The ICT sector, climate and the environment : Interim report of the working group preparing a climate and environmental strategy for the ICT sector in Finland

The Ministry of Transport and Communications appointed a working group to develop a climate and environmental strategy for the ICT sector for the period from 1 November 2019 to 30 November 2020. The aim is to form a common view on the climate and environmental impacts of the ICT sector and recommend measures to control them. This interim report of the working group compiles information about the ICT sector's environmental impacts and creates a situational picture on which further discussions on needed measures can be based. The report examines the ICT sector's twofold role in climate and environmental issues. The ICT sector needs infrastructure that consumes energy and materials and causes emissions. The amount of data continues to grow considerably due to new technologies and applications, which presents a challenge for developing energy-efficient solutions. In addition, ICT terminals process large material streams and the amount of electronic waste increases rapidly. The ICT sector can play a significant role in making society more climate-friendly and environmentally friendly. In addition to enabling reductions in emissions, ICT supports adjustment to climate change and environmental and climate research. It is difficult to assess and compare the climate and environmental impacts of the ICT sector due to the lack of uniform and systematic ways to report on energy consumption and emissions in the sector, or emissions reductions in other sectors