MWC 2012: ITU And Telefonica Announce Green ICT Hackathon

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Spanish telecoms company Telefonica have announced two green IT challenges as part of their support for the UN’s International Year of Sustainable Energy for All.

The first will take place on 28 and 29 February at this year’s Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, during which developers will attempt to create innovative sustainable energy applications.

Commitment to sustainable energy

Cash prizes of $3,000 (£1,900) and $2,000 (£1,270) will be awarded to the winner and runner-up respectively. The Hackathon will also be supported by Nokia and will aim to bolster development of the most promising applications.

“Sustainable energy for all is crucial to the future of modern civilization,” said Dr Hamadoun Touré, ITU secretary-general, in a statement. “ITU is committed to stimulating the creation of innovative ICT apps founded on new modes of thinking; ideas to effect the change needed to achieve a sustainable future.”

The second initiative asks entrants to build upon existing innovations in green IT and submit a concept paper. Participants in the Green ICT Application Challenge will be required to produce an application, game or any other software tool as a proposed way to combat climate change and reduce global energy consumption.

The Application Challenge winner will be awarded $3,000 at a UN conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, in June.

“These initiatives have a double objective – first, to support developers with great ideas, and second, to foster green ICT applications for energy efficiency and sustainable development,” said Alberto Andreu Pinillos, chief reputation and sustainability officer at Telefonica, in a statement.