ITU-T L.1470: Greenhouse gas emissions trajectories for the ICT sector compatible with the UNFCCC Paris Agreement - Summary

Source

• Original file: brain/raw/ITU-T L.1470 (Greening Digital).md
• Ingested: 2026-06-15

Core Content

ITU-T L.1470 is a pivotal international standard that provides a science-based framework for calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emission trajectories for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector. Developed in coordination with the International Telecommunication Union, the Science Based Targets initiative, the gsma, and the Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative, the standard aligns ICT sector activities with the 1.5°C scenario established by the UNFCCC Paris Agreement.

The document establishes 2015 as the baseline year and offers projections for 2020, 2025, 2030, and 2050. It acknowledges the dual role of ICT: as a sector with a measurable first-order-effect and as a key enabler of decarbonization across the wider economy. By providing normative reference trajectories derived from IPCC P2 scenarios and methodologies like the Sectoral Decarbonization Approach, it empowers ICT organizations to set actionable, science-based targets for Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions.

Key Entities

• International Telecommunication Union
• UNFCCC
• IPCC
• Science Based Targets initiative
• Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative
• gsma
• International Energy Agency
• European Telecommunications Network Operators

Key Concepts

• ITU-T L.1470
• first-order-effect
• 1.5°C scenario
• Scope 1 emission
• Scope 2 emission
• Scope 3 emission
• Sectoral Decarbonization Approach
• Power Usage Effectiveness
• Circular economy
• Electricity budget
• Absolute contraction approach

Main Points

• Defines standardized GHG reduction trajectories for the ICT sector to remain within the 1.5°C climate warming limit.
• Utilizes 2015 as the baseline for performance tracking across networks, data centers, and end-user devices.
• Introduces two distinct accounting perspectives: one focused on life-cycle emissions and the other on corporate GHG Protocol standards.
• Emphasizes the integration of renewable energy and energy efficiency metrics, such as Power Usage Effectiveness, to drive decarbonization.
• Highlights the importance of the Circular economy and value chain management (Scope 3) in reducing the industry’s total environmental impact.