Carbon-rich Nanomaterials from China for a low carbon future

Had a great meeting with a team of professors from the Nanomaterial Research Group at the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China (NCNST) here in Beijing. We discussed the nanotechnology project that I run together with Eric Drexler. We agreed to start cooperating and the first steps include:

1: Help to translate the folder about Nanotech into English (don’t think I have posted the project description, but will try to do this as soon as possible). Look into translating the roadmap Eric developed earlier.

2. Look into a joint seminar discussing ways forward for nanotechnology in China

3. Develop a short folder building on the work NCNTC have done. Preliminary title:” Carbon-rich Nanomaterials for a low carbon and resource efficient society - Delivering tomorrows energy solutions with today’s state of the art technology“

Nanotech is really an area that deserves a lot more attention and the fact that NCNTC already has an integrated approach (thinking about how different nanosolutions can work together) this could be really really really interesting.

I look forward to further work with Zhiyong Tang, Linjie Zhi, Bao-Hang Han and Zhixiang Wei. With people like this saving the planet is no big problem…

Carbon-rich Nanomaterials from China for a low carbon future

Had a great meeting with a team of professors from the Nanomaterial Research Group at the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China (NCNST) here in Beijing. We discussed the nanotechnology project that I run together with Eric Drexler. We agreed to start cooperating and the first steps include:

1: Help to translate the folder about Nanotech into English (don’t think I have posted the project description, but will try to do this as soon as possible). Look into translating the roadmap Eric developed earlier.

2. Look into a joint seminar discussing ways forward for nanotechnology in China

3. Develop a short folder building on the work NCNTC have done. Preliminary title:” Carbon-rich Nanomaterials for a low carbon and resource efficient society - Delivering tomorrows energy solutions with today’s state of the art technology“

Nanotech is really an area that deserves a lot more attention and the fact that NCNTC already has an integrated approach (thinking about how different nanosolutions can work together) this could be really really really interesting.

I look forward to further work with Zhiyong Tang, Linjie Zhi, Bao-Hang Han and Zhixiang Wei. With people like this saving the planet is no big problem…

New paper from HP Offers Solutions Contributing to 1 Billion Tonnes of CO2 Emissions Reductions

Post no.3 the 19th of June. I must admit that I think it is one of the most exciting and important posts in a a long time. This is the first time (as far as I know) a major IT company not only talk about the potential and/or ask consultants to calculate the potential (both are important), but actually becomes concrete and help customer to understand what that could translate to in concrete action. I look forward to follow this up.

The report can be downloaded here

HP offers the first low carbon IT solutions guide for customers

PALO ALTO, Calif., June 19, 2008

HP published a guide that identifies the potential to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by using existing HP solutions.

HP's white paper, titled "Low Carbon IT Solutions," further supports the company-wide HP Eco Solutions program.

Beyond documenting the efficiency of information technology (IT) solutions, the white paper helps customers identify those products and services that can help them transition to operate with a lower carbon footprint.

"HP is committed to developing products and services that provide our customers with the opportunity for smarter growth," said Pierre Delforge, manager, Energy and Climate Strategy, HP. "HP has identified eco solutions that provide countries, businesses and individuals with the tools to significantly reduce their climate impact."

HP's white paper builds upon the report developed by Dennis Pamlin, global policy advisor, WWF-Sweden, called "The potential global CO2 reductions from ICT use: Identifying and assessing the opportunities to reduce the first billion tonnes of CO2." The report identifies 10 existing IT solutions that reduce CO2 emissions in areas including buildings, transportation networks and industrial production. With additional data and further analysis, particularly in the emerging economies, the ultimate potential of information and communication technologies (ICT) for curbing emissions can be further quantified.

Solutions described in HP's white paper include:

• HP research into smart cooling and its use in the design of data center facilities that reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions from commercial premises.

• HP innovation in telepresence and videoconferencing that enable improved virtual collaboration to reduce the environmental impacts of international travel. HP's use of this technology is expected to save approximately 20,000 international trips and at least 32,000 tonnes per year of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), an internationally recognized measure of greenhouse emissions.

• HP mobile computing technology, including flat panel displays and notebook PCs, which increases workplace flexibility to reduce energy consumption from non-critical travel.

• HP office and digital print solutions that help customers establish on-demand print and workflow processes that help avoid unnecessary printing and transportation of physical materials.

The "Low Carbon IT Solutions" white paper from HP is available at http://h41111.www4.hp.com/globalcitizenship/uk/en/pdf/1billiontonnessolutionsfinal.pdf.

"This guide to low carbon IT solutions by one of the world's largest technology companies is welcomed and an important contribution in response to the urgent climate challenge," said Dennis Pamlin, global policy advisor, WWF-Sweden.

More information on the report,"The potential global CO2 reductions from ICT use: Identifying and assessing the opportunities to reduce the first billion tonnes of CO2," is available at www.wwf.se/source.php?id=1183710. The executive summary is available at www.wwf.se/source.php?id=1183711. The report is the first in a series of three, which will be released this fall.

New paper from HP Offers Solutions Contributing to 1 Billion Tonnes of CO2 Emissions Reductions

Post no.3 the 19th of June. I must admit that I think it is one of the most exciting and important posts in a a long time. This is the first time (as far as I know) a major IT company not only talk about the potential and/or ask consultants to calculate the potential (both are important), but actually becomes concrete and help customer to understand what that could translate to in concrete action. I look forward to follow this up.

The report can be downloaded here

The press release
HP offers the first low carbon IT solutions guide for customers

PALO ALTO, Calif., June 19, 2008

HP published a guide that identifies the potential to reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by using existing HP solutions.

HP's white paper, titled "Low Carbon IT Solutions," further supports the company-wide HP Eco Solutions program.

Beyond documenting the efficiency of information technology (IT) solutions, the white paper helps customers identify those products and services that can help them transition to operate with a lower carbon footprint.

"HP is committed to developing products and services that provide our customers with the opportunity for smarter growth," said Pierre Delforge, manager, Energy and Climate Strategy, HP. "HP has identified eco solutions that provide countries, businesses and individuals with the tools to significantly reduce their climate impact."

HP's white paper builds upon the report developed by Dennis Pamlin, global policy advisor, WWF-Sweden, called "The potential global CO₂ reductions from ICT use: Identifying and assessing the opportunities to reduce the first billion tonnes of CO₂." The report identifies 10 existing IT solutions that reduce CO₂ emissions in areas including buildings, transportation networks and industrial production. With additional data and further analysis, particularly in the emerging economies, the ultimate potential of information and communication technologies (ICT) for curbing emissions can be further quantified.

Solutions described in HP's white paper include:

• HP research into smart cooling and its use in the design of data center facilities that reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions from commercial premises.
• HP innovation in telepresence and videoconferencing that enable improved virtual collaboration to reduce the environmental impacts of international travel. HP's use of this technology is expected to save approximately 20,000 international trips and at least 32,000 tonnes per year of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e), an internationally recognized measure of greenhouse emissions.
• HP mobile computing technology, including flat panel displays and notebook PCs, which increases workplace flexibility to reduce energy consumption from non-critical travel.
• HP office and digital print solutions that help customers establish on-demand print and workflow processes that help avoid unnecessary printing and transportation of physical materials.

The "Low Carbon IT Solutions" white paper from HP is available at http://h41111.www4.hp.com/globalcitizenship/uk/en/pdf/1billiontonnessolutionsfinal.pdf.

"This guide to low carbon IT solutions by one of the world's largest technology companies is welcomed and an important contribution in response to the urgent climate challenge," said Dennis Pamlin, global policy advisor, WWF-Sweden.

More information on the report,"The potential global CO₂ reductions from ICT use: Identifying and assessing the opportunities to reduce the first billion tonnes of CO₂," is available at www.wwf.se/source.php?id=1183710. The executive summary is available at www.wwf.se/source.php?id=1183711. The report is the first in a series of three, which will be released this fall.

New report from GeSI and Climate Group: SMART 2020: enabling the low carbon economy in the information age

Post no.2 the 19th of June

Another good contribution to the low carbon IT discussion came out today. GeSI and The Climate Group have now released the study done by McKinsey. It is quite similar to the one we and ECOFYS did with the support from HP (see www.panda.org/ict). McKinsey focus on four case studies and use their earlier abatement work (that is a slight problem as that model is not really done for areas with innovation).

For the first incremental changes there are however not much difference between the different studies that exist and the numbers in this report support earlier studies. The lack of work in the emerging economies (that we highlighted in our report) is becoming almost embarrassing and I really hope to get some work done with China Mobile, Wipro and other leading companies in China and India. Great with the two case studies from China and India in this report, really hope that we can get a really serious study done soon that covers China and India in depth. The report also includes a good about IT's own footprint, even if I think they have underestimated the saving potential and technology changes we will see (maybe it would be good to do a study about this?). What I think is the weak part (if used in the wrong way) is that it lacks is a concrete way forward that is not only about the low hanging fruits, as that can lead to high carbon lock-in. I hope that WWFs work, together with GeSI, Climate Group and others, can help people to focus more on the transformative aspects regarding real investments. Linear models are good for inspiration, but they should not be used to guide investments. Our work with Booz Allen Hamilton might contribute here.

The report can be downloaded here.

The Press release
Smarter technology use could reduce global emissions by 15 per cent and save global industry EUR 500 billion in annual energy costs by 2020

Friday 20 June 2008 – Transformation in the way people and businesses use technology could reduce annual man-made global emissions by 15 per cent by 2020 and deliver energy efficiency savings to global businesses of over EUR 500 billion [GBP 400 billion/USD 800 billion], according to a new report published today by independent non-profit The °Climate Group and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI).

The report – SMART 2020: enabling the low carbon economy in the information age – is the world’s first comprehensive global study of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector’s growing significance for the world’s climate. The report’s supporting analysis, conducted independently by international management consultants McKinsey & Company, shows that while ICT’s own sector footprint - currently two per cent of global emissions - will almost double by 2020, ICT’s unique ability to monitor and maximise energy efficiency both within and outside of its own sector could cut CO₂ emissions by up to five times this amount. This represents a saving of 7.8 Giga-tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO₂e) by 2020 – greater than the current annual emissions of either the US or China.

Although tele-working, video-conferencing, e-paper, and e-commerce are increasingly commonplace, the report notes that replacing physical products and services with their virtual equivalents (dematerialisation and substitution) is only one part (six per cent) of the estimated low carbon benefits the ICT sector can deliver.

Far greater opportunities for emissions savings exist in applying ICT to global infrastructure and industry and the report examines four major opportunities where ICT can make further transformational cuts in global emissions. These exist globally within smart building design and use, smart logistics, smart electricity grids, and smart industrial motor systems.