The Broadband Bridge: Linking ICT with Climate Action for a Low-Carbon Economy

Analyzes the use of broadband in enabling the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs), creating a low-carbon economy, mitigating climate change, and creating resource efficiency. Assesses challenges such as the lack of a unified national broadband development strategy and universally agreed standards, gaps in broadband penetration and affordability across regions and within countries, the "silo" approach of the regulatory environment, the lack of policies and incentives to produce greener ICT solutions, limited understanding of the market opportunities for broadband, and the lack of awareness and education particularly in developing countries. Reviews successful initiatives, which are: the Guadalajara Declaration; the Intelligent Community Forum; the Stockholm Royal Seaport; Microsoft, Accenture, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's energy-smart buildings; Hermiston Energy Services; the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI); smart stakeholder partnerships such as the ITU Smart Grids standards initiative; the Cairo Roadmap and Accra Call to Action; and the US Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest Laboratory Olympic Peninsula Project. Includes government case studies in Australia, India, Mexico, South Africa, Sweden, and South Korea.