Title: Global Information Society Watch 2010: Focus on ICTs and environmental sustainability
Author Editor:
Pages: 234 pp.
ISBN: 92-95049-96-9
Publisher:Association for Progressive Communications (APC) and Humanist Institute for Cooperation with Developing Countries (Hivos)
Date (published):December 2010
Date (accessed):17/01/2011
Type of information:report
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf - 5,7 MB)
Abstract:
"covers ICTs and environmental sustainability in 53 countries, six regions and ten expert thematic reports. This fourth edition questions the assumption that information and communications technologies (ICTs) will automatically be a panacea for climate change while also looking at the potential of ICTs to mitigate and adapt to climate change, as are the roles of international institutions, the global research agenda on ICTs and climate change and “sustainability” as an evolving concept.

As with all editions, GISWatch does not take a reflect a single point of view. Instead there are counterpoints, arguments and implicit or explicit disagreements that show a vibrant and critical arena that has started to receive attention in recent years.

GISWatch 2010 makes an important contribution to both the environmental and the ICT movement as the voice of global civil society – and is aimed at both beginners and experts in the field of ICTs and climate change, e-waste and the use of ICTs for environmental good generally."

Title: ‘Clean, Green and Mobile; Making Technology Work for the Poor’
Source: www.infodev.org
Publisher: The World Bank
Date (published): 11/06/2010
Date (accessed): 13/06/2010
Type of information: blog post
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
infoDev held its Annual Symposium this week, on 9 June, 2010 in Washington DC. An invited audience of stakeholders from leading experts and practitioners in information and innovation for development, donor agencies, partner organizations, foundations, and World Bank and IFC colleagues attended the event themed ‘Clean, Green and Mobile; Making Technology Work for the Poor’.

Title: Global Information Technology Report 2009–2010: ICT for Sustainability
Authors: Soumitra Dutta, Irene Mia
Pages: 436 pp.
ISBN: 978-92-95044-81-4
Publisher: World Economic Forum and INSEAD
Date (published): 02/03/2010
Date (accessed): 21/05/2010
Type of information: ressearch report
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf, 25 MB!)
Abstract:
The Report is the ninth of a series and is the result of a well-established partnership between the World Economic Forum (the Forum) and INSEAD, aimed at advancing the understanding of networked readiness’ key drivers.The Report is composed of four thematic parts. Part 1 features the findings of the Networked Readiness Index (NRI) for 2009–10, together with selected essays examining different topics related to ICT and sustainability in its economic, environmental, and social dimensions. Part 2 provides insight into best practices and policies in networked readiness and competitiveness, focusing on specific country case studies.The countries selected this year are Spain, Ireland,Tunisia, and China, which all have adopted interesting examples of successful ICT strategies to foster national economic growth and development. Part 3 features detailed profiles for the 133 economies covered in this year’s Report, offering a detailed assessment of each economy’s current networked readiness landscape and allowing for international and historical comparisons on specific variables or components of the NRI. Part 4 includes data tables for each of the 68 variables composing the NRI this year, with rankings for the economies covered, as well as technical notes and sources that provide comprehensive information on hard data variables.

Title: The Green Switch: Designing for Sustainability in Mobile Computing
Authors: Galit Zadok, Riikka Puustinen
Pages: 8 pp.
Source: The Green Switch
Publisher:
Date (published): 16/01/2010
Date (accessed): 18/01/2010
Type of information: research paper
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
Growth of mobile users is projected to reach 6 billion by 2013, with 80% of users in the developing world where the mobile phone is their primary communication and computing device. At the same time, sales of energy-intensive Smart Phones have grown 15% last year with all mobile phones to be Smart by 2015. The increased consumption means an average replacement rate of 18 months, accounting for 500 million handsets replaced last year in Europe alone. This makes the mobile phone the consumer electronic device with the highest replacement rate in history.

These parallel and growing trends make sustainability in mobile computing an urgent problem to address. In addressing sustainability, solutions with a significant impact that actively reduce emissions are required. Such efforts within the mobile industry are underway in the manufacturing and disposal phases. However, sustainability efforts in the product use-phase have been limited. Efforts have largely focused on the ecological appeal, neglecting to address the human or user appeal that is required to instigate behavioural change on a mass-market level. To redress this issue, this position paper outlines a product and service design methodology called The Green Switch. The methodology is structured as a human and ecological check-list that creates a framework by which one can assess the likely mass-market take-up and therefore the positive environmental impact of a mobile product or service. In addition, the paper introduces an early-stage design concept called the Green Mode App, as an example of a mobile product which adheres to The Green Switch methodology.

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