Carbon Emissions of Information Technology

Abstract

The Information Technology has played a major role to reduce carbon emissions. Saudi Arabia and Australia have played a major role through Information Technology to combat the climatic change. Both countries have the potential of new information technologies to contribute carbon emissions. Almost 2% of the global carbon emission is estimated to be from the sector of information and Communication Technology. This is the same as the carbon emitted by the fuel consumed in airline industry. Information Technology has contributed towards carbon emissions across other sectors as well. This paper focuses on the major initiatives taken by Saudi and Australia in combating climate change and contribution of IT to carbon emissions.

Carbon Emissions of Information Technology

Introduction

The carbon dioxide emissions arise from two sources, natural and anthropogenic, the latter having strong growth in recent decades. The current average emissions of carbon in air hovers around 380 ppm, or 0.038%, with some variation day-night, seasonal and localized pollution peaks. With large variations, the annual increase in the concentration of carbon in the atmosphere has increased from 0.5 ppm / year in 1960 to 2 ppm / year in 2000, with a minimum of 0.43 in 1992 and a maximum of 3 ppm in 1998. Since 2000, the annual rate has hardly changed. The concentration of carbon in the atmosphere is currently 387 ppm, or 0.0387% of the atmosphere. The carbon emissions are a major concern across all over the world. In 2008, the countries 'least developed' represent over 50% of global emissions, but partly because of the production of goods for rich countries. While accounting for 80% of the world population, contributed only 20% of emissions from 1751-2007. The rate of carbon in air increased 280-383 ppm during this same period. The carbon content has never been so high since 2.1 million years ago.

Therefore, it is a major concern for the whole world. Saudi Arabia and Australia, being the developed and rich nations of the world, are seriously concerned on this major issue of reducing carbon emissions. Both the countries can develop a roadmap for the gradual reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This can make them competitive low carbon countries. This roadmap must be accompanied by sectoral strategies to promote technological innovation. These sectoral strategies should cover in particular:

The electricity sector, to make it safer, more competitive and eliminate carbon emissions. The power supply should be more diverse, including using photo voltaic;

Sustainable mobility, thanks to the optimal use of transport networks, energy efficient vehicles, electrification and clean fuels, including aviation;

The construction sector, improving the energy performance of buildings to achieve a GHG reduction of this sector;

Industry, including industries with high energy consumption. Indeed, the sector's emissions could be reduced by innovations in the use of resources, recycling and carbon capture large scale;

Agriculture for sustainable land use and reducing emissions, particularly through management of soil and manure, the efficient use of fertilizers, diversification and commercialization of local production and to extensive agriculture.

In Saudi Arabia, Saudi Aramco has taken measures to ...