The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is set to highlight the benefits of green IT at the United Nations' (UN's) upcoming climate change conference.

Attendees at the South Africa-based event will be urged to recognise the role green IT could play in adapting to the effects of climate change and making businesses more eco-friendly places.

"It is now clear to most observers that ICTs have a very important role to play here," said ITU secretary general Dr Hamadoun Tourév.

"Recognition of this at the international level will provide countries with a solid argument to roll out climate change strategies with a strong ICT element."

Malcolm Johnson, director of ITU's Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, added that ICT may be a contributor to carbon emissions but also probably offers one of the greatest opportunities to reduce greenhouse emission.

"This is a message we must carry to COP17," he added.
The ITU launched a project which will study ICT and climate change during the ITU Symposium on ICTs and Climate Change in Ghana this week.

Among other things, it will highlight the role IT can play in environmental phenomena such as monitoring deforestation.
The UN Climate Change Conference will take place in Durban, South Africa this November.

Posted by Alex Boardman