Information & Communication Technology

Key Point

ICT consists of three key areas: devices, data centres, and communication networks.

Further Information

What is Information and Communication Technology?

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) includes:

computing devices,
data centres, and
communication networks,

whether physically connected by cables, Wi-Fi or over the internet. (Copenhagen, 2020)

For the purposes of this project, a business-centric perspective is taken on this definition. (Zuppo, 2012) Therefore broader communication tools and media such as gaming devices, smart TVs and media streaming services are not included.

Computing Devices

Essential devices for desk-based working from home include a computer, phone and router although many home setups are more extensive, as shown below. Devices may be battery-powered or what is referred to as ‘always on’. That is, connected to the electricity supply. (Tao et al, 2023)

Devices that use a battery have significant levels of what is called ’embodied carbon.’ According to Gupta et al, it is necessary to use a mobile device for 3+ years is “amortise” it’s embodied carbon footprint.

Data Centres

According to Baringa Partners LLP (2022), “data centres are the home of cloud computing.” More accurately, a data centre is “a physical building or set of buildings housing a set of computers called servers that are connected to the internet to provide cloud services.” (ibid)

Bitpower, an energy research and consulting service, records that as of June 2023, there were:

82 data centres in Ireland using a combined total of 1,261 MW
14 under construction with an estimated capacity of 356 MW
a further 40 planning-approved at an estimated capacity of 1,286 MW.

Data centres are more efficient than business-owned servers because they are designed to deliver at scale. (451 Research | S&P Global Market Intelligence, 2021) Efficiency is measured in Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), that is, the ratio of electricity used to power servers versus overall energy usage. The lower the PUE, the more efficient the energy usage.

The need for data storage, however, outpaces any efficiencies due to the growth in industries such as artificial intelligence, big data processing, the internet of things, and a consumer-switch to more video-driven media.

As a net result, the electricity consumption of these data centres has trebled since 2015—a contrast to the reduction in metered electricity for households and despite a growing population of metered households. (CSO 2023a and 2023b)

Data centres, alone, account for approximately 1% of total emissions (Cloud Carbon Footprint, n.d.) while “the internet” produces twice this volume (Avgerinou et al., 2017 cited in Say 2018).

The United Nations Environment Programme (2021) claims 4% of the world’s energy is consumed by Information and Communication Technology—on par with aviation (ibid). By 2030, Gupta et al estimate this proportion could reach up to 20% (2021).

Communication Networks

Networks includes mobile networks as well as broadband, fixed telephony and terrestrial broadcasting. (Malmodin, 2023) Elements of these are illustrated below.

According to the Copenhagen Climate Centre, a United Nations agency (formerly UNEP DTU), communication networks contributed around 24% of total ICT greenhouse gas emissions in 2020.

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Find out why it's so difficult to account for greenhouse emissions from ICT.

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Learn more about how individuals and organisations can improve the carbon footprint of their ICT.