One main priority for 2009 - 2010 is the inclusion of environmentally compliant technologies in the cities' development policies, together with the exchange of know-how and "best practices".

The member cities are fully aware of the ambivalent effects of ICT on climate. Indeed, ICT have become large contributors to global CO2 emissions in the last few years. Data centres for instance are particularly harmful to the environment and account for as much as up to 2% of the global CO2 emissions (surprisingly, it is as much as the aviation industry.) Such negative effects have to be fought against. The potential of ICT for the protection of the environment is huge. In many ways, ICT can contribute to reduce CO2 emissions. The GCD members consider it to be their duty.

For this reason, GCD decided to specialise in this field and seek for changes in the way we work and live, trying to decarbonise our daily life and all sectors of the economy. Some members are about to start international projects combining ICT and decrease in CO2 emissions, notably thanks to solar energy. All cities are concerned with this phenomenon and should be aware that global goals can only be reached if local players understand the stakes. In this area too, cooperation and partnerships are highly recommended, as for instance the “Green and Connected Cities” initiative by the World Digital Solidarity Agency.