Earlier this month the Global eSustainability Initiative (GESI) and the non-profit organisation Climate Group published a report entitled 'SMART 2020: Enabling the low carbon economy in the information age'. Presenting results from an analysis of the direct carbon footprint of the ICT sector, the report examines global emission reduction opportunities and strategies to overcome barriers hindering the full realisation of such.

The report concludes that the ICT sector plays a key role in creating a low carbon society globally, but relies on other sectors and the government for collaboration. Based on analysis supported by McKinsey & Company, the report estimates a significant growth of the sector's emissions over the coming years from 0.83 billion tonnes CO2-e today to 1.43 billion tonnes CO2-e in 2020 under a business as usual scenario.