In 2000, 189 countries signed up to the Millennium Development Goals. These goals outlined action on matters as diverse as climate change and poverty elevation. The rapidly converging Information and Communications Technology Sector (ICT) recognized that addressing these issues would need an effective, industry-wide response.
As part of this response, GeSI, the Global e-Sustainability Initiative, was born in 2001 to further sustainable development in the ICT sector. GeSI fosters global and open cooperation, informs the public of its members’ voluntary actions to improve their sustainability performance, and promotes technologies that foster sustainable development. The World Summit on the Information Society described information and communication technologies as "a powerful instrument, increasing productivity, generating economic growth, and improving the quality of life of all". GeSI considers this a crucial principle to extend the influence of ICT into all aspects of socio-economic development, applying these technologies to both rich and poor countries to achieve sustainable development across the globe. GeSI brings together leading ICT companies – including telecommunications service providers and manufacturers as well as industry associations – and non-governmental organisations committed to achieving sustainability objectives through innovative technology. In June 2008, GeSI became an AISBL, a legal independent entity, an international non-profit association with an office near the EU institutions in Brussels, Belgium.
GeSI aims to promote effective industry action and innovation to manage the risks associated with ICT and realise its potential in creating a low-carbon economy.
GeSI Initiatives include:
Climate Change:
To develop a methodology and standards to measure and cut the carbon footprint of the ICT sector, and enable other industries to reduce their emissions through innovative technology.
Energy Efficiency
To develop common standards across ICT companies which will facilitate measuring greenhouse gas emissions more efficiently. The EE-IOCG (energy efficiency Inter-operators coalition group) leads this initiative within GeSI.
E-waste
To promote take-back and create tools to ensure electrical and electronic equipment is disposed of responsibly at end-of-life, and materials are reused or recycled wherever possible.
Policy/Standards
To engage with policymakers and other stakeholders to promote the contribution ICT can make to sustainability.
Supply chain:
To promote good conduct and develop or improve tools, management practices, processes or systems to assist each participant and their supply chain in dealing with CR supply chain risks.
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