well as other resources, such as projects and project reports, conferences and symposia, and websites. |
JOURNAL ARTICLE Environment International, 33 841-849. |
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2007 |
ICTs and Climate Change |
ITU-T Technology Watch Report #3, International Telecommunications Union (ITU) |
The report looks at the potential role of ICTs at different stages of the process of climate change, including the need to develop long-term solutions, both in the ICT sector and in other sectors of the economy. It includes an overview of ITU’s actions in the field, as well as strategic options for the future. | |
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2006 |
Mobile Telephony as an Enabler of Environmental Action in the Philippines |
Dolma Dongtotsang & Sagun, R. A. International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) |
The paper explores how the telecommunications sector, and in particular mobile telephony, offers tools that may be used for environmental action in the Philippines. It identifies a strong need for collaboration on SMS initiatives to address air and water pollution in this country, and provides policy recommendations to use mobile telephony as an enabler of environmental sustainability in national SD policies and e-strategies. | |
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2006 |
The Implications of New Information and Communication Technologies for Sustainability |
Christian Fuchs |
This paper discusses the relationship between ICTs and sustainable development, exploring the myths associated with telework and dematerialisation. It also explores the notion of a sustainable information society, arguing that its achievement requires conscious reduction of profits by not investing in the future of capital, but the future of humans, society, and nature. |
JOURNAL ARTICLE Environment, Development and Sustainability, 10 (3), June 2008 |
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2005 |
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Egypt
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Amira Sobeih |
The study describes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a technology that could be used by Egypt and other countries to assist with natural resource management initiatives, and enable increased public participation in decision-making. |
BOOK CHAPTER In: Willard, T. & Andjelkovic, M. (eds.) A Developing Connection: Bridging the Policy Gap Between the Information Society and Sustainable Development. Winnipeg: International Institute for Sustainable Development |
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2005 |
Saving the Climate @ the Speed of Light: First Roadmap for Reduced CO2 Emissions in the EU and Beyond. |
Dennis Pamlin, & Katalin Szomolanyi, commissioned by ETNO & WWF |
The report explores the opportunity for ICT services to reduce CO2 emissions, with a focus on travel replacement, dematerialisation and sustainable community/city planning. It also suggests a strategy for CO2 reductions in Europe, including targets and next steps. | |
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2005 |
Tsunami Lessons, LIRNEAsia |
Samarajiva, R. LIRNEasia.net |
This source presents key experiences and lessons learnt in terms of the role of ICTs in disaster response, based on the Asian Tsunami. | |
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2005 |
Using ICTs for Poverty Reduction and Environmental Protection in Kenya: The “M-vironment” Approach. |
Wainaina Mungai, OneWorld International, Kenya. In: A Developing Connection – Bridging the policy gap between information society and sustainable development. International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) |
The document addresses the need to integrate environmental issues in the regional and national poverty reduction and ICT discussions in developing countries such as Kenya. It presents the “M-vironment Framework”, in order to explore the potential of a mobile telephony platform to enable financial sustainability for environmental protection efforts; facilitate awareness-raising and exchange of information; strengthen early warning systems; create employment and protect livelihoods, among others. | |
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2004 |
IT and Sustainable Development |
Pamlin, D. & Ewa, T. Ministry of Environment/Swedish EPA (Forum IT och Miljö) |
The report presents strategic issues related to ICT/IT and sustainable development. It explores general cultural, democratic and economic changes generated by the diffusion of IT, suggesting a series of principles that could serve as a basis for integrating discussions on IT and sustainability in organisations, both in the private and public sectors. These include shifting the focus from products to services; including the issue of environmental benefits in all major IT investments, and reducing rebound effects, among others. | |
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2003 |
Communication and Natural Resource Management |
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) |
The book analyses the importance of communication in natural resource management. It presents practical cases from Africa, Asia and Latin America, illustrating the importance of community-based action and the potential of ICT tools in the management of natural resources. | |
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2003 |
ICTs and Ensuring Environmental Sustainability |
Daly, John. In: The Digital Pulse: Current and Future applications of ICTs for Developmental Health Priorities. The Communication Initiative. |
Seeking to identify how the information revolution can be utilised to advance environmental goals, particularly the MDGs, the document examines the ways in which ICTs can contribute to environmental sustainability. |
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2003 |
The Information Society and Sustainable Development |
Willard, T. & Halder, M. International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) |
The paper provides an introduction to various analytical frameworks available for policy research and analysis on harnessing the information society to achieve national sustainable development priorities. It includes an exploration of environmental information systems, eco-efficiency and innovation approaches, national information society and sustainable development policies, among others, in order to demonstrate the potential of the information society in the achievement of sustainable development goals. | |
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2002 |
By Choice or by Chance: How the Internet is Used to Prepare for, Manage, and Share Information About Emergencies |
Laurie Putnam. In: First Monday, 7(11). |
The article explores the implications of the internet for agencies that work to mitigate, prepare for, and respond to natural and human-made disasters. The analysis includes the implications of the internet for members of the general public who are directly or indirectly affected by disasters. | |
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2002 |
Sustainability @ the Speed of Light |
World Wild Fund (WWF) |
The report explores the role of ICTs in tomorrow’s society, through the identification of key sustainable development challenges and the potential contribution of these technologies. The analysis includes the role of the internet in the new energy economy, e-commerce and the environment, travel substitution, technology leapfrogging and the implications of cyber-consumption, among others. | |
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2002 |
The Contribution of ICTs to the Transition Towards a Climate-Neutral Society. |
Adriaan Slob, & Marc van Lieshout. |
This book chapter presents an assessment of the potential contribution of ICTs in the transition towards a more climate-neutral society. It places technology within a social context, and identifies key trends in ICT applications, including possible effects on energy consumption. |
BOOK CHAPTER In: Kok, M. T. J., Vermeulen, W. J. V., Faaij, A. P. C. & de Jager, D. (eds.) Global Warming and Social Innovation: The Challenge of a Climate-Neutral Society. |
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2002 |
The Grey Side of ICT |
Andrius Plepys |
The paper analyses the rebound effects of ICTs, arguing that the performance improvements in ICT lead to increased consumption of ICT products and services, which has numerous environmental implications on different levels. By presenting examples from different literature, the paper illustrates the complexity of the environmental impacts and stresses the decisive role of human behaviour in determining their significance. |
JOURNAL ARTICLE Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 22(5) |
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2000 |
The Knowledge Economy and Climate Change: An Overview of New Opportunities |
European Commission/IST |
The report explores the potential of various IT-based solutions to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses. It includes analysis of dematerialisation, substitution, transport efficiency and production, among others. | |
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1997 |
Deep Information: The Role of Information Policy in Environmental Sustainability |
John Felleman |
The book analyses the connection that exists between information and environmental sustainability. It explores a series of information and knowledge models and systems, and links them to issues of policy and regulation. |
BOOK |