Transformative Applications

Probably not enough participants so far…. But it should be as it is a great idea… Companies in the ICT sector should help promote this challenge as it is also a matter of credibility for the sector to come up with tangible examples on how ICT solutions, and in particular mobile applications, can help reduce CO2-emissions and support a resource efficient society.

More information here: http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/climatechange/greenict/201206/index.html

A report from the Broadband Commission highlights the role of ICT for climate action was just released.

Happy to see mentioning of “transformative” 16 times…

The potential for mobile application was however not highlighted very much, but as the target group is general policy makers it might be better to talk about solutions that are easy to understand. As long as the kind of solutions that are needed are encouraged they will be delivered.

Let’s hope that we will see more national strategies that integrate ICT/mobile connectivity to deliver both economic, social and environmental development.

Read the full report here.

Not sure if you need to be physically there to join (sounds stupid if you have to fly to Barcelona to develop smart ICT apps, but you never know… ;)) On top of that is not a lot of hackers or thought leaders attending GSMA Mobile World Congress, but click on the link to learn more.

Below is information and you can also check the ITU page: http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/climatechange/greenict/201206/index.html

Telefónica and ITU, will host a Hackathon in Barcelona, Spain, on 28-29 February 2012 during the GSMA Mobile World Congress.
The Hackathon is a marathon where developers create applications within a defined timeframe.
Developers coming from all over the world will gather and compete to propose and develop a “Sustainable Energy for All” ICT application.
The development of green ICT applications will help to promote technology transfer worldwide.
The best two green ICT applications will be awarded cash prizes on site on 29 February 2012:
1st winner: $3000
2nd winner: $2000

It is not much information about the challenge, but if understand it correctly you should submit the information below before the 13 April 2012 at 12:00 PM CET

More info here: http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/climatechange/greenict/201206/index.html
Here is the page where you can submit: http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/climatechange/greenict/201206/submission.html

All submissions must be submitted in English in an electronic format at the address mentioned in 4 above and include:
1. a detailed Concept Paper (maximum of 6,000 words) describing a new and innovative ICT application that would help combat climate change and reduce global energy intensity. The proposed application may be any kind of software tool, platform or game, be it for the web, a personal computer, tablet or a mobile device;
2. screenshots and diagrams illustrating the application’s proposed features and functions;
3. an implementation plan for the development of the application;
4. an explanation of how the idea would help combat climate change and provide an ICT solution to environmental or sustainability issues.

The evaluation criteria will be the following:
1. Object achievements – Does the proposed application as developed in the idea submitted contribute to the development of innovative new technologies to combat climate change?
2. Impact – How greatly does the proposed application benefit the environment?
3. Innovation – How inspired and original is the proposed application?
4. Implementation plan – How good is the plan to implement the proposed application? Is the application feasible?
5. Business Model – Would the proposed application be a viable, marketable option for companies? Is the proposed application widely adaptable throughout industries? Usability – Is it user-friendly and does it demonstrate the potential for development?
6. Preferences will be given to proposed applications that may assist developing countries address their environmental issues.

Great idea with Cleanweb Hackathon in New York. It is now over and the winners are nice but not transformative. It is all about incremental improvements. The winner, econofy, allow you to see the energy consumption of different products. Link to beta here: http://beta.econofy.com/

The others I have not been able to find in any working versions.
There is an screen shot of Green Carrot(only on flickr)

All the winners can be found here: http://cleanwebhack.com/hackathon/prizes/

It would be really great if next year could have a category with transformative impact. How to help people use virtual meeting instead of flying, encourage e-reading instead of dead-forest-reading, helping people to rebuild their houses/apartments so they become net producers of renewable energy, etc… We need these much more than we need those that help current bad solutions become slightly less bad… A 9 billion filter can be used to test them (what happen if 9 billion people would use the solution).

We need to move the “green/sustainable” hackatons from “nice” to “disruptive”…

e-Gov World 2012 invites VAS providers, researchers, Telecom Players, IT Players , civil society organizations and all the stakeholders to submit innovative ideas , applications and solutions for presentation during e-Gov World 2012. The selected application developers, VAS providers and researchers will be invited to participate and present during the conference. The best idea/application will be awarded a trophy and cash prize of INR 25,000 as well as opportunity to showcase the applications at Mobile Applications Lounge.

Please rush you entries ASAP to the conference secretariat. The conference details are available at www.egovworld.org

For queries, please contact Vikas Kanungo Convener- e-Gov World 2012 at vikaskanungo (a) egovindia.org

Very interesting app from Jawbone, adding and moving the health/transparency agenda forward. Interesting also as it is not obvious that a company moves in this direction, so congratulation to a company that looks beyond the obvious. Would be great if the benifits for the planet where included as well, but that might come in the 2.0 version? Read more here.

A very interesting initiative to support apps that are important.

Looking at the web page for the project and the list of areas covered it looks like smart transformative solutions that also support a low-carbon development will be accepted. The widespread use of mobile phones in many places in Africa makes it a perfect innovation hotspot for transformative low-carbon mobile applications.

I’m not sure why the U.S. Department of State write in the press statement that it is only about “African public awareness of climate change adaptation and U.S. involvement in Africa on these issues; support the development of civil society and private-sector networks; and highlight African solutions to local climate change adaptation challenges” . But I’m sure this was a mistake and that they also want to support smart low-carbon development (especially as many mobile applications brings both adaptation and mitigation benefits).

The link to the challenge: http://apps4africa.org/

The press release from U.S. Department of State can be found here.

CATEGORIES FOR ENTRY
> Agriculture (Distribution)
> Early Warning and/or Disaster Preparedness
> Resource Management
> Forestry/Deforestation
> Transportation/Traffic/Emissions
> Food Security
> Livestock
> Health and Sanitation

Not sure if this event will focus on the problem side with incremental solutions, or if it will be an opportunity to develop transformative solutions. The only thing written is “Developers, researchers, students, get together for working together hands-on developing ideas and prototypes for a sustainable and resilient future.”. In most cases I would think that was a boring event, but the combination ICT and sustainability is still new when it comes to software development.

So even if it is vague and the page looks quite boring, let’s hope something exciting will come out of the event. The page for the event is here and hopefully it will be more information as we get closer to the event. At least they are acknowledging the link between hacking and sustainable development.