Sustainable and innovative products and technologies are needed to make information and communication technology (ICT) resource-conscious and energy-efficient. Standards and norms should help to drive environmentally friendly technological developments.
Individual FMD institutes are already actively involved in various committees and user groups to develop standards, norms, and guidelines in microelectronics and its applications.
As part of the Green ICT @ FMD project, the FMD research institutes are working in an expert group to discuss gaps in environmental standards for green ICT. In addition, the research institutes' expertise and results will be incorporated into existing standardization activities and committees as part of the project.
Goal: Strengthening the activities of norms, standards, and guidelines in the area of Green ICT
Activities:
- Preparation of Green ICT-relevant standardization activities
- Workshops on standardization activities in the field of green ICT
- Exchange with committees on environmental aspects in specific standardization activities
Specialized topics
Energy efficiency standards:
Standardization activities in the field of energy efficiency focus on the definition and implementation of energy efficiency standards for ICT devices and infrastructure. These standards aim to minimize the energy consumption of devices, data centers, and networks and to promote the development and use of more sustainable technologies.
Life cycle assessment standards:
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) evaluates the environmental impact of ICT products throughout their entire life cycle - from raw material extraction and production to use and disposal. The standardization of LCA practices helps quantify and compare the environmental impact of different technologies.
Standards for disposal and recycling:
Given the toxic substances and the valuable raw materials contained in ICT, standardization activities at the end of ICT's life cycle focus on responsible handling. This includes guidelines for the disposal and recycling of ICT to minimize the environmental impact and promote the circular economy.
Standards for sustainable design:
Standards in sustainable design include criteria for resource-optimized design, durability, reparability, and recyclability of products and promote the development and introduction of environmentally friendly technologies.
Measuring carbon footprint
Standardized methods for calculating and disclosing carbon emissions associated with ICT activities are used to assess and reduce their environmental impact.
Standards for raw material procurement:
Standards in raw material procurement help prevent the use of materials from unethical or environmentally harmful sources.