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Late Breaking News |
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| Date: July 22, 1998 9:53 am Contact: World Resources Institute Frank Dexter Brown, Director of Media Relations, WRI (202) 662-3484 or Mary Houser, Media Assistant, WRI (202) 662-2542 |
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Latest News Releases
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Electronics Industry Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions Through Innovations; Plays Constructive role in Climate Protection Efforts | ||
| WASHINGTON - July 22 - The shape of things to come: Video
camera-computer teleconferencing links that routinely replace travel; smart cribs that
adjust room temperature based on a baby's body temperature changes; "wearable"
personal computers that fit into eyeglasses and pockets and allow the wearer to work from
anywhere; sensors and control devices that make lighting systems in buildings more
efficient; communications systems that help cars navigate around traffic jams and save
fuel, and precision-controlled automobile engines that help cars get up to 75 miles to the
gallon. Most significantly, all of these products can be used to protect Earth's climate. And the shape of things today: Not only are these technologies of the future, but in many cases, technologies already in the marketplace. While debate in the United States continues over how to forge an economically-sound climate policy, a number of leading electronics companies have already developed or are developing products that improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to a new study released today, these products are lowering costs for companies and their customers, and creating new market opportunities. "How information and electronics technologies change our environment will be the product of choices by industry, consumers, and the government," says Frances Irwin, a fellow at the World Resources Institute, and an author of the new report, Taking a Byte Out of Carbon: Electronics Innovation for Climate Protection. "We are convinced that the industry that launched the information revolution can make a big difference in tackling greenhouse gas emissions." The report was released jointly by the Washington, DC-based World Resources Institute (WRI), an international research organization focusing on issues of the environment and sustainability, the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA), a trade group of 2,100 companies representing the entire spectrum involved in the design and manufacture of electronic products, and the International Cooperative for Environmental Leadership (ICEL), a group of companies that works with governmental agencies and other stakeholders to advance state-of-the-art climate protective industrial technologies. Taking a Byte Out of Carbon illustrates how "intelligent technologies" place the electronics industry in a prime position to provide practical solutions to the climate challenge. These technologies have led to the development of products that more precisely calibrate energy use; make cars, appliances, buildings, airplane engines, and industrial processes more energy efficient; and assist in reducing the need for energy-intensive travel. By highlighting these activities the report hopes to increase awareness of climate protective technologies and stimulate further innovation. The report presents these innovations through profiles of 14 corporate initiatives that have developed "smart products" that also benefit the climate. Three underlying technologies are highlighted -- displays, bandwidth and sensors -- that help people work, live and produce goods and services in ways that emit fewer greenhouse gases. These companies include: AT&T Corporation, Canon, Honeywell Inc., IBM Corporation, Intel Corporation, Eastman Kodak Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Motorola Inc., Nortel, Panasonic, Sharp Corporation, Texas Instruments Incorporated, and United Technologies Corporation. The report highlights how electronic products reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save money, and create business opportunities, including: Two-thirds of the $200 billion spent annually on electricity in the United States is for homes and offices. Households contribute 20 percent of all CO2 emissions. Electric utilities, by using electronics to help homeowners control energy use more precisely, could help customers save $58 billion over the next 15 years. Honeywell has found business opportunities in applying its electronics expertise in sensors and building controls to managing energy more efficiently. It has cut its own energy use by 12 percent, while concurrently reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 37,000 tons annually. Honeywell expects annual savings of $4.6 million a year. Telecommuting, or teleworking, is another way to reduce energy use. Between 1990 and 1995, the number of telecommuters in the U.S. tripled from 3.6 million to 9.3 million, or close to 10 percent of the workforce. By the year 2000 this number is expected to grow to 25 percent of the total national workforce. AT&T estimates that its telework initiative of 36,000 workers saves 80,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually. At its global systems division in Morristown, NJ, the company estimates that its alternative work initiative will save $2.3 million ($460,000 annually) over five years, with the bulk of savings coming from reduced real estate costs. Drawing on its internal lessons from telework, AT&T is today positioned to sell more communications services as its business customers turn to telework to improve employee satisfaction and cut office costs. Taking a Byte Out of Carbon, which was coauthored by John Horrigan and Liz Cook, emphasizes that business leadership and commitment to technological advancement are essential to solving the climate change problem. The report concludes that as public policy (such as the Kyoto Protocol) or consumer preferences create incentives to use technology as a substitute for activities that emit carbon dioxide, the demand for these technologies will grow, and there will be business opportunities. This report is part of a series produced by WRI's Climate Protection Initiative -- a partnership between WRI and private firms to identify acceptable policies and business strategies for achieving strong climate protection goals. This institute-wide effort is motivated by the belief that there is a positive link between climate protection and a sound economy. The CPI's Electronics Leadership Project, initiated in 1997, is working with associations and firms to build commitment to increasing energy efficiency and enlarging markets for new systems of communication and transportation that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. - 30 - |
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