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This policy document presents the vision and the strategies to address climate change of the  International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Within the United Nations system, ITU’s competence in the telecommunications/information and telecommunication technology (ICT) sector enables it to contribute to nearly all of the main pillars of work under the Bali Roadmap and framework for negotiations, namely science and data monitoring, adaptation, mitigation and technology. At the same time, ITU will reach out to its membership to assist them in combating climate change and in adapting to it, and will engage more fully with other organizations active in this effort.

This activity report was prepared specially for the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Symposium on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Climate Change, in Quito, Ecuador, 8-10 July 2009. It examines the ways in which ICTs contribute to global warming, but also how they can be used to monitor, mitigate and adapt to climate change. It also highlights that the actions of the ICT industry have to be a coordinated part of a wider, global initiative, and that is why the outcomes of the ITU symposia will contribute to ongoing work in the ITU and elsewhere. Technology-based solutions have to be backed up by political will and a genuine desire to change the direction in which humanity is heading, in order to avoid a planetary crisis caused by climate change.

This manual aims to help countries, jurisdictions, communities and organizations, particularly those in the developing world, assess the contribution that information and communication technologies (ICTs) can make to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as part of a national climate change strategy and action plan. The toolkit proposes an approach and some tools for this purpose. It also  considers the readiness of countries and jurisdictions to use ICTs for mitigating and adjusting to the impacts of climate change. This readiness assessment is based on the use of indicators. Indicators of the readiness of countries are captured using the e-Environment Readiness Index (EERI).

This analytical report reviews key Information and Communications Technology (ICT) trends and provides an overview of the impact that ICTs have on the environment and climate change as well as their role in helping mankind to mitigate and adapt to these changes. Intended as guidelines for developing countries, the report approaches the topic from a developmental perspective and is based on consultations with key actors and extensive online research. It documents current activities and initiatives and makes a set of recommendations for strengthening the capacity of developing countries to make beneficial use of ICTs to mitigate and adapt to environmental change, including climate change.

This technical document provides comprehensive technical and operational information on current observation applications and systems and on the use of radio frequencies by meteorological systems, including meteorological satellites, radiosondes, weather radars, wind profiler radars and spaceborne remote sensing. It is intended for the meteorological (i.e. weather, water and climate) and radiocommunication communities, including governmental institutions, industry as well as the general public.

This analytical report discusses the linkage between climate change and the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, with a specific focus on telecommunications. It considers the special relationship between ICTs and climate change as the context for exploring whether the nature of the relationship ought to include a special role for regulators. Specifically, the paper considers whether the nature of the special position between ICT players and climate change suggests that ICT sector regulators, particularly those in charge of regulating telecommunications service providers (TSPs), should have a more active role in environmental protection and should consider climate change issues when making decisions concerning TSPs.

This technical document analyzes possible means to improve the recognition of the essential role and global importance of Earth observation radiocommunication applications and the knowledge and understanding of administrations regarding the utilization and benefits of these applications. It includes an extensive overview of the use of spectrum by Earth observation radiocommunication applications. It also provides an overview of solar radio monitoring applications and describes the benefits from spectrum use by the radio astronomy and space research.

This analytical report gives an overview of how old and new submarine cables could be used for decades to come as a major resource and a real-time global network to monitor climate change and to provide tsunami warnings. It highlights that  future generations of cables and associated components could have the capacity to directly measure climate variables, such as water temperature, salinity and pressure on the ocean floor. 

This analytical report provides an overview of how Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can be a strategic enabler for smart water management policies and surveys upcoming ICT standards that will enable smart water initiatives. It highlights that technologies such as satellite remote sensing in combination with semantic sensor web and geographical information systems can be used innovatively by water authorities to obtain information in real time about water use, to track and forecast the level of rivers and to identify new sources of fresh water. With the impact of climate change, sole reliance on historical hydrologic weather patterns is no longer a viable forecast for water authorities. Smart metering technologies can also provide individuals, businesses and water companies with information in near real-time about their own water use, thus raising awareness about usage, locating leakages and having better control over water demand.

This analytical report highlights that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can be used in a number of ways to meet the requirements of the three main pillars of the Bali Action Plan arising from COP-13 in December 2007. These are: enhanced action on adaptation, cooperative action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and actions on mitigation of climate change. ICTs can address these and the problems that all countries (particularly developing countries) face with respect to climate change. ICTs can be used to mitigate the impact of other sectors on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to help countries adapt to climate change.

This analytical report provides an overview of the key problems and perspectives toward sustainable production and use of biofuels. It is based on an extensive literature study, taking into account recent major reviews, and considering a wide range of different views from eminent experts worldwide. The focus is on so-called first generation biofuels while considering further lines of development. This focus is due to state-of-the-art and data availability until the end of 2008. Potential benefits and impacts of second and third generation biofuels – preferably referred to as ‘advanced biofuels’ – are partially included. The report focuses on the global situation, recognising regional differences.

This factsheet presents the report “Towards Sustainable Production and Use of Resources: Assessing Biofuels”. This report is the result of extensive literature examination and a thorough review process, involving a number of experts, to provide a robust assessment of key problems of production and use of biomass for energy purposes and options for more efficient and sustainable production and use of biomass. The focus is on so-called first generation biofuels, due to availability of state-of–the art reviews, but also considers further lines of development. It takes a global perspective, recognizing regional and local differences. Also available in Japanese.

This document provides a summary of the report “Towards Sustainable Production and Use of Resources: Assessing Biofuels”. This report intends to provide policy relevant information on the assessment of the environmental and social costs and benefits of biofuels. It provides an overview of the key problems and perspectives towards sustainable production and use of biomass for energy purposes. In particular, the report examines options for more efficient and sustainable production and use of biomass. In the overall context of enhancing resource productivity, it addresses «modern biomass use» for energetic purposes, such as biomass used for (co-)generation of heat and power and liquid biofuels for transport, and relates it to the use of biomass for food and material purposes. Also available in Japanese.

This short story is aimed at sensitizing children to the importance of environment conservation and waste reclining. It is part of the Tunza Environmental Series for Children that seeks to inspire caring for the Earth through creative literature that sparks the interest and awareness of children, their parents and teachers.

This short story is aimed at sensitizing children to the importance of environment conservation in big cities and waste recycling. It is part of the Tunza Environmental Series for Children that seeks to inspire caring for the Earth through creative literature that sparks the interest and awareness of children, their parents and teachers.

This technical document reviews the effectiveness of the environmental measures related to preparations for Expo 2010 and, in general, those that are being undertaken by Shanghai to revamp the overall infrastructure of the city.  Measures and achievements are documented and analyzed and recommendations are made to assist the Shanghai municipal government to strengthen environmental initiatives for and beyond the Expo 2010. The publication highlights several accomplishments including the green transport vision of Shanghai. This plan involves the construction of a world-class rapid transit network and experimenting with new energy-efcient vehicles such as the super capacitor trolleybuses and electric, hydrogen fuel-cell and hybrid buses.

This technical document presents the initial action undertaken by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) immediately following the cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip in January 2009 and summarizes the scientific findings of the complex assessment process carried out there by UNEP at the request of its Governing Council during the spring and early summer of 2009. Concrete recommendations are provided for the remediation of environmental damage caused by the recent escalation of hostilities, as well as for longer-term improvement of the environmental situation in the Gaza Strip. 

This manual is designed to serve as a guide for practitioners engaged in mainstreaming poverty-environment linkages into national development planning. It draws on a substantial body of experience at the country level and many lessons learned by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in working with governments – especially ministries of planning, finance and environment – to support efforts to integrate the complex interrelationship between poverty reduction and improved environmental management into national planning and decision-making.

This technical document aims to analyze the projects implemented by the city of Beijing to incorporate environmental sustainability into the 2008 Olympic Games and fulfill the environmental commitments made during the candidature phase. It considers the programmes and projects developed by the Beijing 2008 Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) and the initiatives of relevant Beijing Municipal Government Departments, Bureaus, Agencies and Commissions within the boundaries of the municipal territory. The study was conducted between February and July 2007, and the analysis includes data and information collected in Beijing between March and May 2007.

This technical document provides a comprehensive assessment of environmental state-and-trends in Africa and the implications of this for human well-being and development. The assessment includes an analysis of policy responses and the opportunities available to policymakers to maximize the benefits offered by the environment. The report also highlights the potential of the region’s natural resource base to support development and sustain human livelihoods.