Intellect, the trade association for the UK technology industry, has published an in-depth report examining the role of IT in tackling climate change.

The High Tech: Low Carbon report claims that energy use related to ICT accounts for two per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions.

However, the report warns that there could be a five-fold increase in ICT-related emissions, and a six-fold increase in emissions from the consumer electronics industry, by 2050.

On the upside, Intellect believes that the industry can exceed the target set by the CBI Climate Change Task Force for a 30 per cent improvement in the efficiency of electrical equipment by 2030.

"Indeed many products will exceed these targets by 2010," said the report. " These efficiency improvements will be related to products in 'on mode' and 'standby mode'."

The report pinpoints 26 technologies encompassing fields such as engineering and biotechnology that could be used to reduce carbon emissions. The report makes four main commitments to tackle climate change:

A systematic approach to monitor and measure emissions generated by products and services form the UK technology industry
Intellect is working with scientists and technology experts at the University of Warwick to develop a mechanism to help quantify ICT-related emissions.

Improved environmental performance throughout the technology supply chain
Intellect is developing a programme of guidance for its members on improving the energy efficiency of their business and manufacturing processes.

Stimulating and encouraging behavioural change
Intellect is building a web-based tool that will enable consumers to compare the energy efficiency and environmental credentials of a wide range of electronics products against their functionality and purchase price.

Identifying and accelerating the development of the best low carbon technologies
Intellect is creating a panel of technology experts from business and academia to work together to develop a comprehensive summary of the best opportunities for emissions reduction and how they might be optimised.

Companies including Microsoft, Intel, HP, Sharp, Fujitsu and Deloitte will spearhead Intellect's environment leadership group in a bid to meet these commitments.

"It is clear that there is considerable scope for improving the energy efficiency of ICT and consumer electronics products, irrespective of our sector size, our contribution to GDP or anything else," said Intellect director-general John Higgins.

"However, it should also be clear that the technology sector is embracing the challenge of energy efficiency and is producing better, faster, lighter devices that use less and less energy as the result of a continuous process of intensive research and development.

"But improving efficiency is not enough. We have to find ways completely to decouple economic growth from energy consumption. This is not an 'either or' scenario; we have to do both."