"The current trend for digital overconsumption in the world is not sustainable with respect to the supply of energy and materials it requires. Digital transition as it is implemented at present results from a considerable expansion of the direct energy footprint of digital technologies, with an annu
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al growth of from 9% to 10% according to the different hypotheses. This hyper-growth, occurring in spite of regular advances made up to now in the energy efficiency of digital devices and systems, is resulting in: The appropriation of a progressively disproportionate share of available electricity, increasing tension on the buildup of non-carbon production sources; The increase by half in 5 years of digital technology in GHG emissions (2.5% to 3.7% between 2013 and 2018) and a twofold increase of this ratio from now to 2025 (if data traffic continues to grow by 30% a year); Increasing demand for rare and critical metals of which many are essential for low carbon energy technologies, hence a risk of tension regarding supplies, exacerbated by the almost monopolistic position of China with respect to most of these metals [.] So that digital transition can contribute to reducing the global energy consumption of a system, it is vital to change our consumption patterns and integrating digital technology in our projects, by applying the following recommendations: 1. Adopt digital sobriety as a principle of action; 2. Inform and spread awareness; 3. Mobilize the lever of public purchasing; 4. Allow companies and organizations to manage the environmental dimension of their digital transition; 5. Carry out a carbon balance of digital projects to facilitate their prioritization; 6. Improve consideration of the systemic dimensions of digital technology; 7. Work at the European scale and with international organizations." (Conclusions, page 60-63)
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"The Information Economy Report 2010 focuses on the nexus of ICTs, enterprises and poverty alleviation. Whereas the knowledge base needs to grow considerably, the evidence presented in this Report suggests that more attention should be given by policymakers and other stakeholders to this new set of
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opportunities. The Report is organized into fi ve chapters. Chapter I introduces a c onceptual framework for the analysis that follows. Chapter II reviews recent connectivity and affordability trends to gauge the degree of access and uptake of different ICTs among the poor. Chapter III turns to the role of the poor in the production of ICT goods and services (the ICT sector). In chapter IV, the focus shifts to the use of ICT by enterprises, with emphasis on those that matter most for poor people, namely small and micro-enterprises in urban and rural areas. Finally, chapter V presents the main policy implications from the analysis." (Executive summary, page X)
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"The review reveals that, despite many constraints, the use of ICTs is growing in Africa and there have been successful developments in infrastructure, information management, net- working and gender-related issues. However, the literature has also revealed considerable variation between different A
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frican countries in their adoption and use of these technologies. The literature reviewed relates primarily to anglophone Africa and generally excludes telecommunications issues, as these are already well documented in other publications. In essence it is hoped that this publication will act as a window of opportunity for more nationally and locally focused empirical research and will make a contribution to under- standing the research opportunities and challenges that still face most African countries." (Foreword)
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