The ICT Sector and the Global Connectivity System: A sustainable development overview

This document introduces a preliminary effort by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) to define the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) sector and its relationship to sustainable development, noting that the sector's complexity and lack of clear definition have hindered the identification of synergies between ICTs, Internet infrastructure management, and sustainable development goals.

• The IISD identified a lack of clarity and definition regarding what constitutes the 'Internet sector' and the 'information and communications technologies [ICT] sector,' which has made it difficult to determine which actors are positioned to create synergies between ICTs, Internet infrastructure and content management, and sustainable development.
• The ICT sector is described as potentially more complex than other sectors previously engaged with by the sustainable development community, such as agriculture, health, the energy sector, and extractive industries, as it encompasses a broad group of actors involved in software, hardware, communications infrastructure, policies, standards, content, networking, and collaboration.
• Participation in sustainable development initiatives varies by ICT sub-sector: the World Business Council for Sustainable Development has seen a shift away from traditional software and hardware manufacturers toward the telecommunications sector. Meanwhile, the Global E-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) allows membership for equipment suppliers and providers of point-to-point transmission services for voice, data, or moving images, but does not necessarily include those providing content, applications, or managing infrastructure through protocols and standards.

APA

Creech,, T. V. (2009). The ICT Sector and the Global Connectivity System: A sustainable development overview. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/ict-sector-and-global-connectivity-system-sustainable-development-overview

Chicago

Creech,, Tony Vetter,Heather. The ICT Sector and the Global Connectivity System: A sustainable development overview. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2009. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/ict-sector-and-global-connectivity-system-sustainable-development-overview.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Creech, |first1=Tony Vetter,Heather |title=The ICT Sector and the Global Connectivity System: A sustainable development overview |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=21 January 2009 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/ict-sector-and-global-connectivity-system-sustainable-development-overview |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{creech2009ict, author = {Creech,, Tony Vetter,Heather}, title = {{The ICT Sector and the Global Connectivity System: A sustainable development overview}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2009}, month = jan, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/ict-sector-and-global-connectivity-system-sustainable-development-overview}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }