Is the ICT industry ready to go green?

As the world confronts the escalating threat of climate change, a clearer understanding of various sectors' contributions to global carbon emissions is imperative.

Among these sectors, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry stands out, not just for its significant role in global connectivity, but also for its substantial yet often overlooked share of emissions. According to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the ICT sector contributes between 1.7 per cent and 4.0 per cent of global carbon emissions, a figure that emphasizes its central role in the climate debate.

However, the sector’s environmental impact presents a paradox. While its carbon footprint is considerable, ICT companies are also some of the largest consumers of renewable energy. In 2021, around 60 per cent of all renewable power purchases were made by the ICT industry. Moreover, in 2022, six of the top ten corporate purchasers of renewable energy were tech firms. The rise of the digital economy, spurred by increasing global connectivity, is undoubtedly driving up energy consumption, yet the sector’s heavy reliance on renewable energy highlights its potential to spearhead climate solutions.

The growing digital footprint, however, comes with its challenges. The number of internet users globally increased by 17 per cent between 2020 and 2023, while broadband subscriptions rose by 14 per cent in the same period. Connected data centres, a crucial component of the digital infrastructure, surged by 72 per cent between 2018 and 2022. The demand for smartphones, tablets, and computers has resulted in user devices accounting for 40 per cent of the sector's carbon emissions. Data centres contribute 23 per cent, while fixed and mobile telecommunications networks are responsible for another 24 per cent. This rapid expansion of digital infrastructure is contributing to an increase in emissions, a trend that needs to be urgently addressed.

In terms of regional disparities, the Asia-Pacific region emerges as a significant player. It leads the world in greenhouse gas emissions from telecommunications operators, with China alone contributing nearly half of these emissions. The reason is twofold: the region’s high demand for mobile and broadband services, and it's heavy reliance on fossil-fuel-based electricity. For developing nations in Asia, this presents a challenge – balancing the need for rapid digital expansion with the responsibility to reduce carbon emissions.

Pakistan’s ICT sector is similarly positioned at the intersection of growth and environmental responsibility. Although comprehensive data on the country’s ICT emissions is scarce, it is clear that the sector is growing rapidly. The reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation suggests the sector’s emissions are substantial. However, Pakistan has begun to take steps toward mitigating the environmental impact of its telecommunications industry.

One notable initiative is the Energy Storage as a Service (ESaaS) project, a collaboration between the Brillanz Group, Telenor Pakistan, and the Ministry of Climate Change. The project aims to reduce emissions by 58.3 kilotonnes, a reduction comparable to planting two million trees. Similarly, EDOTCO Pakistan’s Green Tower Initiative, which uses solar power to operate telecom towers, represents a sustainable approach to reducing the sector’s carbon footprint.

Such initiatives highlight the potential for ICT companies to lead on sustainability. However, scaling these efforts will require financial support. Pakistan must establish dedicated climate funds to help companies adopt green technologies, offsetting the high upfront costs of sustainability projects. Climate funds could enable businesses to make environmentally responsible investments without sacrificing financial viability, providing the financial foundation needed to expand green initiatives in the ICT sector.

Despite these promising efforts, the ICT sector's emissions are conspicuously absent from Pakistan’s broader climate policies. The country's National Climate Change Policy and its submissions to the United Nations’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) outline various strategies for climate adaptation and mitigation, but they fail to address the emissions produced by the ICT sector.

Considering that the sector is responsible for up to 4.0 per cent of global carbon emissions, its exclusion from national climate plans represents a significant oversight. Pakistan needs to integrate ICT emissions into its climate strategies to align with global efforts and ensure comprehensive environmental action.

On a policy level, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications (MoIT&T) has made strides in recognizing the importance of digital transformation. The newly drafted Digital Pakistan Policy 2024 aims to harness emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and 5G networks to foster economic growth and improve public services.

While this is a step forward, environmental sustainability must be embedded within this policy framework. By promoting the adoption of green technologies, Pakistan can simultaneously accelerate digital progress and reduce the environmental impact of the ICT sector.

The ICT industry is already embracing several green initiatives, from energy-efficient data centres to the deployment of solar and wind power infrastructure. Moving towards paperless operations and improving e-waste management are also steps in the right direction. However, the success of these efforts depends on scaling them across the industry and ensuring they are backed by robust policy measures.

Gender disparity presents an additional challenge in the ICT sector’s green transition. Globally, women are underrepresented in the sector, with a 19 per cent gap in participation. In Pakistan, the digital gender divide is stark, with only 26 per cent of women having internet access compared to 47 per cent of men. Closing this gap is not only an issue of equity but also critical for ensuring that the full potential of the ICT workforce is harnessed to address the sector’s sustainability challenges. By promoting digital skills training that includes a focus on green technologies, Pakistan can both empower women and equip the workforce with the tools needed to tackle climate change.

Looking ahead, the global push for digital climate action is gaining momentum. At COP28, the ITU, alongside over 40 international partners, launched the Green Digital Action initiative, highlighting the vital role of digital solutions in combating climate change. The upcoming COP29, which will include the first-ever Digitization Day, will further emphasize the integration of digital technologies into climate strategies.

As Pakistan prepares for its role in COP29, policymakers, ICT companies, and environmental stakeholders must work together to incorporate digital solutions into the country’s climate strategies. The potential for digital transformation to drive sustainability is immense, but it will require coordinated action, investment, and policy support to realize this potential.

The path forward for Pakistan’s ICT sector is clear. It must embrace green technologies, strengthen public-private partnerships, and ensure that the sector’s emissions are included in national climate strategies. The sector’s rapid growth represents both a challenge and an opportunity. With the right policies and investments, Pakistan can leverage its digital transformation to not only connect its population but also contribute meaningfully to global efforts to combat climate change.

The writer is a researcher at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Islamabad.

She can be reached at:

Sadiasatti@sdpi.org