Telstra sees opportunities from global warming

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 20 November 2007 10:10

IT Industry - Deals

Telstra has plunged into the climate debate big time, releasing a commissioned report into the potential of telecommunications to reduce travel and hence greenhouse gasses, to control power-consuming devices and other applications. The report was prepared by independent climate change experts, Climate Risk Pty Ltd, and peer reviewed by WWF Australia's CEO Greg Bourne, and by Australian energy, climate change and environmental experts, including Dr Hugh Saddler. It concluded that telecommunications could help reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions by almost five percent by 2015 and deliver up to $6.6 billion a year in cost savings for Australian businesses and households.

Releasing the report in Sydney, Telstra CEO, Sol Trujillo, said: "As the report research unfolded, I was literally floored by the findings. By using telecommunications networks there are opportunities to reduce and avoid Australia's carbon emissions by an amount and at a pace that meets the Kyoto Protocol target and is in keeping with the findings of the IPCC and[the UK Government's] Stern Review."

He added: "What is exciting about today's report is that it provides tangible ways to conserve energy, conserve resources and reduce expenditure. Using the opportunities identified in this report reduces carbon emissions without financially penalising the consumer - making greenhouse gas reduction and commercial imperatives work together rather than be mutually exclusive, in effect a win-win- good for business and good for the environment and good for us as individuals."

Seven ways to save
The report identifies seven major opportunities for Australian consumers and businesses to reduce or avoid the release of carbon emissions into the atmosphere: 1.8 million tonnes (Mt) by using broadband to remotely manage power for appliances not in use or on 'stand-by'; 2.4Mt by improving business productivity with 'in-person' high-definition videoconferencing; 2.9Mt with broadband based, real-time freight allocation systems to fill empty freight vehicles; 3.0Mt with presence-detecting services that turn off devices that are 'on' but not being used; 3.1Mt with teleworking and working in regional centres by reducing commuter car traffic; 3.9Mt by bringing integrated personalised public transport to the door with a phone call; and 10.1Mt by increasing renewable energy use with networked demand-side management.