How technology and smart cities can help us overcome climate change

The document advocates for the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to transition to a low-carbon economy, highlighting that ICT could enable a 15% reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. It emphasizes the role of smart grids, smart meters, and intelligent transport in improving energy efficiency and integrating renewable energy. The author calls for public-private partnerships and leadership to achieve the goals of the COP21 climate agreement.

• Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has the potential to significantly reduce global emissions, with the Ericsson Mobility Report estimating a possible 15% reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, a volume exceeding the combined carbon footprints of the United States and the European Union.
• Smart energy technologies can address the fact that approximately 70% of electricity is wasted before reaching consumers. Smart grids and meters can improve energy efficiency, reduce peak demand, and facilitate the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
• ICT-led transformation in travel and transport can lead to decarbonisation through better route optimisation, increased fuel efficiency, and the adoption of electric vehicles.
• The author supports several initiatives to ensure the success of the COP21 agreement, including the World Economic Forum’s CEO Climate Leaders Statement, the Paris Action Pledge, the Earth Statement, and the Swedish governmental initiative "Fossil free Sweden".

APA

Vestberg, H. (2015). How technology and smart cities can help us overcome climate change. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/emerging-technologies/how-technology-and-smart-cities-can-help-us-overcome-climate-change/

Chicago

Vestberg, Hans. How technology and smart cities can help us overcome climate change. World Economic Forum, 2015. https://www.weforum.org/stories/emerging-technologies/how-technology-and-smart-cities-can-help-us-overcome-climate-change/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Vestberg |first1=Hans |title=How technology and smart cities can help us overcome climate change |publisher=World Economic Forum |date=2 December 2015 |url=https://www.weforum.org/stories/emerging-technologies/how-technology-and-smart-cities-can-help-us-overcome-climate-change/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{vestberg2015how, author = {Vestberg, Hans}, title = {{How technology and smart cities can help us overcome climate change}}, publisher = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2015}, month = dec, url = {https://www.weforum.org/stories/emerging-technologies/how-technology-and-smart-cities-can-help-us-overcome-climate-change/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }