Session
Organizer 1: Tiago Jun Nakamura Nakamura, 🔒
Organizer 2: Eduardo Barasal Morales, 🔒NIC.br
Organizer 3: Lucas Jorge da Silva, NIC.br
Organizer 4: Antonio Marcos Moreiras, 🔒
Organizer 5: Eunice Pérez Coello, 🔒ITMERIDA
Organizer 6: Nathalia Sautchuk Patricio, NRO Review Committee
Organizer 7: Jeffrey Llanto, CVISNET Foundation
Organizer 8: de Sousa Rufino Natalia, Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM)
Speaker 1: Eunice Pérez Coello, Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 2: Nathalia Sautchuk Patricio, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 3: Jeffrey Llanto, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Lucas Jorge da Silva, Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Eduardo Barasal Morales, Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
de Sousa Rufino Natalia, Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: The roundtable format ensures a more democratic activity, as the discussion requires as many inputs as possible from the different stakeholders and communities around the world. The issue discussed in this workshop is relevant to everyone, since the use of green standards will bring benefits that will affect various areas of human society, promoting the expansion of the Internet in a way that mitigates the problems caused to the environment and its consequences. 60 minutes is enough for this workshop, as each speaker can have up to 10 minutes to explain the issues from their stakeholder/region point of view, as well as up to 20 minutes of open mic for the audience to participate in the discussion. We will use an online quiz platform to guide the workshop through the policy questions, so the audience (both onsite and online) will have time to interact with the discussion.
A. In the context of the Internet collaborative ecosystem, what are the duties and obligations of each stakeholder contributing to network infrastructure in order to achieve a greener Internet? B. What are the multistakeholder challenges of moving towards a more sustainable Internet infrastructure and how does this influence the access of new users? C. How can we disseminate the idea of the importance of adopting green techniques and standards in order to encourage all stakeholders to adopt them in their networks?
What will participants gain from attending this session? The aim of this session is to raise awareness both internationally and collaboratively about the importance of using greener standards in the infrastructure of the Internet. While there is concern about environmental conservation and the effects of human action on it, there is little discussion about the impact of Internet infrastructure on environmental pollution. Due to the multi-stakeholder nature of the Internet, it is crucial that a broad spectrum of areas and agents participate in the discussion about a greener Internet. Therefore, participants attending the session are encouraged to debate and contribute by presenting their ideas and solutions to address the challenges of building a more ecologically sustainable Internet.
Description:
Concern for environmental preservation is shared by different stakeholders of the society, and the Internet is no exception. Keeping the Internet running requires a series of equipment, technologies, and infrastructures that mostly depend on electricity. Often, this energy comes from non-renewable sources, contributing to negative environmental impacts. In a globalized world like today's, access to the Internet is crucial, many human activities are carried out through it. Unfortunately, a portion of humanity still does not have access to all the benefits provided by the Internet. Therefore, it is necessary to expand Internet infrastructure to accommodate these new users. However, the increase in internet connectivity will demand more electricity, inevitably resulting in greater pollutant emissions as its expansion continues. With this in mind, there is a growing emphasis on the concept of green networking, which involves designing, implementing, and operating computer and telecommunications networks in a way that minimizes environmental harm while seeking more efficient use of resources in network infrastructures. The Internet is built through collaboration across various stakeholders (governments, academia, technology companies, internet service providers, among others). In each of these stakeholders, there are challenges and opportunities for improvement in terms of more efficient resource use. For example: the use of renewable energy sources to power a data center, the utilization of more efficient components in the manufacturing of network assets, or even the development of network protocols that use equipment resources more efficiently. Thus, there arises the need for a joint effort by all actors involved in building the Internet to discuss which practices, solutions, and innovations can be adopted with the aim of ensuring greater energy efficiency, more sustainable resource management, all without compromising crucial aspects of the Internet such as security, performance, and infrastructure expansion.
At the end of the session, our aim is for all participants to gain a greater awareness of how their actions in the internet infrastructure influence environmental changes. We hope that this knowledge will help stakeholders identify which current practices hinder the changes toward a more sustainable environment. It is expected that the insights raised will be used for the development of new working groups, debates, research, practices, technologies, and actions aimed at effective improvements in mitigating the adverse impacts caused by Internet infrastructure. With this outcome, we hope to anticipate the adoption of a multistakeholder approach to building a more sustainable Internet.
Hybrid Format: The discussion will be facilitated by the onsite moderator, who will utilize the quiz platform called Kahoot to present policy questions for debate among panelists and the audience. We previously employed this platform at Youth LACIGF 2023, yielding excellent results in enhancing audience interaction. Additionally, the online moderator will ensure that remote participants are adequately represented in the debate. Online participation and interaction will be conducted through the IGF online platform (Zoom). Attendees using Zoom, whether invited members of the debate or the general audience, will be given the opportunity to speak during the workshop. Those overseeing moderation will strive to foster engagement from both onsite and remote participants. Lastly, the presence of two moderators (one onsite and one online) will facilitate effective time management, a crucial aspect for the workshop's smooth operation.
Report
Collaboration is essential for a sustainable Internet. ISPs, governments, manufacturers, and consumers must work together to reduce environmental impact through energy-efficient operations, eco-friendly hardware, and recycling. Green technologies must also enhance affordability and accessibility, ensuring inclusion for underserved regions like Latin America, where basic solutions often remain out of reach.
Local insights and academia are vital for sustainable Internet practices. Regional studies and data-driven solutions tailored to specific challenges help address gaps in underserved areas. Governments, ISPs, and innovators must embrace smart strategies, such as energy-efficient networks and affordable green technologies, to ensure that no one is excluded from sustainability benefits.
Adopting green standards requires education, collaboration, and incentives. Green certifications, training, and recognition programs can promote widespread sustainable practices across the industry. Each step towards greener infrastructure contributes to combating climate change, proving that sustainable Internet practices are a crucial part of the global fight for environmental preservation.
Decision makers: must set clear sustainability benchmarks, incentivize renewable energy use, and promote public awareness for greener practices. Including local voices and data ensures relevance and inclusivity in decisions. By leading with these strategies, governments can drive impactful, sustainable changes in networking and beyond.
Private Sector: must prioritize energy-efficient, sustainable solutions that are both accessible and affordable. Investing in innovative systems like smart networks ensures scalability while minimizing environmental impact, driving the shift toward greener practices in the industry.