How much can IT change the climate equation?
IDC has developed a new research index and data series focused on the ability of the G20 nations to use information and communications technology to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Overall, the research firm figures that IT could influence the reduction of 5.8 billion tons of emissions by 2020. Its index ranks the G20 on their ability to act on this. There are 17 different sorts of technologies consider, although IDC concludes that energy management and intelligent building technologies carry the biggest opportunity in potential energy savings.
The (perhaps) surprise leader in IDC's index is Japan, which the research cites as the only "top-tier country" after its research. That means Japan has the highest potential for reducing emissions through the use of technology. Actually, that sort of makes sense considering its population density and legacy in technology. The United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Brazil were also considered as part of "tier two." Here are Japan's top technology-related sources for reduction potential:
- Transportation, especially supply chain and logistics optimization
- Intelligent building design
- Renewable energy management systems