FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Barcelona Climate Change Talks, SPAIN, 03 November 2009
Policy makers in Barcelona talks and the Copenhagen United Nation Climate Change Conference should
consider how to foster investment in ICT to mitigate climate change. That’s the message from strategy
consultants Analysys Mason at the Barcelona Climate Change Talks, on day two of the event. (Analysys
Mason Energy www.analysysmasonenergy.com)
The Barcelona Climate Change Talks, 2–6 November 2009, are a prelude to the much anticipated
Copenhagen Conference in December. David Eurin, Head of Energy Consulting at Analysys Mason, is in
Barcelona as part of the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) delegation, providing input to the
talks.
Eurin’s message to delegates is that policy makers and governments represented in Barcelona this week,
and in Copenhagen next month, must carefully consider how ICT can help countries fulfil their carbon
reduction commitments.
“The only way developed and developing countries will manage to balance long-term economic growth
and sustainability is to invest a significant portion of today’s public- and private-sector budgets in
advanced technologies and, in particular, ICT systems,” said Eurin.
“Developing countries face additional challenges as far as ICT is concerned, and have to invest in new
ICT systems instead of optimising older ones. This might lead to increased CO2 emissions at first, as the
benefits of economic development kick in”, said Eurin. “Economic growth is a natural goal, but this can
offset the carbon reduction benefits unless technology development is carefully managed.”
Private companies have invested in new ICT systems to reduce costs, increase operational efficiency and
welfare of their staff, and increase their market share and the value of their services. “This process of
value creation, sometimes started by an environmental concern,” says Eurin, “has driven private
companies to build sound business cases for the introduction of low-carbon technologies and processes.”
The ITU has defined a wolrdwide standard to measure the CO2 reduction of ICT systems. However, there
is still no widely-agreed methodology to estimate some form of incentive in recognition of a company's
investment in equipment that contributes to CO2 reduction. For example, there is no UNFCCC Clean
Development Mechanism (following the Kyoto protocol) today to claim certified emission reduction (CER)
credits by organisations investing in systems that have high energy efficiency and low-carbon emissions.
This calls for a new business model, according to Eurin, “I believe an appropriate way forward would be
to consider widening the scope of the Kyoto Clean Development Mechanism, which, at present, is
primarily used for clean energy projects.”
Analysys Mason’s energy strategy consultants work with public- and private-sector clients worldwide on
key issues in relation to energy strategy and CO2 emission reduction. Analysys Mason was at the
forefront of the transformation of the telecommunications sector and is now helping the energy sector to
undergo a similar but faster, radical shift.
The Barcelona Climate Change Talks this week, 2–6 November 2009, have been organised by the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
For more information, or to arrange an interview with our energy strategy consultants, please contact the
press office on press@analysysmason.com or telephone +44 (0)1223 460600.
Link to press release online: http://www.analysysmason.com/About-Us/News/Press-releases/ICTinvestments-can-help-reduce-costs-and-carbon-emissions/
ends . . .
About Analysys Mason (www.analysysmason.com/carbonreductioncommitment)
Analysys Mason delivers strategy advice, operations support and market intelligence worldwide to leading
public and private sector organisations in a range of sectors including telecoms, IT, media and energy.
Analysys Mason consistently delivers significant and sustainable business benefits. We are respected
worldwide for the exceptional quality of our work, our independence and the flexibility of our teams in
responding to client needs. The company has over 250 staff worldwide, with headquarters in London and
offices in Cambridge, Dubai, Dublin, Edinburgh, Madrid, Manchester, Milan, Paris, Singapore and
Washington DC.
Media contact:
Gina Ghensi
Press Office
Analysys Mason
Tel: +44 (0)1223 460600
Email: press@analysysmason.com
Web: http://www.analysysmason.com