Role of Standardisation in tackling the issues of climate change using ICTs in Africa

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 15-16 (am) July 2013

Role of Standardisation in tackling the issues of climate change using ICTs in

Africa

Peter Ulanga, Universal Communications Service

Access Fund of Tanzania [email protected]

ITU Workshop on “Building a Sustainable Future Through Green ICT

Standards”

(Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 15-16 (am) July 2013)


Questions

How can we use ICTs to tackle issues related to climate change in Africa ?

How can ICT standards be used to address Climate change adaptation?How resilient is the ICT infrastructure itself to survive effects of climate change What can be done to address the sub-questions of using ICTs to adapt to climate change and adapting ICT

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Introduction

1. Realities of Climate Change2. Different faces of Climate change in

different environment 3. Role of ICTs in improving lives 4. Climate change Mitigation vs

Adaptation5. ICT Infrastructure and Adaptation6. Concluding Remarks

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1. Realities of Climate Change

Without dispute our Climate is changing the most noticeable effects are: Increase in temperature of the Earth’s

surfaceMore unpredictable Weather patterns Changes of seasons (macro and micro

level changes)

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Example: Increase in Global Temperature

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Raising sea level (2m)

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Northen Pemba Island (Tanzania)

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Different faces of Climate Change

Climate change affects different geographical areas differentlyCoastal areas Semi-arid regionsHighlands Islands (etc)

Even when the causes are similar the effects would depend on geography

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Role of ICTs in realising Sustainable Future

The role of ICTs in realising sustainable future cannot be over estimatedICTs have revolutionised our world in more ways than any other single technological innovation since the invention of the wheel!ICTs have transformed our society to be an information society living in a global village

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Sustainable future (cont)

It is without doubt proper use of ICTs would ensure sustainable future of human populationChallenges caused by climate change threaten the future of human population on earth and future of life on earth!Proper approach to climate change through mitigation and adaptation will ensure life on Earth

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Climate Change Mitigation vs Adaptation

ICTs can play a role in both cases

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Adaptation MitigationMitigation


ICT Infrastructure and Adaptation(typical issues in Tanzania)

Adaptation by ICT infrastructureRaising sea levels (submarine cable landing stations), transmission towers and BTSs in low areas need to be movedReduce power requirements due to unreliable power caused by drier climate affecting hydro-power stationHotter climates higher cooling costs hence moving towards tropicalised BTSsStronger towers for stronger winds


Adaptation by other industries using ICTs

Water resources management using ICTs (Egyptian case)Disaster management using ICTsAgriculture and food security Human health and HabitatCoastal zones and marine ecosystemFew other examples

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Climate Change Adaptation

While approach differ from country to country and on specific geography collective and harmonised approach is the way to go

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Role of standardsClimate change is a global phenomenon with local effectsMonitoring of effects for adaptation should be harmonised to enable to compare like with like from different jurisdictions Examples of climate change adaptation need to be shared to ensure consistent approach in adaptation

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Role of standards(cont)

ICT infrastructure is the most versatile bi-directional communication infrastructure which can be enhanced to enable data collection for climate change monitoring. Standards will ensure consistent approach in using ICT infrastructure for data collection and monitoring

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Example : GSM coverage in Tanzania

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Value of standardisation Standards cross borders and provide consistent and harmonious way of using ICTs for monitoring effects of CC and hence provide potential for consistent approach towards adaptation

Standards for monitoring

Standards for adaptation

Standards for mitigation Standards for information dissemination and reporting

Standards for deployment

Standards for equipment suppliers

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L.Infrastructure and Adaptation

…..This draft rec. specifies best practices for Adapting ICT equipment and using ICTs to adapt other sectors to the effects of Climate Change. The Recommendation provides a set of guidelines, rules, and best practices to be referred to when planning, designing or constructing new strategies, policies, and projects on using ICT to adapt to Climate Change effects…..

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Conclusions and Recommendations

ICTs can play a pivotal role in CC adaptationNational, Regional and International coordination is extremely importantStandards can fill the harmonisation gap

Member states contribute to the development of the recommendation L.infra & adaptation and other recommendations

Case studies

Issues/challenges

Requirements to be put on portal

Use the resources available to harmonise approaches to CC adaptation

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Documents

Role of Standardisation in tackling the issues of climate change using ICTs in Africa