Issues of Climate Change are topping the agenda in almost every discipline. In the field of ICT, there are multiple aspects to consider. On the downside, NRENs are aware of the contribution of the energy used by ICT equipment impacting negatively on climate and also of the challenge of safely disposing of this equipment at the end of its life cycle.

On the upside of ICT’s potential contribution in addressing climate change issues, there are many opportunities. For example, in Malawi in July, there were consultations involving a group including Professor Kadzamira, Chair of the Alliance and Tiwonge Banda on looking at the role of ICT in mitigating Climate Change. All NRENs should be aware of the power of their (sometimes potential) networks and the opportunity presented in the current top prioritization of Climate change adaptation and mitigation in the research and development agenda.

A UN Climate Change Conference (COP-17) is to be held in Durban, South Africa. Ahead of this, participants at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Symposium on ICTs and Climate Change in Ghana (the 6th in the series) have renewed calls for global leaders to recognise the power of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.