Transforming Telecommunication Networks for a Sustainable Society
Abstract
Telecommunications technologies have the potential to make our world greener and more sustainable. Alcatel-Lucent is committed to lead the industry in developing and deploying globally recognized innovation in eco-sustainable communications technologies that enable our customers to compete and win amidst growing environmental challenges and resource constraints. In implementing a corporate-wide approach to meet this commitment, we have factored environmental considerations into virtually every aspect of the company’s activities, taking a three-part approach: developing eco-sustainable networks; enabling a low-carbon economy; and reducing our carbon footprint. This presentation shows how Alcatel-Lucent is taking on this commitment. It also describes how metrics are an essential element in demonstrating success. In particular, life cycle assessment (LCA) is a fundamental practice for Alcatel-Lucent and for the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) industry to use when developing products that use materials, manufacturing processes and energy resources more efficiently and drive towards being a sustainable entity.
To effectively perform an LCA on ICT products that are complex and have extensive supply chains, focus was placed on developing an eco-impact estimator. The use of this LCA estimator can also be extended to ICT services and applications whereby the results can be applied to demonstrate ICT ‘s capabilities in providing for a low carbon economy and a sustainable society.
Tom Okrasinski is a Senior Manager of the Product Environmental Engineering Group in Alcatel-Lucent’s Bell Labs Chief Technology Office. In his 20 years of experience at Alcatel-Lucent, he has been committed to the development of eco-sustainable programs and processes for product innovation and development. This includes product environmental life cycle assessment, energy efficiency improvement, eco-beneficial materials research & advancement, and eco-sustainability metrics development.
Tom is leading a work group in the International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative, an electronics industry consortium, to develop a simplified life cycle assessment methodology and estimator tool, and advance data collection for ICT products. He is also developing guidance documents for the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Standards. The guidance will help practitioners assess greenhouse gas emissions from Information and Communication Technologies products and services over their life cycle.
Prior to Alcatel-Lucent, Tom worked for Metcalf and Eddy as an environmental engineering consultant; and also with Exxon Research and Engineering in their synthetic fuels research. He has a Bachelors and Masters degree in civil engineering from Drexel University, and is a licensed professional engineer and planner. He lives in Clinton, New Jersey, USA.
Date
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Agenda
Registration 6:00 PM
Dinner 6:30 PM
Program 7:30 PM
Location
Snuffy’s Restaurant
Mountain and Park Avenues, Scotch Plains
Price
Members and Guests …………………..……$25
Unemployed/Retired Section members …$15
Students………………………………………………..Free
Reservations
Call Andy Soos at (908) 604-2670 or e-mail at rsvp@njaiche.org by Friday 5/4/2012
Executive Committee Meeting
The Executive Committee meeting for May will be held on May 1st at Paisano’s Pizza at 6:30 pm. All members are welcome.
Future Meetings
Have you heard someone speak that would be of interest to our group? Would you like to speak? We’re interested in both technical and general interest presentations. Let us know.
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