ACTIVITIES :: Sustainable Growth :: Smart Sustainable Cities

Cities as leaders in the Digital Agenda: Neelie Kroes video-message, Global Cities Dialogue, Spring Summit 2011

Smart Sustainable Cities

ICTs can play a significant role to improve the carbon footprint of cities by moving to a more intelligent use of energy.

 ICTs can enable a better use of energy in buildings , transport, street lighting etc. It can also facilitate the integration of locally generated renewable energy into the electricity grid. The report "Impacts of Information and Communication Technologies on Energy Efficiency" which was commissioned by the European Commission identifies areas in a city in which ICT can have a positive impact.

Because of the positive role ICTs can play in helping cities reduce their carbon emissions the European Commission co-finances initiatives and research in this area through the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development and the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme . You can find a list of projects financed by the European Commission here.

Cities themselves have also taken a very pro-active role and launched the Green Digital Charter in 2009. The cities signing up to the Charter commit to reduce the carbon footprint of their ICT and roll-out ICT solutions which lead to more energy efficiency in areas such as buildings, transport and energy.