Cisco Helps Amsterdam Get The Dope On Carbon Emission

Authorities in Amsterdam are working with networking giant Cisco to create an online map of the city’s carbon emissions which residents can use to try and reduce their carbon footprints.

In a statement released this week, Cisco said that the Dutch city is rolling out its Urban EcoMap application, which will provide detailed information on carbon emissions and allow residents to compare their output with neighbouring districts or postal codes. The application was originally developed in San Francisco and, according to Cisco, residents in Amsterdam can even choose to compare their emissions with those of the US city.

“Sustainability is a hot topic in Amsterdam,” said Job Cohen, mayor, city of Amsterdam. “The Urban EcoMap is an easy way to raise awareness among the inhabitants of their urban area. It will increase the engagement of our citizens and show what one can do to improve the ambience in one’s own neighborhood.”

According to Wim Elfrink, chief globalisation officer and executive vice president, Cisco Services said that smarter use of technology could help improve the efficiency and sustainability of cities around the world. “We see the network as particularly key to addressing one of the 21st century’s most significant issues – environmental sustainability,” he said.

The announcement from Cisco follows the news from IBM this week that it is pushing the concept of business analytics as a way to develop a “smarter planet”. With the backing of UK business secretary Peter Mandelson, IBM is setting up a business analytics centre in the UK, which it believes will lead to the creation of new tech jobs as companies seek to analyse the information related to the roll-out of devices ranging from smart meters to vehicle telematics.

In July, Cisco and IBM announced that they are working with the Dutch utility Nuon and the city of Amsterdam to develop smart grid technology – part of a wider Amsterdam Smart City Initiative. Around 500 selected households will make use of smart metering and “home energy management technology”, which should help to cut C02 emissions by at least 14 percent according to the organisations.