Ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP-17) in Durban, South Africa, in November, world leaders are urged to recognize the power of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in limiting the effects of climate change.

Attendees at a symposium in Accrs, Ghana (July 7-8) organized by the Geneva-based International Telecommunications Union (ITU) said the potential of ICTs to cut emissions in all sectors must be a central focus at the Durban conference, especially in monitoring deforestation, crop patterns and other environmental changes.

An ITU conference document called for the adoption of a ‘closed loop’ approach to manufacturing and recycling which will reduce the need to extract and process raw materials.

“Today a world without ICTs is unthinkable,” said ITU Director Malcolm Johnson, adding that “the success of technology means it is itself a growing contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.” Nevertheless, he said that ICTs offer the best opportunity for reducing the contributions of high emissions from industries like energy, waste disposal, building and transport.

The ITU is already developing a methodology for measuring the carbon footprint of ICT equipment, which it hopes will serve as an accurate global benchmark.

During the Ghana symposium the ITU also launched a project to examine how ICTs can be used to help Ghana adapt to the effects of climate change.

The ITU is the specialized agency of the United Nations which is responsible for information and communication technologies.