This report identifies seven major carbon opportunities that could be realized through Australian telecommunication networks between 2008-2054 to reduce the country's carbon emissions by almost 5% compared to business as usual. These opportunities include remote appliance management, presence-based power reduction, decentralizing business districts, personalized public transport, real-time freight management, increasing renewable energy use, and high definition video conferencing. If implemented, they could save businesses and consumers approximately $6.6 billion per year in energy and travel costs while also creating carbon credits valued between $570 million to $5.5 billion annually depending on the future price of carbon. Some opportunities can be adopted immediately while others require a national fiber optic network for homes and businesses.

1. Towards a
A Climate Risk Report
High-Bandwidth,
Low-Carbon Future
Telecommunications-based Opportunities to
Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Climate Risk Pty Ltd provide specialist professional services to
business and government on risk, opportunity and adaptation to
climate change. Climate Risk
www.climaterisk.net
Towards a High-Bandwidth, Low-Carbon Future
Climate Risk

2. Climate Risk Pty Limited (Australia)
Level ,
36 Lauderdale Avenue
Fairlight, NSW 094
Tel: + 6 8003 454
Brisbane: + 6 7 30 453
www.climaterisk.net
Climate Risk Europe Limited
Manchester: + 44 6 73 474
This report was prepared by:
Dr Karl Mallon BSc PhD
karl@climaterisk.com.au
Gareth Johnston GC. Sust CSAP
gareth@climaterisk.com.au
Donovan Burton B.Env.Plan (Hons)
donovan@climaterisk.com.au
Jeremy Cavanagh B.Eng
Design and layout by Bethan Burton BSc
bethan@climaterisk.com.au
Towards a High-Bandwidth, Low-Carbon Future:
Telecommunications-based Opportunities to
Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Version 1.0
ISBN: 978-0-9804343-0-9
Disclaimer
Climate Risk provides professional services in relation to climate
change risks and opportunities. Our technical and professional staff
endeavour to work to international best practice standards using
experienced scientists, sector specialists and associated experts.
This document is intended to stimulate ideas and generate
discussion amongst business government and society about the role
telecommunications can play in reducing carbon emissions. While
the information contained is drawn from reputable sources in the
public domain, Climate Risk cannot take responsibility for errors or
inaccuracies within original source material.
This report does not consider individual investment requirements
or the particular needs of individuals, corporations or others and as
such the report should not be relied upon as the basis for specific
commercial decisions.
Telstra and Climate Risk support a constructive dialogue about the
ideas and concepts contained herein.
Towards a High-Bandwidth, Low-Carbon Future
Climate Risk

3. Climate Risk Team
Dr Karl Mallon
Dr Karl Mallon is director of Science and Systems at Climate Risk Pty Ltd. He is
a first class honours graduate in physics from the United Kingdom and holds a
doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Melbourne. He has
been the recipient of research scholarships from the British Council and European
Centre for Nuclear Research (CERN). Karl has worked in the field of climate change
and energy since 99 and is the editor and co-author of ‘Renewable Energy Policy
and Politics: A Handbook for Decision Making’ published by Earthscan (London). He has worked as
a technology and energy policy analyst for various international government and non-government
organisations. Karl was a member of the CSIRO’s Energy Futures Forum which reported in 006, as well
as a director of the Australian Wind Energy Association between 003 and 005.
Gareth Johnston
Gareth Johnston is director of Corporate and Government Risk at Climate Risk
Pty Ltd. Post graduate qualified in sustainability, with a background in land
management and infrastructure development, Gareth focuses on emergent
opportunities for Climate Risk clients. As founding CEO of a CSIRO energy
technology company and executive director of an Australian management
consulting company, Gareth has consulted to the largest Australian, European and
Japanese utilities. His development work has given him exposure to local, state
and federal governments across Europe and Australasia.
Donovan Burton
Donovan Burton is a Senior Associate with Climate Risk. Donovan heads Climate
Risk’s Planning and Local Government section where he works closely with
local government and industry to help develop climate change adaptation and
mitigation strategies. He has a degree in Environmental Planning and achieved a
first class honours for his thesis on local climate change mitigation. Donovan is
also a PhD candidate at Griffith University and has recently been announced as a
Wentworth Scholar. Donovan’s recent research is on local scale adaptation where
he is developing tools to quantify the impacts of climate change on human settlements.
Jeremy Cavanagh
Jeremy Cavanagh has a degree in electrical engineering from University
Technology Sydney and postgraduate qualifications in sustainability. With
over 0 years international telecommunications experience he has provided
technical operations management for terrestrial and satellite service operators
including AUSSAT and France Telecom. Jeremy is a recognised analyst of
media technology innovation and has been published in DTV(US), TVB Europe
and BEN (AUST). Jeremy provides technical planning and execution expertise
which is used by international broadcasters including CNN, CBS, ITN, ITV and Channel 7. His work in
telecommunications and broadcasting has been recognised internationally and he has shared in three
US Emmy awards for technical excellence.
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Climate Risk

4. Peer Reviewers
Greg Bourne
Greg Bourne is chief executive of WWF Australia and a member of the National
Advisory Committee for Environment Business Australia. Greg was formerly
Regional President of BP Australasia, part of a career in the oil and gas industry
spanning over 5 years. Greg’s work in oil research and exploration included work
in the United Kingdom, the USA, Latin America, Canada, Ireland, Brazil, China,
Australia, Papua New Guinea and Middle East. During the middle of his career,
Greg was also seconded to the Prime Minister’s Policy Unit at 0 Downing Street
in 988 as Special Adviser on Energy and Transport. Greg took up his current position as CEO WWF-
Australia in October 004. Greg is also Chair of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Victoria and a
Member of the CSIRO Sector Advisory Council to the Natural Resource Management and Environment
Sector. He was awarded the Centenary Medal for services to the environment.
Dr Hugh Saddler
Dr Saddler has a degree in science from Adelaide University and a PhD from
Cambridge University. He is the author of a book on Australian energy policy,
‘Energy in Australia’ and over 50 scientific papers, monographs and articles
on energy technology and environmental policy, and is recognised as one of
Australia’s leading experts in this field. He is currently a member of the Experts
Group on Emissions Trading, appointed by the Australian Greenhouse Office, of
the ABS Environmental Statistics Advisory Group, and of the ACT Environment
Advisory Committee. In 998 he was appointed an Adjunct Professor at Murdoch University. He is a
Fellow of the Australian Institute of Energy and a member of the International Association for Energy
Economics. Between 99 and 995 he was a member of the Board of the ACT Electricity and Water
Authority. In 995 he was a member of the Expert Selection Panel for the 995 Special Round of the
Cooperative Research Centres Program (renewable energy technologies).
Acknowledgements
Climate Risk acknowledges the support of the following: Telstra staff especially Cassandra
Scott and Virginia Harrison; Heritage Pacific staff Natalie Philp, Bianca Duncan and Stephen
Harrison; Catholic Education Parramatta: Loddon Mallee Health Alliance. We would also like
to acknowledge the expert advice from Peter Best and Corin Millais and the support from
Ruth Tedder and Nicole Hercus.
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Climate Risk

5. Foreword
The 007 Lowy Institute Poll found that tackling climate change is as important to Australians as
improving standards in education - and more so than improving the delivery of health care, ensuring
economic growth and fighting international terrorism.
This Report is a first attempt at a nationwide quantification of the carbon savings and financial
benefits resulting from using telecommunications networks to conserve energy and increase clean
energy use at home, in the workplace and in ways we connect people, enterprises and communities.
The analysis presented in this report finds that the telecommunications sector is uniquely placed
to provide important services that can yield nationally significant reductions in greenhouse gas
emissions. Indeed a key finding is that many of the telecommunication solutions for living and working
in a future carbon-constrained world can actually lead to cost savings for business and the consumer.
There is scant information in the public domain that quantifies the opportunities presented by
telecommunications to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This report does.
This report is not the last word on telecommunications and carbon emissions, but one of the first.
We welcome a robust public dialogue around the ideas presented in the report – including critiques
by national and international specialists who may provide more detailed insights and more refined
ideas. Climate Risk, the authors of the report, and Telstra are committed to raising the level of public
discourse and to capture and share learning that can result. This dialogue will, we hope, lead to a
more comprehensive understanding of how we can work together to achieve the benefits of a high
bandwidth, low carbon society.
Time is of the essence as we find innovative solutions to reducing carbon emissions. We are delighted
to offer this study into the marketplace of ideas and we invite you to share your reactions, insights
and ideas with us and with each other through forums, the media and private discussions.
Philip M. Burgess, Ph.D
Group Managing Director
Public Policy Communications
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Climate Risk

6. Contents
Executive Summary vi -xiii
Part 1 1
Climate Change - The Challenge 1
The Global Consensus 1
What is the ‘greenhouse effect’? 1
The Complexity of Climate Change 2
What Does ‘Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change’ Actually Mean? 5
Understanding Emission Cuts 6
National Emissions and Per Capita Emissions 7
Adaptation and Mitigation 7
A Carbon Price 8
Emissions Trading 9
Part 2 10
The Emissions Signature of Broadband 10
Understanding Telecommunications Networks 10
The Balance of Network Impacts 16
Part 3 18
Identifying Carbon-Opportunities for Telecommunication networks 18
Step 1. Identifying Relevant Sectors 18
Step 2. Reviewing Current and Emergent Network Technology 19
Step 3. Major Carbon-Opportunities for telecommunication providers: Overlaying
emission sources with network technologies 20
Viability and Implementation 23
Part 4 24
Major Carbon-Opportunities for Telecommunication Networks 24
Carbon-Opportunity 1: Remote Appliance Power Management 24
Carbon-Opportunity 2: Presence-Based Power 27
Carbon-Opportunity 3: De-centralised Business District 29
Carbon-Opportunity 4: Personalised Public Transport 33
Carbon-Opportunity 5: Real-time Freight Management 36
Carbon-Opportunity 6: Increased Renewable Energy 38
Carbon-Opportunity 7: ‘On-Live’ High Definition Video Conferencing 45
Part 5 48
Quantifying the Opportunities 48
Remote Appliance Power Management 48
Presence-Based Power 49
De-centralised Business District 50
Personalised Public Transport 51
Real-time Freight Management 52
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7. Increased Renewable Energy 53
‘On-Live’ High Definition Video Conferencing 54
Total Impacts of Abatement Opportunities 55
Value of Avoided Carbon 56
Total Value of the Identified Opportunities 57
Attribution 57
Regulation 58
Timing 58
Part 6 60
Conclusions 60
Beyond Carbon Neutral 60
The Climate Challenge 60
Telecommunication’s Significance in Climate Change Mitigation 61
Part 7 64
References 64
Glossary 68
Appendix 1 73
Industry Example: Broadband and Urban Development - Genesis, Coomera
Appendix 2 78
Industry Example: Next generation networks, Carbon and Education - Catholic
Education Parramatta
Appendix 3 81
Industry Example: Telstra - Change Through Leadership
Appendix 4 84
Industry Example: The Health Sector, Climate Change and Telecommunication
Networks
Appendix 5: 89
Summary of Sectors and Applications Considered with Action
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8. Executive Summary
The scale and
scope of the
telecommunication
Key Findings sector’s operations
unlock the ability to
. This report provides an analysis 5. The estimated energy and travel aggregate multiple
of the opportunities for Australian cost savings are approximately distributed initiatives
society to achieve nationally $6.6 billion per year, and value of to achieve nationally
significant greenhouse gas the carbon credits created may significant emissions
abatement using telecommunication be between $70 million and $. savings.
networks. billion subject to the future price of
carbon.
. The report identifies that the scale
and scope of telecommunication 6. Some of these carbon-
network services and users provide opportunities can be realised CARBOn-
a unique opportunity to harness immediately; others are OPPORTuniTiES
economies of scale to achieve contingent on the roll-out of Throughout this document
meaningful emission reductions. a national fibre optic network carbon-opportunities is
to residential and commercial used as a short hand for
3. Many of the carbon-opportunities consumers. ‘carbon dioxide emission
abatement opportunities’
identified lead to energy and other
which include an activity
cost savings for commercial and 7. In combination with other that provides real and
residential customers, and in some measures being implemented by measurable reductions
cases will enable the on-selling Government, a deployment of in, or avoidance of,
of newly created carbon creditsi the carbon-opportunities in the greenhouse gas
and electricity management period 008 to 04 would have emissions. They do not
include the use of offset
commodities. the additional effect of stabilising
mechanism to reduce
national emissions in the period emissions.
4. The estimated abatement up to 04 in keeping with the
opportunity calculated herein is findings of the IPCC and the Stern
almost 5% (4.9) of Australia’s total Review, as shown in Figure i.
national emissions, making the use
of telecommunication networks one
of the most significant opportunities The opportunities
to reduce the national carbon outlined in this
footprint. report result in total
greenhouse gas
reductions equivalent
to approximately
4.9% of Australia’s
total national
emissions.
i When pollution levels are capped, in some schemes, it may be possible to trade greenhouse gas pollution
rights referred to as ‘carbon credits’. Currently NSW has a greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme, the
Federal Government has announced plans to introduce a national scheme in 0 and there are also voluntary
abatement markets.
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9. Figure i: Combined effect of telecommunication networks Carbon- Figure i. If the seven
Opportunities carbon-opportunities
identified in the report
were deployed, over
Business as usual the period 008 - 04,
850
Best estimate with effect of the effect would be a
anticipated government stabilisation of national
measures to reduce emissions emissions in the period
750
Kyoto target 0 - 04. Graph is a
modification based on
CR-Telecommunication
650 AGO 007a.
Networks Scenario
Emissions
550
MtCo2 -e 1990 levels
450
QuAnTiFyinG
350
EMiSSiOnS: MtCO2-e
Mega-tonnes carbon
dioxide equivalent
250
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 (MtCO-e) is the
internationally recognised
measure used to compare
the emissions from the
Year
various greenhouse gases.
This measure factors
in differences in global
warming potential and
converts them to a carbon-
dioxide equivalent. For
example, the global
warming potential for a
Table i: Summary of emissions abatement from Carbon-Opportunities tonne of methane over 00
years is times that of a
tonne of carbon dioxide.
Carbon-Opportunity (in order of size) MtCO2-e saving Percentage of
national emissions
increased Renewable Energy 10.1 1.81
Personalised Public Transport 3.9 0.70
Table i. Summary of
De-centralised Business District 3.1 0.55
emissions abatement
from carbon-
Presence-Based Power 3.0 0.53
opportunities
Real-time Freight Management 2.9 0.52
‘On-Live’ High Definition Video 2.4 0.43
Conferencing
Remote Appliance Power Management 1.8 0.33
Total 27.3 4.88
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10. Beyond Carbon Neutral The Climate Challenge
THE KyOTO PROTOCOL
AnD AuSTRALiA’S
This report goes significantly beyond The latest statement from the TARGET
‘holding the line’ goals of corporate Intergovernmental Panel on Climate The Kyoto Protocol is
carbon neutrality and carbon. Instead Change (IPCC 007) indicates the an agreement made
it sets out a suite of opportunities next ten years are critical in meeting under the United Nations
that would allow telecommunications the challenges posed by climate Framework Convention
on Climate Change
providers to play a leadership role in change. For the first time, scientists
(UNFCCC). The main
decarbonising the Australian economy and governments are now agreed that
objective of the protocol
and equipping the nation to prosper in global emissions must be stabilised is the “stabilization
a carbon constrained future. All of the by 05 if climate change is to be of greenhouse gas
strategies and opportunities are based effectively addressed. Similarly concentrations in the
on avoiding the release of fossil carbon the global economic Stern Review atmosphere at a level
that would prevent
into the atmosphere; they are not based concluded that “to stabilise at
dangerous anthropogenic
on off-setting emissions. 450ppmii CO-e, without overshooting,
interference with the
global emissions would need to peak climate system.” The first
Seven options are proposed to build on in the next 0 years“ (Stern 006, p. commitment period of the
existing and next-generation networks. 93). Reducing greenhouse emissions Kyoto Protocol requires
The realisation of opportunities requires major commitments from industrial nations to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions
outlined in this report would result in both the public and private sectors as
by at least 5 per cent
telecommunications providers assisting well as the government.
below 990 levels by 0.
Australian businesses and households Australia received a 08%
achieving total greenhouse gas In 005 Australia’s net annual target above 990 levels.
reductions equivalent to approximately emissions totalled 559 mega-tonnes
4.9% of Australia’s total national of CO equivalent (MtCO-e) from all GREEnHOuSE GASES
emissions. Some of the opportunities activities, which equates to .4% of (GHG)
identified in the consumer space can the global total. In the short term, Greenhouse gases
be achieved using existing network it appears that Australia will stay are those gaseous
services and others are contingent on close to its Kyoto Protocol target of constituents of the
the roll-out of fibre to the node (FTTN) no more than an 8% increase above atmosphere, both natural
and anthropogenic (man
broadband infrastructure. Overall 990 emission levels (AGO 007b).
made), that contribute
the initiatives identified in this report However, the underlying trend is that
to increasing the global
present the opportunity for one of the Australian emissions will increase at mean temperature of the
single largest reductions in Australia’s about .3% per year. earth. Greenhouse gases
carbon footprint by an Australian including water vapour
corporation. The use of fossil-fuels in stationary- (HO), carbon dioxide
(CO), nitrous oxide (NO),
energyiii and transport applications
methane (CH4), and ozone
Companies seeking to maximise is the nation’s major source of
(O3) are the primary
their carbon emission reduction emissions. The trend is not declining greenhouse gases in the
could leverage the existing and next- or stabilising, but continuing to grow Earth’s atmosphere. There
generation networks already built by significantly. If deep cuts in emissions are a number of entirely
Telstra. are to be achieved, emissions from the human-made greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere,
energy sector are Australia’s greatest
such as the halocarbons
greenhouse challenge.
and other chlorine- and
bromine-containing
ii Associated with a 50% chance of exceeding oC warming above pre-industrial levels. substances.
iii Stationary energy includes emissions from electricity generation, the use of fuels in manufacturing,
construction and commercial sectors, and residential heating. It excludes transport fuels.
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11. Telecommunication’s Significance Secondly, devices and appliances which The underlying trend
in Climate Change Mitigation are on, but not being unused, may is that Australian
also waste large amounts of electricity emissions are
Telecommunication operators are a (estimated herein as 5%), we refer to forecast to increase
major conduit for new technology and this as ‘orphaned’ energy. We have at about 1.3% per
infrastructure. Australia has the only identified two relevant commercial year.
national wireless broadband network in opportunities:
the world.
Carbon-Opportunity: Remote
The scale and scope of the Appliance Power Management
telecommunication sector’s operations
unlock the ability to aggregate multiple Broadband can provide both the nATiOnAL EMiSSiOnS
distributed initiatives to achieve monitoring and control of electrical AnD PER CAPiTA
EMiSSiOnS
nationally significant emissions networks down to the electric
Greenhouse gas
savings. The anticipated greenhouse switch box or even plug socket and
emissions vary
emission constraints coincide with the in addition facilitate analysis and
considerably, especially
government’s plans for next-generation management elsewhere on the between developed
networks, which provides synergies for network. Standby switching can be countries and developing
new emission reduction opportunities. centralised to allow electricity to be countries, both at a
halted to devices on standby, such as national level and per
person. Australia has the
This report identifies seven carbon- a phone that has finished charging,
highest emissions per
opportunities appropriate for Australian a TV that has not been used for an
capita of any developed
businesses and households, which hour, or a hot water system which is country (OECD) with the
have the potential for viable carbon on, even though no one is in the house. equivalent emissions
abatement using existing and next- While this is not appropriate for all of 6 tonnes per person
generation networks. These carbon- devices, it is applicable to many. carbon dioxide per year.
China is one of the worlds
opportunities have relevance for
biggest greenhouse
energy consumption in buildings, road Annual Saving: The estimated
gas polluters, but this
transport, renewable energy production emissions saving of Remote is largely due the high
and aviation. Appliance Power Managementiv is .8 population. On a per
MtCO-e, or 0.33% of total national capita basis a Chinese
Buildings emissions. The financial value of the person is responsible for
about .5 tonnes per year.
avoided electricity spending is $70
Today electricity consumption in homes million and the value of the carbon
and the workplace accounts for one fifth credits would be in the range of $8
of total national emissions (ABS 007, million to $9 million.
AGO 007b); in both locations there
are two significant sources of energy Carbon-Opportunity: Presence- With Presence-Based
wastage. Firstly, standby power, in Based Power Power the supply
which numerous appliances that appear of energy follows
to be ‘off’ are still consuming energy, It is very common for any energy the person, not the
typically this accounts for over % consuming devices to be left on even appliance.
of electricity use in an average home. though the user may not be present.
iv Assumes broadband-based Remote Appliance Power Management solutions are used to reduce standby
emissions by 50% in /3 of Australian homes and commercial buildings.
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12. However, the supply of energy can be of national emissions. Overall, freight THE VALuE OF CARBOn
made dependent on the presence of vehicles are empty for 8% of the Greenhouse gas
a person. For example, most office kilometres travelled (ABS 005). emissions trading will be
meeting rooms remain air-conditioned operational in Australia
while no one is using them and For all of these emissions we have by 0. This will create
computers stay on when the person identified three commercially-viable a cost for the right to emit
greenhouse gas pollution.
is at lunch. Significant reductions in opportunities:
Reciprocally it will create
energy consumption can be achieved a value for greenhouse
if devices are deactivated when people Carbon-Opportunity: De- gas abatement. The
walk away, and turned back on when the centralised Business District value of greenhouse
person returns. This ‘Presence-Based gas abatement will
Power’ can use a person’s mobile phone Broadband-enabled homes, suburbs depend on the cuts in
emissions specified by
or company identification tag to register and regional centres can either
the government and will
their presence meaning the supply of remove or significantly reduce the be set by the market. In
energy is linked to the presence of the emissions generated by people this report we use a range
person, not just the appliance. travelling to and from work. At one of possible carbon prices
end of the spectrum, people would be from $0 to $50 per tonne
Annual Saving: The estimated working from home one day a week or of carbon dioxide based on
analysis by the CSIRO and
emissions saving of Presence-Based more; at the other end, people would
ABARE.
Power v is 3.0 MtCO-e, or 0.53% of total be working in suburban or regional
national emissions. The financial value centres where minor commuting is
of the avoided electricity spending is involved. In the latter case, people
$70 million and the value of the carbon would continue to enjoy employment
credits would be in the range $9 million in a national or international company
to $50 million. with no career disadvantage. A hybrid
is the telework business centre, open to
staff from many different businesses
Transport
and placed in locations close to where
Today road transport produces nearly 70 people live but able to offer all of the
MtCO–e of emissions per year, around amenities of a large office.
4% of total national emissionsvi. Three
quarters of Australians drive to work; Annual Saving: The estimated
of these only 4% share a car (ABS emissions saving of De-centralised
005). Though significant attention Business Districtsvii, from reduced
has focused on making traffic flows travel emissions only, is 3. MtCO-e
more efficient, this often only increases or 0.55% of total national emissions.
traffic volumes. Meaningful emissions The financial value of the avoided fuel
abatement requires the provision of spending is $. billion and the value of
more compelling alternatives to car use. the carbon credits would be in the range
$30 million to $50 million.
Major emissions also result from the
movement of freight totalling about 5%
v Assumes network enabled Presence-Based Power solutions are used to reduce ‘orphaned’ energy emissions
by 50% in /3 of Australian homes and commercial buildings.
vi Much of this is caused by the sheer size of the nation. Other continentalised nations, such as the US and
Canada, also have comparatively high transport-linked emissions. This may also affect vehicle type and
choice.
vii Assumes that De-Centralised Workplaces are used by 0% of employees who have telework suitable jobs, and
their commuting emissions are reduced by at least 50%.
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13. Carbon-Opportunity: Personalised or 0.5% of total national emissions.
Public Transport The financial value of the avoided fuel
Wireless-broadband can facilitate public spending is $. billion and the value of
transport on demand. Personalised the carbon credits would be in the range
Public Transport allows the user to $9 million to $50 million.
order public transport provided by an
integrated network of multi-occupant
Renewable Energy
taxis, minibuses, buses and trains,
which starts at the front door. The Today Australia’s energy supply is
personal efficiency of Personalised dominated by fossil fuels. However REnEWABLE EnERGy
Public Transport can exceed that of deep cuts in Australian emissions COnSTRAinTS
using the private car, with faster speeds will require a transition to low and Europe, US states and
door-to-door, greater flexibility and zero emission sources of power developing countries
lower costs. Further, Personalised supply. Despite being plentiful, low- like India and China have
Public Transport can greatly increase cost renewable energy sources like established very high
targets for renewable
the catchment of other public transport wind power are hampered by the
energy. The Australian
options, such as bus and rail, resulting in variability of the supply; this has in government has recently
significant opportunities for greenhouse part prompted restriction of new wind announced a target for
gas abatement. farm development in South Australia about 30,000 gigawatt
and has been used in the advocacy hours of electricity
Annual Saving: The estimated of higher-cost nuclear generation. per year to come from
renewables. Some of the
emissions saving through Personalised The report identifies a means by
most successful renewable
Public Transport viii is 3.9 MtCO-e which next- generation networks can energy sources, like wind
per annum, or 0.7% of total national dismantle such barriers to renewable power, produce constantly
emissions. The financial value of the energy uptake. varying amounts of
avoided fuel spending is $.6 billion and energy. Properly
the value of the carbon credits would be managing this variation
Carbon-Opportunity: increased
can limit the amount of
in the range $39 million to $00 million. Renewable Energy renewable energy which
can be installed in certain
Carbon-Opportunity: Real-time Australia’s extensive broadband locations or increase the
Freight Management networks allow a link to be made value of such energy.
between renewable energy supplies
Wireless-broadband allows freight and and active load management of
freight vehicles to be monitored in real heating, cooling and other appliances in
time. Consolidating this information buildings and homes across Australia.
allows more freight to be assigned to This can be used to create ‘virtual’
unladen, or underladen, vehicles. Real- energy storage to effectively neutralise
time Freight Management creates an aspects of short-term variability, turning The report identifies a
integrated clearing house for multiple such renewables into ‘stable and means by which next
suppliers of freight services. predictable generation’. This in turn generation networks
would enable renewables to contribute can dismantle barriers
Annual Saving: The estimated an increased component of the to renewable energy
emissions saving of Real-time Freight electricity supply. uptake.
Managementix is .9 MtCO-e per annum,
viii Assumes that wireless broadband-facilitated Personalised Public Transport is able to capture 0% of car-based
commuters and assumes that the relative emission intensity of public transport is 90% lower than personal car
travel in the urban environment.
ix Assumes that Real-time Freight Management effectively avoids 5% of unladen truck kilometres.
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14. Annual Saving: The emissions to 6.5MtCO-e per annum when the
abatement from using Increased increased warming effect of aviation
Renewable Energy x is at least 0. emissions at altitude or ‘up-lift’ is
MtCO-e or .8% of total national included). Excluding up-lift, the avoided
emissions, though this could be emissions are equivalent to 0.43% of
considerably higher. The financial total national emissions.
value of the avoided fuel spending is
$86 million and the value of the carbon The financial value of the avoided Because aviation
credits would be in the range $00 spending on air travel is $. billion and emissions occur
million to $300 million. the value of the carbon credits are in the at altitude the
range $4 million to $0 million. warming effect is
approximately 2.7
Aviation
times higher.
Real World and Industry Examples
Aviation emissions are amongst the
fastest growing in the energy sector. For each of the carbon-opportunities
Domestic aviation alone produces identified above, the report provides
5. million tonnes of CO per year and international examples of current
international aviation using fuels applications of the required technology
procured in Australia give rise to or systems.
approximately twice these emissions.
Yet because aviation emissions occur To illustrate the opportunities and Each of the industry
at altitude the warming effect is as barriers in achieving the carbon cuts examples demonstrate
much as .7 times higher. Based on from the use of Telstra’s existing that there have already
international studies about 50% of short and next-generation networks, four been carbon emission
haul air travel may be for business industry perspectives have been savings through the use
of ICT networks. In many
(Mason 000). presented:
cases this has been a side
effect of reducing costs or
Carbon-Opportunity: ‘On-Live’ High . Housing: The Genesis residential improving productivity.
Definition Video Conferencing housing development in South These examples show
East Queensland considerable scope
Long-distance, short-duration travel to apply the carbon-
opportunities identified
can be effectively replaced with ‘in- . Education: Catholic Education
in this report to create
person’ high-definition, high fidelity, Parramatta which administers 7 much deeper emission
online conferencing that is significantly schools abatement in these sectors
more efficient in cost, time, energy and and also to unlock costs
emissions. 3. Business: Telstra which has savings in energy, fuel and
approximately 36,000 full-time infrastructure.
Annual Saving: The emissions saving equivalent employees in Australia
of ‘On-Live’ High Definition Video
Conferencingxi services in avoided 4. Health: Information
domestic and international air travel Communications Technology (ICT)
is .4 MtCO-e per annum through networks in regional and rural health
direct fuel use reduction (equivalent services
x Assumes that one-third of homes and commercial buildings are broadband enabled and that they have agreed
to have their discretionary (non-time-sensitive) loads managed by Telstra. Assumes that on average, 5% of
the total loads across residential and commercial buildings are discretionary at any one time.
xi Assumes /3 of business air travel can be replaced by ‘On-Live’ meetings using high speed, high definition
video links.
xii
Towards a High-Bandwidth, Low-Carbon Future
Climate Risk

15. Figure ii: Breakdown of abatement contribution from seven Carbon-
Figure ii. Annual
Opportunities avoided emissions from
each of the identified
‘On-Live’ High Definition carbon-opportunities
Video Conferencing (MtCO-e).
2.4 MtCO2-e
Remote Appliance
Power Management
1.8 MtCO2-e
Increased Renewable Energy
10.1 MtCO2-e
Presence-Based Power
3.0 MtCO2-e The IPCC have
concluded that global
emissions must not
continue to increase
past 2015 if the global
mean temperature
De-centralised
Business District
increase is to be
3.1 MtCO2-e contained between
2.0 and 2.4oC above
pre-industrial levels.
Real-time Freight Personalised Public
Management Transport
2.9 MtCO2-e 3.9 MtCO2-e
Figure iii: Aggregated value for each of the Carbon-Opportunites Figure iii. Each of the
carbon-opportunites
2.5 creates value from
Carbon@ $20 tCO2-e
avoided fuel use or
Saving/Value increased energy value,
2.0 as well as revenue from
carbon credits created
and other ancillary
Billions dollars 1.5 services.
$A per year
1.0
0.5 To stabilise at
450ppm CO2-
0.0 e, without
overshooting, global
on enc ion
Bu De- por ic
en ht
is ed
er le
w d
en e
s bl
g
em nc
Po ase
t
em ig
En ab
t
gy
r it
t
t
in
lis
ic
er
an u
Pe nfe fin
ag Fre
ag lia
Tr P
tr
w
emissions would
ss ra
-B
ed
an pp
ne
e
ne nt
ce
an e
D
Co D
is
M im
si ce
Re
M A
en
o h
al
need to peak in
er te
de ig
-t
es
d
al
w o
Vi e’ H
se
Pr
Po Rem
Re
rs
ea
the next 10 years
v
cr
Li
In
n-
‘O
[before 2016] (Stern
2006, p. 193).
xiii
Towards a High-Bandwidth, Low-Carbon Future
Climate Risk

16. Part 1
Climate Change - The Challenge binding targets that may lead toward a
convergence in per capita emissions.
In this chapter we explore the basic For example, Australia’s per person
rationale for a low carbon society. We emissions are approximately 0 times
present an overview of climate change that of the average Chinese citizen and
science and mitigation strategies. the highest in the developed world.
Nevertheless, the societal pressure Global warming could
The Global Consensus
for unilateral actions in many shrink the global
In this report we assume that Australia, countries means that measures to economy by 20%,
along with most other countries, is reduce emissions are gathering but taking action
starting down a path toward a carbon pace on almost every continent, and now would cost just
constrained future. Australia is no different. There is 1% of global gross
now bi-partisan political support for domestic product
This starting assumption is founded greenhouse gas emissions trading,
on the science behind climate change, energy efficiency standards and the - Stern 2006
the rapid evolution of public opinion expansion of renewable energy. All
around the world and the actions of these present opportunities for the
and commitments occurring in the telecommunications sector as we shall
political domain. There is now a global explore in this report.
consensus that climate change is a
challenge that will have to be addressed
What is the ‘greenhouse effect’? The scientific convention
forthwith.
is for global warming
The atmosphere is semi-transparent
levels to be expressed
This consensus extends to the business to solar energy, allowing some
relative to pre-industrial
community which is increasingly sunlight to reach and warm the levels, nominally set
recognising the risks posed by climate Earth’s surface, absorbing the rest as 850. Temperature
change and seeking the opportunities as infrared radiation, and emitting it increases are different
created by a carbon constrained society. back to Earth or out into space. This across the globe, lowest
at the equator and
radiation budget is adjusted as the
highest at the poles,
Any solution to climate change will concentration of greenhouse gases
consequently the
require international agreement, change in the atmosphere. scientific convention is
which has not yet been achieved. In to refer to global average
any international agreement Australia This natural ‘greenhouse effect’ keeps temperature increases.
will likely be a target taker, rather than the average surface temperature on Unless otherwise stated
these conventions are
a target setter. Unlike the USA, the Earth at a comfortable 4°C. To get a
adhered to in this report.
EU, China, India or Brazil, as one of sense of its importance, our nearest
the world’s smaller emitters Australia neighbour, the Moon has an average
is unlikely to play a central role in the temperature 3°C lower than Earth.
architecture and targets established Although the Moon is about the same
in future international agreements. distance from the Sun as Earth, it does
However, as one of the world’s not have an atmosphere, and no natural
highest per capita emitters, Australia ‘greenhouse effect’ to keep it warm.
is highly vulnerable to international
Towards a High-Bandwidth, Low-Carbon Future
Climate Risk

17. The composition of our atmosphere is warming or ‘enhanced greenhouse
crucial for trapping heat to the levels effect’ we now have to address. In
which Earth’s ecosystems and human essence the CO that was taken out of
civilisations are now adapted. The the atmosphere by plants over hundreds
atmospheric composition is 78% of millions of years is now being
nitrogen, % oxygen, 0.93% argon as released back into the atmosphere in a
well as some other trace gases. One matter of decades.
of these trace gases is carbon dioxide,
comprising 0.04%.
The Complexity of Climate Change
Almost all (99%) of air is made up of The United Nations sums up climate
simple double molecules – oxygen change science as follows:
(O) and nitrogen (N) – which neither In essence, the CO2
emit nor absorb infrared radiation. “The average temperature of the Earth that was taken out of
Molecules with more than two atoms of has been increasing more than natural the atmosphere by
different elements - like water vapour climatic cycles would explain. This plants over hundreds of
(HO), carbon dioxide (CO), or methane episode of “global warming” is due millions of years is now
(CH4) – can trap heat by emitting more to human activity. It began with the being released back
infrared radiation back to Earth (Figure industrial revolution, two centuries into the atmosphere in a
). These are known as the greenhouse ago, and accelerated over the last 50 matter of decades.
gases. years. Fossil fuel burning is mostly
responsible, because it releases
While carbon is a trace element in the gases (particularly carbon dioxide)
air, vast amounts are cycled between that trap infrared radiation. This
the Earth and the atmosphere by “greenhouse effect” creates a whole
geological and biological processes, system disturbance, that we call climate
and transferred by plant growth into change”. (UNEP 005)
the oceans, soils, and forests. Millions
of years in favourable geological The climate change process and risks
conditions have turned decaying plant are part of a complex interaction with
matter into the carbon-rich fossil fuels human activities and the physical
we know as oil, coal and gas. dynamics that define the global
climate itself. The complexity of these
Burning fossil fuels releases carbon interactions is explained in Figure .
dioxide back into the atmosphere. Here
the carbon dioxide acts as a particularly Over the past century, average global
effective heat radiator because of its temperatures have increased by
molecular structure. The amounts in approximately 0.74°C (Figure 3) and
the atmosphere are so small they are scientific evidence suggests this will
measured in parts per million (ppm), continue (IPCC WGI 007).
but a slight change in CO concentration
makes a large difference to the heat If, as predicted by current IPCC
balance. The increased CO adds to the projection models, there is a doubling
natural greenhouse effect of the Earth of atmospheric carbon dioxide, the
– and causes the human induced global average global temperature is expected
Towards a High-Bandwidth, Low-Carbon Future
Climate Risk

18. Figure 1: An overview of the mechanism and scale of the greenhouse
effect
Figure . The diagram
illustrates the process
Some solar radiation is Radiation escapes the of warming which is
reflected by the atmosphere atmosphere into driven by incoming
and the Earth’s surface space
solar radiation
which is trapped
by the atmospheric
greenhouse gases.
Solar radiation
passes through
GREENHOUSE GASES
the atmosphere
Greenhouse gases
trap and reflect
infrared radiation
back to Earth,
causing the
Some solar energy is Some of the energy
‘greenhouse effect’
absorbed by the is given out as
Earth’s surface infrared radiation
to rise between 2°C – 4.5°C by 2100, by between 0.4°C to °C by 030 and
with extremely serious implications between °C to 6°C by 070 (Preston
for the global environment, society Jones 006) (Figure 4).
and economy (IPCC 007a; Stern 006;
Houghton 004). According to the Australian Greenhouse
Office (AGO), climate change will place
Climate Change in Australia considerable strain on Australia’s
coastal communities including sea
The past century has seen Australia level rise and increased storm surges,
experience an average warming of changes to marine and coastal
0.7°C and a significant reduction of biodiversity and changes to fisheries
coastal precipitation that is reducing (Voice et al. 006).
the water supplies of our urban
settlements and agricultural regions Relevant impacts for Australia, based
(Preston Jones 006). This warming on a range of research include:
trend is set to continue with predictions
that relative to 990 levels, average • Reduced urban water supplies or
Australian temperatures could increase increased costs (CSiRO 2006).
3
Towards a High-Bandwidth, Low-Carbon Future
Climate Risk

19. Figure 2: The complexity of interactions that influence climate change and Figure . The climate
its impacts change processes
and risks are part of a
complex interaction
with human activities
and the physical
dynamics that define
the global climate itself
(UNEP/GRID-Arendal
006).
Soucrce: UNEP/GRID Arendal 006
4
Towards a High-Bandwidth, Low-Carbon Future
Climate Risk

20. Figure 3: The changing global average temperatures since 1850 Figure 3. There is a
discernable increase
in global temperatures
since 900 as the black
line with multi-year
0.6
smoothing shows
(Brohan et al. 006).
0.4
Temperature 0.2
anomaly (oC)
0.0
- 0.2
- 0.4
- 0.6
1860 1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000
Year
• Rural and agricultural community • Destabilisation and regional conflict
economic dislocation (nelson 2006). in the Pacific including mobilisation
of environmental refugees
• increase in extreme weather events (Edwards 1999).
(CSiRO 2006).
What Does ‘Avoiding Dangerous
• Sea level rise and storm surge
Climate Change’ Actually Mean?
impacts on coastal settlements
(Church 2006). The latest IPCC report suggests that
atmospheric CO concentration alone
• A southerly movement of mosquito- (i.e. not including other gases) has
borne diseases including Ross River increased from pre-industrial levels
Fever (Lyth 2006). of 80 parts per million (ppm) to 380
ppm in 005, which “exceeds by far the
• Disruption of food security (Preston natural range over the last 650,000 years
2006). (80 to 300 ppm) as determined from ice
cores.” (IPCC WGI SPM 007).
• Loss of biodiversity including
extinction of endemic species The term ‘dangerous’ climate change
(Williams 2005). was introduced in the 99 United
Nations Convention on Climate
• Reduced ecosystem services Change (UNFCCC), from which the
including water quality and Kyoto Protocol was born. It calls for
availability; and decreased natural stabilisation of greenhouse gases to:
pollination of crops (Houghton
2004; Pittock 2005; Flannery 2005). “prevent dangerous anthropogenic
5
Towards a High-Bandwidth, Low-Carbon Future
Climate Risk

21. Figure 4: Forecast average temperature increases in Australia Figure 4. The changing
mean temperatures
around Australia based
on modelling by the
CSIRO.
2030 2070
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Temperature Temperature
increase (oC) increase (oC)
interference with the climate system.… the UNFCCC to prevent dangerous
Such a level should be achieved within a anthropogenic interference with
time frame sufficient: the climate system, overall global
temperature increase should not
• to allow ecosystems to adapt exceed ºC above pre-industrial levels”
naturally to climate change; (European Council 004).
• to ensure that food production is not
Understanding Emission Cuts
threatened, and; There is a general
The recent IPCC statement on emissions agreement that
• to enable economic development to abatement potential concludes that dangerous changes
proceed in a sustainable manner”. temperatures could be stabilised below will occur with
.4 oC provided that emissions stop warming in the
(UNFCCC 99) increasing by 05 and are then reduced vicinity of 2oC above
by between 60-95% by 050 (IPCC pre-industrial
The UNFCCC and IPCC refer to, but WGIII 007). This is the first time that levels.
do not define, ‘dangerous climate scientists and governments, through
change’. There is a general agreement the IPCC, have nominated a deadline
that dangerous changes will occur with beyond which emissions cannot
warming in the vicinity of oC above pre- continue to grow if certain levels of
industrial levels. climate change are to be averted.
The European Union has formally Greenhouse gas emissions accumulate
resolved that: in the global atmosphere and will
therefore have to be managed by
“to meet the ultimate objective of international agreement. However,
Converted from the range 50-85% relative to levels in the year 000, and assuming that global emissions have
increase by approximately 0% between 000 and 007
6
Towards a High-Bandwidth, Low-Carbon Future
Climate Risk