Session
Sustainability & Environment
Existing and New Technologies as Climate Solutions
Organizer 1: Ritu Srivastava, Jadeite Solutions
Speaker 1: Eshita Mukherjee, Technical Community, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 2: Leandro Navarro, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 3: Tadahisa Hamada, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Sanjana Sharma, Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group
Ritu Srivastava, Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group
Ritu Srivastava, Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group
Break-out Group Discussions - 90 Min
1. How can governments, private sector organizations, and communities incorporate climate resilience into the planning, design, and operation of critical digital infrastructure? 2. What policy frameworks and guidelines can support the integration of climate resilience measures? 3. How can the government and private sector support building disaster-resistant digital infrastructure? 4. How can international cooperation and collaboration be promoted to address the impact of climate change on digital infrastructure? 5. What policy frameworks can facilitate information sharing, best practices exchange, and joint initiatives among countries to tackle shared challenges? 6.How can governments incentivize and support organizations in adopting resilient infrastructure designs?
What will participants gain from attending this session? 1. Enhanced understanding of the intersection between climate change and critical digital infrastructure. They will learn about the specific risks and challenges that climate change poses to digital infrastructure such as communication networks, data centers, and local networks. 2. Provide comprehensive knowledge about the various vulnerabilities and risks associated with climate change. This knowledge will empower participants to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions. 3. Practical solutions and strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change on critical digital infrastructure. Participants will learn about adaptive network design principles, energy-efficient practices, and sustainable technologies that can be implemented to enhance the resilience and sustainability of digital systems. They will gain insights into innovative approaches and best practices from real-world case studies. 4. The session will conclude with a call to action, inspiring participants to take concrete steps in their respective roles and organizations.
Description:
Climate change is potentially one of the most potent factors in the recent future to cause irreversible changes in the world. The reliance on critical digital infrastructure, such as data centres, communication networks, and the local digital communication infrastructure, makes it vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. One of the primary concerns is the rising global temperatures. As temperatures increase, data centers and network equipment face challenges in maintaining optimal operating conditions. Heatwaves and extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and storms, can disrupt power supply, cause equipment failure, and lead to service outages. Moreover, several models have been developed to project average sea level rise. The models are based on a variety of empirical parameters including sea level rise over the past 100 years and the geographic features of coastal areas. The models predict significant incursions on coastal areas that imply the displacement of large human populations. The rapid advancement of technology and the increasing demand for internet connectivity have made the reliable functioning of internet infrastructure critical. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, understanding the impact of climate change on critical digital infrastructure is paramount. This session aims to delve into the intricate relationship between climate change and internet infrastructure. Here, we will showcase and discuss the findings of the research study ‘The impact of climate change on critical digital infrastructure' focusing on the connectivity issues that would rise due to climate change and its effects on the social and economic aspects of people’s life. Taking the Indian example – the session will analyse a range of evidence-based case studies, and we will explore how climate change impacts the connectivity landscape.
1. Based on the reflection of the policy discussions, the research study will be finalized, published, and shared with IGF's MAG Committee. 2. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the specific risks, vulnerabilities, and challenges that climate change poses to digital systems, leading to increased awareness of the urgency and importance of addressing these issues. 3. Generate policy recommendations and insights to address the impact of climate change on critical digital infrastructure. These recommendations can inform policymakers, stakeholders, and decision-makers in shaping effective policies and strategies. 4. It will conclude with a call to action, inspiring participants to take concrete steps in their respective roles and organizations. Overall, the outcomes of the session will contribute to increased awareness, knowledge sharing, policy recommendations, collaboration, and a call to action, thereby empowering participants to make a positive impact in building a climate-resilient and sustainable digital infrastructure for the future generation.
Hybrid Format: The session is designed in a hybrid format – having presence at the onsite and online participation. We will use virtual collaboration tools such as video conferencing platforms, chat rooms, or collaboration software like Slido that enable real-time interaction between onsite and online participants. We will also assign dedicated moderators or facilitators who can manage and coordinate the interaction between onsite and online participants. Online moderator will also monitor virtual chat rooms or question submission platforms, and relay questions, comments, or insights from online participants to the onsite speakers to ensure that the discussion remains inclusive and balanced. The onsite moderator will ensure sufficient time is allocated for both onsite and online interactions. Consider the potential time delays in receiving and responding to questions or comments from remote participants, and structure the session accordingly to allow for inclusive participation from all attendees.