Green ICT toward Low Carbon Society

Abstract

Information and communications technology (ICT) itself produces CO2 emissions due to consumption of electrical power to operate equipment and systems. On the other hand, ICT usage can contribute to a reduction in CO2 emissions due to a marked improvement in the efficiency of production, consumption and business, also that of traffic alternatives, and a reduction in traffic volume. This is because that ICT is considered to be the first technology that has increased benefit while decreasing proportional consumption of resources and energy. ICT exploitation can readily contribute to solving the climate change issue. It is thus important to further promote shifting to an ICT-oriented society. This paper describes Green research and development activities for reducing the environmental impact of society by reducing the impact of ICT installations in telecommunication centers, datacenters, and customers’ offices and homes (Green of ICT) and by reducing the impact of society as a whole by providing various kinds of ICT services (Green by ICT).