Cotonou, Benin, 19 July 2012

Towards Concerted African Efforts in ICT and Climate Change

(Snapshots From ITU- T Q23/5, Egypt and Ghana)

Nevine TewfikDirector, Research, Policies and

Strategic PlanningMCIT- Egypt

ntewfik@mcit.gov.eg

ITU Workshop on “Tackling Climate Change and Specific Absorption

Rate (SAR) Measurement”(Cotonou, Benin, 19 July 2012)

Some Facts About Africa and Climate Change

According to the ITU and Gesi report on Using ICTs to tackle Climate Change: There will be a predicted rise in average temperature of 1.1-6.4°C6 during the 21st century7. The results will be uneven in their distribution, with low-lying coastal areas at risk because of rising sea levels and sub- Saharan Africa at risk due to desertification… a growing number of refugees and increased pressure on water sources and vulnerable ecosystems. By 2020, up to a quarter of a billion Africans will experience increased water stress, and crop yields in some African countries are expected to drop…

Cotonou, Benin, 19 July 2012

Some countries provided more than one answer (e.g. Belgium=2, People’s Republic of China=2, Finland=3, Greece=7, Japan=3, Spain=2, Russian Federation=2, United Kingdom=2)Entries received from Ministries, Regulatory Authorities, Sector Members and Associates

3

SG5- Q23The ITU Survey on ICT and Climate

Change- 2011

2011 survey questionsQ1 Does your government (or company) have a policy regarding climate change? Q2 Does your government (or company) have any ongoing actions in terms of adaptation to

climate change?

Q3 Have you estimated the global ICT footprint in your country in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions?

Q4 Are you aware of any “green” ICT initiatives which could provide better design and energy consumption?

Q5 Are you aware of the so-called rebound effect that would offset the beneficial aspects of green ICT or any ICT consuming less energy?

Q6 What severe weather conditions are typical in your rural/remote regions?

Q7 Is your administration using any systems and applications of ICT to adapt to climate change?

Q8 What ICT services would enable communities to better adapt to climate change?Q9 What specific technologies or standards for ICT equipment are used by your

administration to gather data to monitor climate change?Q10 What technologies and/or standards could enhance the gathering of

data/information about climate change for your administration?

Main Issues Considered by The Survey

Q11 What ICTs and standards are used by your administration to disseminate information about climate change to those who need it (e.g. in broadcast, satellite systems)?

Q12 What technologies and/or standards could enhance the dissemination of information about climate change to those who need it?

Q13 Access to information is important for communities needing to adapt to climate change. What are the challenges to deploying telecommunication infrastructure in rural/remote areas in your region?

Q14 What primary and backup energy sources are available in your rural/remote areas?

Q15 What types of telecom/mobile systems are needed to allow enhanced access to information concerning climate change or extreme weather events in rural/ remote regions?

Q16 What are the educational opportunities in rural/remote regions to train individuals in the use of ICTs for adaptation to climate change?

Q17 Some systems are specifically developed for developing countries most of them have some features that are not essential enough to justify their cost and/or lack the required specification to meet the existing conditions in developing countries.What are the specifications and features that are essential in rural/remote regions in your country?

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Q9 What specific technologies or standards for ICT equipment are used by your administration to gather data to monitor climate change?

Type of technology

Mentioned by number of

entitiesSatellite systems: 32

Airborne systems: 11

Terrestrial systems (mobile and fixed):

41

Subsea systems: 11

Others: 8

7

Q10 What technologies and/or standards could enhance the gathering of data/information about climate change for your administration?

8

Q11 What ICTs and standards are used by your administration to disseminate information about climate change to those who need it (e.g. in broadcast, satellite systems)?

Type of technology or standard Noted by # of entities

Terrestrial systems (public fixed):

33

Terrestrial systems (public cellular):

33

Terrestrial systems (private networks/ private mobile radio):

24

Interactive voice: 14

Others: 16

November 2011 9

Q12 What technologies and/or standards could enhance the dissemination of information about climate change to those who need it?

November 2011 10

Q13 What are the challenges to deploying telecommunication infrastructure in rural/remote areas in your region?

*Number of entities that mentioned these types of challenges.

November 2011

Revised Tasks of Q23/5 ICT and Adaptation

Produce a Recommendation on: Best practices for countries to use ICT in adapting to the effects of climate change

Produce a Recommendation on: Adapting the ICT sector and infrastructure to the impacts of climate change

Develop an ICT and Climate Change Adaptation portal based on the recommendation that would include best practices on ICT and Climate Change.

Cotonou, Benin, 19 July 2012

Egypt’s Green ICT Strategic Initiative within the new ICT Sector Strategy

2012- 2017

Copyright© 2012 MCITMarch 2012 14

Community Development

Education

Health

Poverty Reduction

Women & child

Democracy & Governance

Infrastructure & Policies

Infrastructure & IT Parks

Regulatory Environment

Network Security

Business Development

ICT Business Partnership

ICT Entrepreneurship

Market Research & Business Indicators

Nile Corridor for Communications & Information technologyNC4CIT

1st Largest

Regional Technolog

yPark

In Process: e-waste Academy with Step Initiative… Water

Management Workshop with ITU… Local Portal

Committed to Connecting the World

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ITU Project in Ghana

“Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation

and ICTs: The Case of Ghana”

Committed to Connecting the World

Impacts of Climate Change in Ghana

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Evidence of climate change abound in Ghana. Temperature has increased by 0.6 - 0.8 °C since 1960. According to projections of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), by 2080 the rainfall will reduce by 20% to 40% while the temperature will rise by 4.5 C.

All these conditions will not be suitable for the growing of cocoa anywhere in the country.

The rainfall pattern is affecting maize production. By 2020 it is projected that there will be a 7% decline in production.

“Africa's contribution to greenhouse gases is low; however the continent is

suffering the most in terms of the effects of climate

change.

Cocoa for instance could become a rare crop in the next 15 years if something is not done to reverse the effects of climate change.”

H.E. John Dramani Mahama, Vice

President, Ghana

Committed to Connecting the World

ICT and CC Adaptation at Different Levels: The Case of Ghana

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ICTsGhana’s

Climate Change Adaptation

INTERNATIONAL Level

NATIONAL Level

SECTORAL & COMMUNITY

Level

• Informed Decision Making• Stakeholder Engagement• Adaptation Delivery• Feedback & Learning• Institutional Capacity

Building

Key Stages of the Adaptation Process:

• Food Security• Water Supply• Health• Infrastructure

Examples related to:

• Role within International CC Negotiations and Actions

ICTs & CC Adaptation

Conclusions and RecommendationsMore input is needed from African countries to produce a relevant recommendation on best practices on ICT and adaptation as well as adaptation of the ICT sector.

Next Meeting of Working Party 3/5 (8-12 October, Geneva)Feedback needed on Roadmap for an Adaptation web site to cater effectively to the needs of the continent.Conducting the survey next year, as well as on a regular basis (once a year).Invite African countries to hold Adaptation Workshops in 2013 together with ITU.

Cotonou, Benin, 19 July 2012

Conclusions and RecommendationsConsider the revision of resolution 73- Information and Communication Technologies and Climate Change adopted at the WORLD TELECOMMUNICATION STANDARDIZATION ASSEMBLY in Johannesburg, 21-30 October 2008 at the next WTSA meeting in November 2012 for a more relevant and updated text.

Use the Montreal Declaration issued by The 7th ITU symposium as a possible reference, as well as recent documents enjoying consensus. http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/worksem/climatechange/201205/index.html

Cotonou, Benin, 19 July 2012

Thank You

More information on ITU-T Activities on ICT and CC

www.itu.int/itu-t/climatechange

Cotonou, Benin, 19 July 2012