Transcript ICT Workshop - Environment Issues

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• Definition
• ICT
and the environment
• Sub-Themes
• Indicators
and Rationale
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The
environment is defined as
“ the totality of all the
external conditions affecting
the life, development and
survival of an organism. "
Source: Glossary of Environment Statistics,
Studies in Methods, Series F, No. 67, United
Nations, New York, 1997.
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A
broad concept of environment is assumed
to include: climate change, energy, water,
sustainable development, pollution, waste,
land use and degradation, and conservation
of species and ecosystems. These elements
are not mutually exclusive.
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Environmental impacts:
Agents to improve environmental outcomes
(efficiency, dematerialisation, role in
monitoring, administration and
dissemination).
Contributors to environmental damage
(energy usage in, and emissions from,
manufacturing, transport and operation;
pollution from disposal).
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The sub-themes identified under
this area are:
Climate Change
Energy Consumption
Waste/e-waste
Land use
Water resources
Conservation of ecosystems
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Climate
change refers to a change of
climate which is attributed directly
or indirectly to human activity that
alters the composition of the global
atmosphere and which is in addition
to natural climate variability
observed over comparable time
periods. (UN Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) )
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Proposed Caribbean Specific Indicators
Rationale
Total emissions of carbon dioxide from the ICT sector
Key indicator of contribution to climate change,
Total emissions of carbon dioxide from the ICT sector as a per cent
of the total of GHG emissions
Number and type of telecommunications equipment used in
weather forecasting and monitoring
Measures the role of ICT in climate monitoring and weather
forecasting
Incidence of mobile telephone technology being used to provide
climate related information and alerts
Used to inform and raise awareness (e.g., media campaigns) at all
levels of society – including the poor – about the effects of climate
change.
Can be used for coordination of emergency efforts, and
dissemination of locally specific and relevant information (e.g.,
early-warning
systems,
meteorological
information
for
preparedness disseminated through telecentres or mobile phones).
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Energy consumption refers to all the energy used for
heat, power, and electricity generation, regardless
of where the energy was produced.
Energy products can be used for various purposes
(e.g., as an input in production of secondary
energy products or for final consumption) and
by different user groups (e.g., various industries
and households).
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Proposed Caribbean Specific Indicators
Total electricity consumption by ICT sector
Rationale
Measures the effect of ICT on energy demands
Measures ICT potential for Energy efficiency
Total energy consumption by ICT
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IE-waste is a generic term encompassing various
forms of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)
that are old, end-of-life electronic appliances and
have ceased to be of any value to their owners. A
practical definition of e-waste is ‘any electrically
powered appliance that fails to satisfy the current
owner for its originally intended purpose’.
E-waste is also synonymously called WEEE
(pronounced W-triple E), short for Waste Electrical
and Electronic Equipment as defined under Annex IA
of the Directive 2002/96/EC of the European
Parliament and of the Council.
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Proposed Caribbean Specific Indicators
Total amount of e-waste collected by type and
quantity
Total e-waste collected as a percentage of total
municipal waste collected
Total amount of e-waste being recycled by type and
quantity
Total e-waste recycled as a percentage of total
municipal waste collected
Rationale
The objective of this indicator is to quantify the
amount of electronic waste discarded and e-waste
recycling efforts. Toxic and hazardous elements are
present in e-waste and therefore proper handling and
treatment of such harmful elements to prevent
environmental or health impact is necessary.
The appropriate handling of e-waste can both prevent
serious environmental damage and also recover
valuable materials, especially for metals
E-waste disposal has direct and indirect effects on
human health conditions. .
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Land use refers to the functional division of land for
different human purposes or economic activities.
(Please refer to the OECD’s Glossary of Statistical
Terms website at http://stats.oecd.org/glossary/)
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Proposed Specific Indicators
Justification
ICT has the potential to facilitate land management
processes and activities.
Number of ICT equipment and applications used for
Land Use Management by Type
ICT applications can be used in urban planning (i.e.
GIS), and in monitoring and provision of relevant
environmental information to support decision-making
processes contributing to the adaptation of human
habitats and infrastructure. Good land information
creates better land use policy.
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The International Glossary of Hydrology defines water
resources as water available, or capable of being
made available, for use in sufficient quantity and
quality at a location and over a period of time
appropriate for an identifiable demand.
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Proposed Caribbean Specific Indicators
Rationale
ICT Equipment and applications being used to monitor
the water supply
Supports MDG Goal 7 Target 7.C: Halve, by 2015, the
proportion of people without sustainable access to safe
drinking water and basic sanitation
ICT tools used in Water Distribution
Water smart meters and ICT tools to support leak
detection, automated meter reading through
communication networks
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An ecosystem is defined as a community
of plants, animals and smaller organisms
that live, feed, reproduce and interact
in the same area or environment
This will include systems for managing
specific natural areas or ecosystems
such as coasts, i.e. coastal zone
management systems, mountains, etc;
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Proposed Caribbean Specific Indicators
Rationale
ICT tools and applications used to monitor the
ecosystem
Protected Areas monitored using ICT
Biodiversity monitored using ICT by species
Used for observation, monitoring and networking
changes in the ecosystems
Used for environment management and protection
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THANKS!