draft-iab-ws-environmental-impacts-report-00.txt   draft-iab-ws-environmental-impacts-report.txt 
IAB J. Arkko IAB J. Arkko
Internet-Draft Ericsson Internet-Draft Ericsson
Intended status: Informational C. Perkins Intended status: Informational C. Perkins
Expires: August 4, 2023 University of Glasgow Expires: September 14, 2023 University of Glasgow
S. Krishnan S. Krishnan
Cisco Cisco
January 31, 2023 March 13, 2023
Report from the IAB Workshop on Environmental Impact of Internet Report from the IAB Workshop on Environmental Impact of Internet
Applications and Systems, 2022 Applications and Systems, 2022
draft-iab-ws-environmental-impacts-report-00 draft-arkko-iab-ws-environmental-impacts-report-latest
Abstract Abstract
Internet communications and applications have both environmental Internet communications and applications have both environmental
costs and benefits. The IAB ran an online workshop in December 2022 costs and benefits. The IAB ran an online workshop in December 2022
on exploring and understanding these impacts. on exploring and understanding these impacts.
The role of the workshop was to discuss the impacts, discuss the The role of the workshop was to discuss the impacts, discuss the
evolving needs from industry, and to identify areas for improvements evolving needs from industry, and to identify areas for improvements
and future work. A key goal of the workshop was to call further and future work. A key goal of the workshop was to call further
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Internet-Drafts are working documents of the Internet Engineering Internet-Drafts are working documents of the Internet Engineering
Task Force (IETF). Note that other groups may also distribute Task Force (IETF). Note that other groups may also distribute
working documents as Internet-Drafts. The list of current Internet- working documents as Internet-Drafts. The list of current Internet-
Drafts is at http://datatracker.ietf.org/drafts/current/. Drafts is at http://datatracker.ietf.org/drafts/current/.
Internet-Drafts are draft documents valid for a maximum of six months Internet-Drafts are draft documents valid for a maximum of six months
and may be updated, replaced, or obsoleted by other documents at any and may be updated, replaced, or obsoleted by other documents at any
time. It is inappropriate to use Internet-Drafts as reference time. It is inappropriate to use Internet-Drafts as reference
material or to cite them other than as "work in progress." material or to cite them other than as "work in progress."
This Internet-Draft will expire on August 4, 2023. This Internet-Draft will expire on September 14, 2023.
Copyright Notice Copyright Notice
Copyright (c) 2023 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the Copyright (c) 2023 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the
document authors. All rights reserved. document authors. All rights reserved.
This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal
Provisions Relating to IETF Documents Provisions Relating to IETF Documents
(http://trustee.ietf.org/license-info) in effect on the date of (http://trustee.ietf.org/license-info) in effect on the date of
publication of this document. Please review these documents publication of this document. Please review these documents
carefully, as they describe your rights and restrictions with respect carefully, as they describe your rights and restrictions with respect
to this document. to this document.
1. Introduction 1. Table of Contents
1. Table of Contents
2. Introduction
3. Scope
3.1. Practical Arrangements
4. Workshop Topics and Discussion
4.1. The Big Picture
4.2. Understanding the Impacts
4.3. Improvements
4.4. Next Steps
4.4.1. Overall Strategy
4.4.2. Improvements
4.4.3. Actions
5. Feedback
6. Security Considerations
7. IANA Considerations
8. Position Papers
9. Program Committee
10. Workshop Participants
11. Informal References
Appendix A. IAB Members at the Time of Approval
Appendix B. Acknowledgments
2. Introduction
The IAB ran an online workshop in December 2022 on exploring and The IAB ran an online workshop in December 2022 on exploring and
understanding the environmental impacts of the Internet. understanding the environmental impacts of the Internet.
The background for the workshop was that Internet communications and The background for the workshop was that Internet communications and
applications have both environmental costs and benefits. In the applications have both environmental costs and benefits. In the
positive direction, they can reduce the environmental impact of our positive direction, they can reduce the environmental impact of our
society, for instance, by allowing virtual interaction to replace society, for instance, by allowing virtual interaction to replace
physical travel. Of course, the Internet can equally well act as an physical travel. Of course, the Internet can equally well act as an
enabler for increasing physical goods consumption, for instance, enabler for increasing physical goods consumption, for instance,
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The workshop drew many position paper submissions. Of these, 26 were The workshop drew many position paper submissions. Of these, 26 were
accepted and published to stimulate discussion. There were active accepted and published to stimulate discussion. There were active
discussions both in the meeting and on the workshop mailing list with discussions both in the meeting and on the workshop mailing list with
altogether 73 participants. altogether 73 participants.
Perhaps the main overriding observation is how much there is interest Perhaps the main overriding observation is how much there is interest
and urgency on this topic, among engineers, researchers, and and urgency on this topic, among engineers, researchers, and
businesses. businesses.
The workshop discussions and conclusions are covered in Section 3. The workshop discussions and conclusions are covered in Section 4.
The position papers, and links to recordings of workshop sessions, The position papers, and links to recordings of workshop sessions,
can be found at https://www.iab.org/activities/workshops/e-impact/. can be found at https://www.iab.org/activities/workshops/e-impact/.
Presentations held during the discussions can be found from the IETF Presentations held during the discussions can be found from the IETF
Datatracker at https://datatracker.ietf.org/group/eimpactws/ Datatracker at https://datatracker.ietf.org/group/eimpactws/
meetings/. meetings/.
The discussion at the IETF will continue after the workshop, both The discussion at the IETF will continue after the workshop, both
around specific proposals as well as general discussion on a new around specific proposals as well as general discussion on a new
mailing list, the e-impact list (e-impact@ietf.org). You can mailing list, the e-impact list (e-impact@ietf.org). You can
subscribe to this list at https://www.ietf.org/mailman/listinfo/ subscribe to this list at https://www.ietf.org/mailman/listinfo/
e-impact. e-impact.
Some improvements addressing specific situations are being discussed Some improvements addressing specific situations are being discussed
at the IETF, such as the Time Variant Routing (TVR) proposal that can at the IETF, such as the Time Variant Routing (TVR) proposal that can
help optimize connectivity with systems that are periodically on or help optimize connectivity with systems that are periodically on or
reachable (such as satellites). We expect more proposals in the reachable (such as satellites). We expect more proposals in the
future. future.
2. Scope 3. Scope
Environmental impact assessment and improvements are broad topics, Environmental impact assessment and improvements are broad topics,
ranging from technical questions to economics, business decisions, ranging from technical questions to economics, business decisions,
and policies. and policies.
The technical, standards, and research communities can help ensure The technical, standards, and research communities can help ensure
that we have a sufficient understanding of the environmental impact that we have a sufficient understanding of the environmental impact
of the Internet and its applications. They can also help to design of the Internet and its applications. They can also help to design
the right tools to continue to build and improve all aspects of the the right tools to continue to build and improve all aspects of the
Internet, such as addressing new functional needs, easing of Internet, such as addressing new functional needs, easing of
operations, improving performance and/or efficiency, or reducing operations, improving performance and/or efficiency, or reducing
environmental impacts in other ways. environmental impacts in other ways.
The workshop was expected to discuss: The workshop was expected to discuss:
o The direct environmental impacts of the Internet, including but o The direct environmental impacts of the Internet, including but
not limited to energy usage by Internet systems themselves, energy not limited to energy usage by Internet systems themselves (the
usage of the relevant end-user devices, resources needed for network equipment along with the associated power and cooling
manufacturing the associated devices, or the environmental impacts infrastructure), energy usage of the relevant end-user devices,
throughout the life-cycle of Internet systems. This included resources needed for manufacturing the associated devices, or the
discussion about the breakdown of those impacts across different environmental impacts throughout the life-cycle of Internet
system components and operations, and predictions about the systems. This included discussion about the breakdown of those
potential future trends for these impacts based on changed usage impacts across different system components and operations, and
patterns and emerging technologies. predictions about the potential future trends for these impacts
based on changed usage patterns and emerging technologies.
o Discussion of the indirect environmental impacts of the Internet, o Discussion of the indirect environmental impacts of the Internet,
i.e., its effects on society through enabling communications, i.e., its effects on society through enabling communications,
virtual services, or global commerce. virtual services, or global commerce.
o Sharing information about relevant measurement metrics and data, o Sharing information about relevant measurement metrics and data,
and identify the need for additional metric or measurements. and identify the need for additional metric or measurements.
o Discussing about the need for improvements or associated new o Discussing about the need for improvements or associated new
functionality. functionality.
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industry needs (e.g., deployment opportunities) and solutions. industry needs (e.g., deployment opportunities) and solutions.
Business and societal policy questions were in scope only insofar as Business and societal policy questions were in scope only insofar as
they inform the workshop participants about the context we are in, they inform the workshop participants about the context we are in,
but what those policies should be was not for the workshop to decide but what those policies should be was not for the workshop to decide
or even extensively discuss. The scope excluded also how the or even extensively discuss. The scope excluded also how the
technical community works and meets, such as the question of in- technical community works and meets, such as the question of in-
person or hybrid meetings (although it should be noted that the person or hybrid meetings (although it should be noted that the
workshop itself was run as an on-line meeting). workshop itself was run as an on-line meeting).
2.1. Practical Arrangements 3.1. Practical Arrangements
The IAB discussed a potential workshop in this area during its May The IAB discussed a potential workshop in this area during its May
2022 retreat. A call for position papers went out in August 2022. 2022 retreat. A call for position papers went out in August 2022.
Position papers were to be submitted by end of October, a deadline Position papers were to be submitted by end of October, a deadline
which was later extended by one week. which was later extended by one week.
As noted, the workshop itself was run as an on-line meeting, with As noted, the workshop itself was run as an on-line meeting, with
four half-day long sessions complemented by email discussions and the four half-day long sessions complemented by email discussions and the
position papers submitted by the participants. position papers submitted by the participants.
All in all, 73 people participated in at least one session in the All in all, 73 people participated in at least one session in the
workshop. Participation was by invitation only, based on the workshop. Participation was by invitation only, based on the
position paper submissions. position paper submissions.
Every submission was read by at least three members of the program
committee, and acceptance decisions were communicated back to the
authors. Review comments were provided for authors for information,
and some of the papers were revised before the workshop.
The program committee decided that due to interest and differing The program committee decided that due to interest and differing
areas of expertise, all co-authors were to be invited, and most of areas of expertise, all co-authors were to be invited, and most of
them did attend. The program committee also invited a handful of them did attend. The program committee also invited a handful of
additional participants, where they were seen as providing valuable additional participants, where they were seen as providing valuable
input. Similarly, as is traditional in IAB workshops, the program input. Similarly, as is traditional in IAB workshops, the program
committee members and members of the IAB and IESG were offered an committee members and members of the IAB and IESG were offered an
opportunity to participate even in cases where they did not submit a opportunity to participate even in cases where they did not submit a
position paper. position paper.
The IETF secretariat and communications staff provided practical The IETF secretariat and communications staff provided practical
support during the process, sending announcements, maintaining the support during the process, sending announcements, maintaining the
workshop web page with position papers, setting up mailing lists, workshop web page with position papers, setting up mailing lists,
tracking submissions, helping with blog article submissions, and so tracking submissions, helping with blog article submissions, and so
on. on.
3. Workshop Topics and Discussion 4. Workshop Topics and Discussion
The meeting part of the workshop was divided into four sessions: The meeting part of the workshop was divided into four sessions:
o The first session was about the big picture and relationships o The first session was about the big picture and relationships
between different aspects of sustainability (see Section 3.1). between different aspects of sustainability (see Section 4.1).
o The second session focused on what we know and do not know, and o The second session focused on what we know and do not know, and
how we can measure environmental impacts (see Section 3.2). how we can measure environmental impacts (see Section 4.2).
o The third session was about potential improvements (see o The third session was about potential improvements (see
Section 3.3). Section 4.3).
o The final fourth session was about conclusions and next steps (see o The final fourth session was about conclusions and next steps (see
Section 3.4). Section 4.4).
3.1. The Big Picture 4.1. The Big Picture
This session was about the big picture and how the Internet This session was about the big picture and how the Internet
influences the rest of the society. We also spoke about the goals of influences the rest of the society. We also spoke about the goals of
the workshop. the workshop.
The session began with a discussion about what is overall involved in The session began with a discussion about what is overall involved in
this topic. We also looked at how the IETF has approached this topic this topic. We also looked at how the IETF has approached this topic
in the past. in the past.
The discussions also expressed the urgency of action and the The discussions also expressed the urgency of action and the
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+---- Carbon +---- Mobile +---- Carbon +---- Mobile
| |
+---- Metrics +---- Metrics
| |
+---- Other +---- Other
Figure 1: Position paper submission topics Figure 1: Position paper submission topics
Some of the goals for the IETF should include: Some of the goals for the IETF should include:
o Connecting IETF with others. Given that the issue is broad, it is o Connecting the IETF with others. Given that the issue is broad,
difficult for one standards organisation alone to make a it is difficult for one standards organisation alone to make a
significant impact, or even have the full picture. Working in significant impact, or even have the full picture. Working in
collaboration others is necessary. And understanding the collaboration with others is necessary. And understanding the
situation beyond technology will be needed. situation beyond technology will be needed.
o Continuous improvement. It is important that the IETF (among o Continuous improvement. It is important that the IETF (among
others) sets itself on a continuous improvement cycle. No single others) sets itself on a continuous improvement cycle. No single
improvement will change the overall situation sufficiently, but improvement will change the overall situation sufficiently, but
over a longer period of time, even smaller changes every year will over a longer period of time, even smaller changes every year will
result in larger improvements. result in larger improvements.
o Finding the right targets for improvements in the Internet. These o Finding the right targets for improvements in the Internet. These
should perhaps not be solely defined by larger speeds or bigger should perhaps not be solely defined by larger speeds or bigger
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o Specifying what research needs to be done, i.e., where additional o Specifying what research needs to be done, i.e., where additional
knowledge would allow us to find better improvements. For knowledge would allow us to find better improvements. For
instance, not enough is known about environmental impacts beyond instance, not enough is known about environmental impacts beyond
energy, such as natural resources used for manufacturing, or the energy, such as natural resources used for manufacturing, or the
use of water. Carbon-awareness and measurements across domains is use of water. Carbon-awareness and measurements across domains is
also poorly understood today. And business model impacts - such also poorly understood today. And business model impacts - such
as the role of advertising on Internet's carbon footprint - as the role of advertising on Internet's carbon footprint -
deserve more study. deserve more study.
3.2. Understanding the Impacts 4.2. Understanding the Impacts
The second session focused on what we know and do not know, and how The second session focused on what we know and do not know, and how
we can measure environmental impacts. we can measure environmental impacts.
The initial presentation from focused on narrowing down the lower and The initial presentation focused on narrowing down the lower and
upper limits of the energy use of the Internet. There was also upper limits of the energy use of the Internet. There was also
discussion regarding the energy consumption of the ICT sector and how discussion regarding the energy consumption of the ICT sector and how
it compares to some other selected industries such as aviation. it compares to some other selected industries such as aviation.
Dwelling deeper into the energy consumption and the carbon footprint Dwelling deeper into the energy consumption and the carbon footprint
of the ICT sector there was discussion regarding how the impact was of the ICT sector there was discussion regarding how the impact was
split amongst the networks, data centres and user devices (with the split amongst the networks, data centres and user devices (with the
user devices appearing to contribute to the largest fraction of the user devices appearing to contribute to the largest fraction of the
impact). impact). Also, while lot of the energy consumption related studies
and discussions have been focused on data centers, some studies
suggested that data center energy usage is still a small fraction of
energy use as compared to residential and commercial buildings.
There were also further discussions both during the presentations and There were also further discussions both during the presentations and
in the hallway chats regarding the press and media coverage of the in the hallway chats regarding the press and media coverage of the
potential environment technologies. The overall sense of the potential environment technologies. The overall sense of the
participants seemed to be that there was a lot of sensational participants seemed to be that there was a lot of sensational
headlines, but they were not really backed by measurements done by headlines, but they were not really backed by measurements done by
the industry and academia, and were fraught with errors. Some of the industry and academia, and were fraught with errors. Some of
these media reports were off by quite a bit, sometimes even by an these media reports were off by quite a bit, sometimes even by an
order of magnitude (e.g., confusing MBps vs Mbps in calculations). order of magnitude (e.g., confusing MBps vs Mbps in calculations).
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offered load. There were also observations that showed that the offered load. There were also observations that showed that the
energy consumption grew as a step function when the peak capacity was energy consumption grew as a step function when the peak capacity was
reached (even instantaneously) and additional capacity was built up reached (even instantaneously) and additional capacity was built up
by performing network upgrades to handle these new peaks. This by performing network upgrades to handle these new peaks. This
resulted in a overall higher baseline energy consumption even when resulted in a overall higher baseline energy consumption even when
the average demand did not change that much. Thus, the ability to the average demand did not change that much. Thus, the ability to
shift load to reduce peak demand was highlighted as a potential way shift load to reduce peak demand was highlighted as a potential way
to delay increases in consumption when energy proportionality is to delay increases in consumption when energy proportionality is
lacking. lacking.
3.3. Improvements 4.3. Improvements
The third session was about potential improvements. The third session was about potential improvements.
As noted earlier, there are many different types of improvements. In As noted earlier, there are many different types of improvements. In
the discussion we focused mostly on protocol aspects, and looked at the discussion we focused mostly on protocol aspects, and looked at
metrics, telemetry, routing, multicast, and data encoding formats. metrics, telemetry, routing, multicast, and data encoding formats.
The initial two presentations focused on metrics and telemetry with The initial two presentations focused on metrics and telemetry with
the premise that visibility is a very important first step the premise that visibility is a very important first step
(paraphrasing Peter Drucker's mantra of "You cannot improve what you (paraphrasing Peter Drucker's mantra of "You cannot improve what you
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mitigate their environmental impact as well. The need for mitigate their environmental impact as well. The need for
standardized metrics was very clear as it helps avoid proprietary, standardized metrics was very clear as it helps avoid proprietary,
redundant and even contradictory metrics across vendors. redundant and even contradictory metrics across vendors.
The initial and the near-term focus was related to metrics and The initial and the near-term focus was related to metrics and
techniques related to energy consumption of the networking devices techniques related to energy consumption of the networking devices
themselves while the longer term focus can go into topics much themselves while the longer term focus can go into topics much
further removed from the IETF such as packaging, circular design in further removed from the IETF such as packaging, circular design in
order to form a more holistic picture. The overall feeling was that order to form a more holistic picture. The overall feeling was that
the topic of metrics, telemetry, and management are quite specific the topic of metrics, telemetry, and management are quite specific
and could be targets to be worked in the IETF in the near term. and could be targets to be worked on in the IETF in the near term.
The next part of the discussion highlighted the need to understand The next part of the discussion highlighted the need to understand
the trade-offs involved in changing forwarding decisions - such as the trade-offs involved in changing forwarding decisions - such as
increased stretch and jitter. This points to the need for careful increased jitter and stretch. Jitter is about delay fluctuation
design and analysis of improvements from a system perspective, to between packets in a stream [RFC4689]. Stretch is defined as the
ensure that the intended effect is indeed reached across the entire difference between the absolute shortest path traffic could take
system, and is not only a local optima. through the network and the path the traffic actually takes
[RFC7980]. Impacts on jitter and stretch point to the need for
careful design and analysis of improvements from a system
perspective, to ensure that the intended effect is indeed reached
across the entire system, and is not only a local optimum.
We also talked about the potentially significant impact of using We also talked about the potentially significant impact of using
efficiency binary formats when carrying data in protocols. This is efficient binary formats instead of textual representations when
something that can be relatively easily adopted in new protocols as carrying data in protocols. This is something that can be relatively
they are developed. Indeed, some recently finished protocols such as easily adopted in new protocols as they are developed. Indeed, some
HTTP/2 have already chosen to use this technique. recently finished protocols such as HTTP/2 have already chosen to use
this technique [RFC7540]. General-purpose binary formats such as
Concise Binary Object Representation (CBOR) [RFC8949] are also
available for use.
There were also some interesting discussions regarding the use of There were also some interesting discussions regarding the use of
multicast and whether it would help or hurt on the energy efficiency multicast and whether it would help or hurt on the energy efficiency
of communications. There were some studies and simulations that of communications. There were some studies and simulations that
showed the potential gains to be had but were to be balanced against showed the potential gains to be had but they were to be balanced
some of the well known barriers to deployment of multicast. We also against some of the well known barriers to deployment of multicast.
heard from a leading CDN operator regarding their views on multicast We also heard from a leading Content Delivery Network (CDN) operator
and how it relates to media usage and consumption models. The regarding their views on multicast and how it relates to media usage
hallway conversations also talked about the potential negative and consumption models. The hallway conversations also talked about
effects of multicast in wireless and constrained networks. Overall the potential negative effects of multicast in wireless and
the conclusion was that the use of multicast can potentially provide constrained networks. Overall the conclusion was that the use of
some savings but only in some specific scenarios. multicast can potentially provide some savings but only in some
specific scenarios.
For all improvements, the importance of metrics was frequently For all improvements, the importance of metrics was frequently
highlighted to ensure changes lead to a meaningful reduction in highlighted to ensure changes lead to a meaningful reduction in
overall system carbon footprint. overall system carbon footprint.
3.4. Next Steps 4.4. Next Steps
The final fourth session was about conclusions and next steps. This The final fourth session was about conclusions and next steps. This
section highlights some of these conclusions. section highlights some of these conclusions.
3.4.1. Overall strategy 4.4.1. Overall Strategy
While only a few things are easy, the road ahead for making While only a few things are easy, the road ahead for making
improvements seems clear: we need to continue to improve our improvements seems clear: we need to continue to improve our
understanding of the environmental impact, and have a continuous understanding of the environmental impact, and have a continuous
cycle of improvements that lead not just to better energy efficiency cycle of improvements that lead not just to better energy efficiency
but to reduced overall carbon emissions. The IETF can play an but to reduced overall carbon emissions. The IETF can play an
important part in this process, but of course there are other aspects important part in this process, but of course there are other aspects
beyond protocols. beyond protocols.
On understanding our environmental impact the first step is better On understanding our environmental impact the first step is better
awareness of sustainability issues in general, which helps us awareness of sustainability issues in general, which helps us
understand better where our issues are. The second step is understand better where our issues are. The second step is
willigness to understand in detail what the causes and relationships willigness to understand in detail what the causes and relationships
within our issues. What parts, components, or behaviours in the are within our issues. What parts, components, or behaviours in the
network cause what kinds of impacts? An overall drive in the society network cause what kinds of impacts? An overall drive in the society
to report and improve environmental impacts can be helpful in to report and improve environmental impacts can be helpful in
creating a willingness to get to this information. creating a willingness to get to this information.
On establishing a continuous cycle of improvements, the ability to On establishing a continuous cycle of improvements, the ability to
understand where we are, making improvements, and then seeing the understand where we are, making improvements, and then seeing the
impact of those improvements is of course central. But obviously a impact of those improvements is of course central. But obviously a
key question is what are the potential improvements, and how can we key question is what are the potential improvements, and how can we
accelerate them? It should be noted that quick, large changes are accelerate them? It should be noted that quick, large changes are
not likely. But a continuous stream of smaller changes can create a not likely. But a continuous stream of smaller changes can create a
large impact over a longer period of time. large impact over a longer period of time.
3.4.2. Improvements One of the key realizations from this workshop was that the problem
to be solved is very large, complex and that there is no single
solution that fixes everything. There are some solutions that could
help in the near term and others that would only show benefits over
longer periods, but they are both necessary.
In looking at potential improvements, it is essential that the One further challenge is that due to the size and complexity of the
associated tradeoffs can be understood, and that the role of the problem, it was very likely that there might be varying opinions on
Internet in improving other areas of society is not diminished. For what KPIs need to be measured and improved.
4.4.2. Improvements
In looking at potential improvements, it is essential that any
associated tradeoffs can be understood (note that not all
improvements do indeed entail a tradeoff). The role of the Internet
in improving other areas of society must not be diminished." For
instance, discussion in session three revealed how some changes might instance, discussion in session three revealed how some changes might
impact latency and jitter. Given that these characteristics are an impact latency and jitter. Given that these characteristics are an
important factor how virtual meetings are perceived by potential important factor how virtual meetings are perceived by potential
participants, it is important that the performance of networks participants, it is important that the performance of networks
satisfies these participants at a level where there's willingness to satisfies these participants at a level where there's willingness to
use them over other potentially more environmentally harmful methods, use them over other potentially more environmentally harmful methods,
such as travel. such as travel.
Note that while virtual meetings are a common example, important to Note that while virtual meetings are a common example, it is
consider different use cases, some of which may not be as obvious to important to consider different use cases, some of which may not be
us human users as meetings are. Improvements may bring different or as obvious to us human users as meetings are. Improvements may bring
even larger impacts in other situations, e.g., Internet connected different or even larger impacts in other situations, e.g., Internet
electronics might benefit from different characteristics than human connected electronics might benefit from different characteristics
users, e.g., with regards to support for intermittent connectivity. than human users, e.g., with regards to support for intermittent
connectivity.
The relationships between different system components and the impact The relationships between different system components and the impact
of various detailed design choices in network is not always apparent. of various detailed design choices in networks is not always
A local change in one node may have an impact in other nodes. When apparent. A local change in one node may have an impact in other
considering environmental sustainability, in most cases the overall nodes. When considering environmental sustainability, in most cases
system impact is what counts more than local impacts. Of course, the overall system impact is what counts more than local impacts. Of
other factors, such as device battery life and availability of power course, other factors, such as device battery life and availability
may result in other preferences, such as optimising for low power of power may result in other preferences, such as optimising for low
usage of end-user devices, even at the cost of increases elsewhere. power usage of end-user devices, even at the cost of increases
elsewhere.
In terms of useful tools for building improvements, the following In terms of useful tools for building improvements, the following
were highlighted in discussions: were highlighted in discussions:
o Masures beyond protocol design, such as implementations or o Masures beyond protocol design, such as implementations or
renewable energy use. Not everything is about protocols. renewable energy use. Not everything is about protocols.
o Metrics, measurements, and data are very beneficial. Carbon-aware o Metrics, measurements, and data are very beneficial. Carbon-aware
metrics would in particular be very useful. All additional metrics would in particular be very useful. All additional
information makes us more aware of what the environmental impacts information makes us more aware of what the environmental impacts
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o When we design systems, paying attention to the used data formats o When we design systems, paying attention to the used data formats
may pay off significantly, as argued in [Moran]. may pay off significantly, as argued in [Moran].
o Possibly there's a new opportunity for deploying multicast as well o Possibly there's a new opportunity for deploying multicast as well
[Navarre]. [Navarre].
o Designing systems for energy constrained situations may actually o Designing systems for energy constrained situations may actually
make the resulting systems work well in several environments. make the resulting systems work well in several environments.
3.4.3. Actions 4.4.3. Actions
The workshop discussed a number of possible actions. These actions The workshop discussed a number of possible actions. These actions
are not about how to take specific technical solutions forward, but are not about how to take specific technical solutions forward, but
rather about how to discuss the topic going forward or what technical rather about how to discuss the topic going forward or what technical
areas to focus on: areas to focus on:
o We need to continue the discussion - not all questions are o We need to continue the discussion - not all questions are
answered. Additional discussion within the IETF will be needed. answered. Additional discussion within the IETF will be needed.
Continuing to connect the IETF with others in society and other Continuing to connect the IETF with others in society and other
SDOs around this topic is also useful. SDOs around this topic is also useful.
o It is useful to find a role and a scope for IETF work in this o It is useful to find a role and a scope for IETF work in this
area. IETF will not develop alternative energy sources, work on area. The IETF will not develop alternative energy sources, work
social issues or have detailed discussions about implementation on social issues or have detailed discussions about implementation
strategies or electronics design. However, IETF has a role in strategies or electronics design. However, the IETF has a role in
measurement mechanisms, protocol design and standards - but of measurement mechanisms, protocol design and standards - but of
course activities in this role need to be aware of other aspects, course activities in this role need to be aware of other aspects,
such as implementation strategies. such as implementation strategies.
o There are IETF activities on specific technologies are already o Increase our understanding of the environmental impacts of
ongoing/starting, such as metrics, or the new Time Variant Routing Internet technologies. One discussion topic during the workshop
(TVR) working group. It may be useful to start from picking the was also whether each new RFC should dedicate a section to discuss
low-hanging fruits, such as focusing on the use of efficient data the these impacts. No conclusion was drawn about the way to
formats, avoiding crypto assets, and being able to carry document these in RFCs, but it is clear that the IETF community
information that needs to be shared for the purposes of enabling will need to understand the environmental issues better. (Perhaps
load and time shifting. in addition to learning about the actual issues, guidelines for
analysing protocols with regards to their impacts could be
useful.)
o IETF activities on specific technologies are already ongoing or
starting, such as metrics discussed, for instance, at the NMRG
research group [NMRG] or the OPSAWG working group [OPSAWG], or the
new Time Variant Routing (TVR) working group [TVR]. It may be
also useful to start from picking the low-hanging fruits, such as:
* Focusing on the use of efficient data formats.
* Avoiding crypto assets - such as Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and
cryptocurrencies.
* Being able to carry information that needs to be shared for the
purposes of enabling load and time shifting.
o Help initiate research activities that address some of the issues, o Help initiate research activities that address some of the issues,
such as broader gathering and sharing of measurement data, such as broader gathering and sharing of measurement data,
analysis of this data and looking business related issues such as analysis of this data and looking at business related issues such
the impact of peering or advertising impacts sustainability. In as the impact of peering or advertising impacts sustainability.
addition, there may be need to look at research for specific areas In addition, there may be a need to look at research for specific
of improvements that are promising but not ready for standards areas of improvements that are promising but not ready for
discussion. standards discussion.
In summary, the goals that the IETF should have include: In summary, the goals that the IETF should have include:
o Full understanding of Internet's environmental impact o Full understanding of the Internet's environmental impact.
o Continuous improvement of our technology. o Continuous improvement of our technology.
o Launching research relevant activities. o Launching research relevant activities.
4. Feedback 5. Feedback
The organizers received generally positive feedback about the The organizers received generally positive feedback about the
workshop. workshop.
One practical issue from the organizer's point of view was that due One practical issue from the organizer's point of view was that due
to the extension of the deadline, the final submissions and paper to the extension of the deadline, the final submissions and paper
reviews collided in part with the IETF-115 meeting. This lead to it reviews collided in part with the IETF-115 meeting. This led to it
being very difficult for the program committee and practical being very difficult for the program committee and practical
organization staff to find time for the activity. We recommend organization staff to find time for the activity. We recommend
avoiding such collisions in the future. avoiding such collisions in the future.
5. Security Considerations 6. Security Considerations
The workshop itself did not address specific security topics. Of The workshop itself did not address specific security topics. Of
course, individual changes in Internet technology or operations that course, individual changes in Internet technology or operations that
influence environmental impacts may also influence security aspects. influence environmental impacts may also influence security aspects.
These need to be looked at for every proposed change. These need to be looked at for every proposed change.
Such influence on security may come in different forms. For Such influence on security may come in different forms. For
instance: instance:
o Streamlining what data is sent may improve privacy if less o A mechanism that makes, for instance, energy consumption
information is shared. information available may be susceptible to tampering or providing
false information. For instance, [McDaniel] argues that economics
o A mechanism that makes energy consumption information available and history shows that different players will attempt to cheat if
may be susceptible to tampering or providing false information. a benefit can be acrued by doing so, e.g., by misreporting. As a
result, sustainability measures and systems must be modeled as
systems under threat.
o A mechanism that allows control of network elements for o A mechanism that allows control of network elements for
optimization purposes may be misused to cause denial-of-service or optimization purposes may be misused to cause denial-of-service or
other types of attacks. other types of attacks.
6. IANA Considerations o Avoiding the use of crypto assets where other mechanisms suffice.
o Streamlining what data is sent may improve privacy if less
information is shared.
7. IANA Considerations
This document has no IANA actions. This document has no IANA actions.
7. Position Papers 8. Position Papers
The following position papers were submitted to the workshop: The following position papers were submitted to the workshop:
o Chris Adams, Stefano Salsano, Hesham ElBakoury: "Extending IPv6 to o Chris Adams, Stefano Salsano, Hesham ElBakoury: "Extending IPv6 to
support Carbon Aware Networking" [Adams] support Carbon Aware Networking" [Adams]
o Per Anderson, Suresh Krishnan, Jan Lindblad, Snezana Mitrovic, o Per Anderson, Suresh Krishnan, Jan Lindblad, Snezana Mitrovic,
Marisol Palmero, Esther Roure, Gonzalo Salgueiro: "Sustainability Marisol Palmero, Esther Roure, Gonzalo Salgueiro: "Sustainability
Telemetry" [Anderson] Telemetry" [Anderson]
skipping to change at page 15, line 36 skipping to change at page 16, line 42
Energy Efficiency at Service-level in Edge Cloud" [Kostentinos] Energy Efficiency at Service-level in Edge Cloud" [Kostentinos]
o Pascal Thubert: "Digital Twin and Automation" [Thubert] o Pascal Thubert: "Digital Twin and Automation" [Thubert]
o Wim Vanderbauwhede: "Frugal Computing" [Vanderbauwhede] o Wim Vanderbauwhede: "Frugal Computing" [Vanderbauwhede]
o Michael Welzl, Ozgu Alay, Peyman Teymoori, Safiqul Islam: o Michael Welzl, Ozgu Alay, Peyman Teymoori, Safiqul Islam:
"Reducing Green House Gas Emissions With Congestion Control" "Reducing Green House Gas Emissions With Congestion Control"
[Welzl] [Welzl]
8. Program Committee 9. Program Committee
The program committee members were: The program committee members were:
o Jari Arkko, Ericsson (program committee co-chair) o Jari Arkko, Ericsson (program committee co-chair)
o Lars Eggert, Netapp (program committee co-chair) o Lars Eggert, Netapp (program committee co-chair)
o Colin Perkins, University of Glasgow (program committee co-chair) o Colin Perkins, University of Glasgow (program committee co-chair)
o Luis M. Contreras, Telefonica o Luis M. Contreras, Telefonica
skipping to change at page 15, line 47 skipping to change at page 17, line 4
The program committee members were: The program committee members were:
o Jari Arkko, Ericsson (program committee co-chair) o Jari Arkko, Ericsson (program committee co-chair)
o Lars Eggert, Netapp (program committee co-chair) o Lars Eggert, Netapp (program committee co-chair)
o Colin Perkins, University of Glasgow (program committee co-chair) o Colin Perkins, University of Glasgow (program committee co-chair)
o Luis M. Contreras, Telefonica o Luis M. Contreras, Telefonica
o Toerless Eckert, Futurewei o Toerless Eckert, Futurewei
o Martin Flack, Akamai o Martin Flack, Akamai
o Mike Mattera, Akamai o Mike Mattera, Akamai
o Barath Raghavan, USC o Barath Raghavan, USC
o Daniel Schien,University of Bristol o Daniel Schien,University of Bristol
o Eve M. Schooler, Intel o Eve M. Schooler, Intel
o Rick Taylor, Ori Industries o Rick Taylor, Ori Industries
9. Workshop Participants 10. Workshop Participants
The participants who attended at least one of the four sessions were: The participants who attended at least one of the four sessions were:
o Alex Clemm o Alex Clemm
o Ali Rezaki o Ali Rezaki
o Arif Ahmed o Arif Ahmed
o Beatrice Siccardi o Beatrice Siccardi
skipping to change at page 16, line 45 skipping to change at page 18, line 4
o Chris Adams o Chris Adams
o Colin Perkins o Colin Perkins
o Daniel Schien o Daniel Schien
o Dawn Nafus o Dawn Nafus
o Dom Robinson o Dom Robinson
o Eric Voit o Eric Voit
o Eric Vyncke o Eric Vyncke
o Esther Roure Vila o Esther Roure Vila
o Eve Schooler
o Eve M. Schooler
o Fieke Jansen o Fieke Jansen
o Franco Davoli o Franco Davoli
o Gonzalo Salgueiro o Gonzalo Salgueiro
o Greg Mirsky o Greg Mirsky
o Henk Birkholz o Henk Birkholz
skipping to change at page 19, line 18 skipping to change at page 20, line 24
o Tirumaleswar Reddy o Tirumaleswar Reddy
o Toerless Eckert o Toerless Eckert
o Uri Cummings o Uri Cummings
o Vesna Manojlovic o Vesna Manojlovic
o Wim Vanderbauwhede o Wim Vanderbauwhede
10. Informative References 11. Informative References
[RFC4689] Poretsky, S., Perser, J., Erramilli, S., and S. Khurana,
"Terminology for Benchmarking Network-layer Traffic
Control Mechanisms", RFC 4689, DOI 10.17487/RFC4689,
October 2006, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc4689>.
[RFC7540] Belshe, M., Peon, R., and M. Thomson, Ed., "Hypertext
Transfer Protocol Version 2 (HTTP/2)", RFC 7540,
DOI 10.17487/RFC7540, May 2015, <https://www.rfc-
editor.org/info/rfc7540>.
[RFC7980] Behringer, M., Retana, A., White, R., and G. Huston, "A
Framework for Defining Network Complexity", RFC 7980,
DOI 10.17487/RFC7980, October 2016, <https://www.rfc-
editor.org/info/rfc7980>.
[RFC8949] Bormann, C. and P. Hoffman, "Concise Binary Object
Representation (CBOR)", STD 94, RFC 8949,
DOI 10.17487/RFC8949, December 2020, <https://www.rfc-
editor.org/info/rfc8949>.
[Adams] Adams, C., Salsano, S., and H. ElBakoury, "Extending IPv6 [Adams] Adams, C., Salsano, S., and H. ElBakoury, "Extending IPv6
to support Carbon Aware Networking", Position paper in the to support Carbon Aware Networking", Position paper in the
IAB Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Internet IAB Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Internet
Applications and Systems, December 2022. Applications and Systems, December 2022.
[Anderson] [Anderson]
Anderson, P., Krishnan, S., Lindblad, J., Mitrovic, S., Anderson, P., Krishnan, S., Lindblad, J., Mitrovic, S.,
Palmero, M., Roure, E., and G. Salgueiro, "Sustainability Palmero, M., Roure, E., and G. Salgueiro, "Sustainability
Telemetry", Position paper in the IAB Workshop on Telemetry", Position paper in the IAB Workshop on
skipping to change at page 19, line 44 skipping to change at page 21, line 24
Challenges", Position paper in the IAB Workshop on Challenges", Position paper in the IAB Workshop on
Environmental Impacts of Internet Applications and Environmental Impacts of Internet Applications and
Systems, December 2022. Systems, December 2022.
[Bolla] Bolla, R., Bruschi, R., Davoli, F., Lombardo, C., and . [Bolla] Bolla, R., Bruschi, R., Davoli, F., Lombardo, C., and .
Beatrice Siccardi, "6Green: Green Technologies for 5/6G Beatrice Siccardi, "6Green: Green Technologies for 5/6G
Service- Based Architectures", Position paper in the IAB Service- Based Architectures", Position paper in the IAB
Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Internet Applications Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Internet Applications
and Systems, December 2022. and Systems, December 2022.
[Clemm] Clemm, A., Westphal, C., Tantsura, J., Ciavaglia, L., and [Clemm] Clemm, A., Westphal, C., Tantsura, J., Ciavaglia, L.,
M. Odini, "Challenges and Opportunities in Green Odini, M., and M. Welzl, "Challenges and Opportunities in
Networking", Position paper in the IAB Workshop on Green Networking", Position paper in the IAB Workshop on
Environmental Impacts of Internet Applications and Environmental Impacts of Internet Applications and
Systems, December 2022. Systems, December 2022.
[Eckert] Eckert, T., Boucadair, M., Thubert, P., and J. Tantsura, [Eckert] Eckert, T., Boucadair, M., Thubert, P., and J. Tantsura,
"IETF and Energy - An Overview", Position paper in the IAB "IETF and Energy - An Overview", Position paper in the IAB
Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Internet Applications Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Internet Applications
and Systems, December 2022. and Systems, December 2022.
[GOS] Greening of Streaming, ., "Tune In. Turn On. Cut Back. [GOS] Greening of Streaming, ., "Tune In. Turn On. Cut Back.
Finding the optimal streaming 'default' mode to increase Finding the optimal streaming 'default' mode to increase
skipping to change at page 20, line 32 skipping to change at page 22, line 10
[Jansen] Jansen, F. and M. Richman, "Environment, internet [Jansen] Jansen, F. and M. Richman, "Environment, internet
infrastructure, and digital rights", Position paper in the infrastructure, and digital rights", Position paper in the
IAB Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Internet IAB Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Internet
Applications and Systems, December 2022. Applications and Systems, December 2022.
[King] King, M., Krishnan, S., Pignataro, C., Thubert, P., and E. [King] King, M., Krishnan, S., Pignataro, C., Thubert, P., and E.
Voit, "On Principles for a Sustainability Stack", Position Voit, "On Principles for a Sustainability Stack", Position
paper in the IAB Workshop on Environmental Impacts of paper in the IAB Workshop on Environmental Impacts of
Internet Applications and Systems, December 2022. Internet Applications and Systems, December 2022.
[Kostentinos]
Tesfatsion, S., Cai, X., and A. Ahmed, "End-to-end Energy
Efficiency at Service-level in Edge Cloud", Position paper
in the IAB Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Internet
Applications and Systems, December 2022.
[Krishnan] [Krishnan]
Krishnan, S. and C. Pignataro, "Sustainability Krishnan, S. and C. Pignataro, "Sustainability
considerations for networking equipment", Position paper considerations for networking equipment", Position paper
in the IAB Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Internet in the IAB Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Internet
Applications and Systems, December 2022. Applications and Systems, December 2022.
[McDaniel]
McDaniel, P., "Sustainability is a Security Problem", ACM
Conference on Computer and Communications Security (CCS) ,
November 2022.
[Manner] Manner, J., "Sustainability Considerations", Position [Manner] Manner, J., "Sustainability Considerations", Position
paper in the IAB Workshop on Environmental Impacts of paper in the IAB Workshop on Environmental Impacts of
Internet Applications and Systems, December 2022. Internet Applications and Systems, December 2022.
[Manojlovic] [Manojlovic]
Manojlovic, V., "Internet Infrastructure and Climate Manojlovic, V., "Internet Infrastructure and Climate
Justice", Position paper in the IAB Workshop on Justice", Position paper in the IAB Workshop on
Environmental Impacts of Internet Applications and Environmental Impacts of Internet Applications and
Systems, December 2022. Systems, December 2022.
skipping to change at page 21, line 21 skipping to change at page 23, line 10
[Moran] Moran, B., Birkholz, H., and C. Bormann, "CBOR is Greener [Moran] Moran, B., Birkholz, H., and C. Bormann, "CBOR is Greener
than JSON", Position paper in the IAB Workshop on than JSON", Position paper in the IAB Workshop on
Environmental Impacts of Internet Applications and Environmental Impacts of Internet Applications and
Systems, December 2022. Systems, December 2022.
[Navarre] Navarre, L., Michel, F., and O. Bonaventure, "It is time [Navarre] Navarre, L., Michel, F., and O. Bonaventure, "It is time
to reconsider multicast", Position paper in the IAB to reconsider multicast", Position paper in the IAB
Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Internet Applications Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Internet Applications
and Systems, December 2022. and Systems, December 2022.
[NMRG] IRTF, ., "Network Management Research Group (NMRG)", IRTF
Research Group, see https://irtf.org/nmrg, March 1999.
[Nordman] Nordman, B., "Applying Internet Architecture to Energy [Nordman] Nordman, B., "Applying Internet Architecture to Energy
Systems", Position paper in the IAB Workshop on Systems", Position paper in the IAB Workshop on
Environmental Impacts of Internet Applications and Environmental Impacts of Internet Applications and
Systems, December 2022. Systems, December 2022.
[OPSAWG] IETF, ., "Operations and Management Area Working Group
(OPSAWG)", IETF Working Group, see
https://datatracker.ietf.org/wg/opsawg/about/, June 2007.
[Retana] Retana, A., White, R., and M. Paul, "A Framework and [Retana] Retana, A., White, R., and M. Paul, "A Framework and
Requirements for Energy Aware Control Planes", Position Requirements for Energy Aware Control Planes", Position
paper in the IAB Workshop on Environmental Impacts of paper in the IAB Workshop on Environmental Impacts of
Internet Applications and Systems, December 2022. Internet Applications and Systems, December 2022.
[Robinson] [Robinson]
Robinson, S., Hellstern, R., and M. Diaz, "Sea Change: Robinson, S., Hellstern, R., and M. Diaz, "Sea Change:
Prioritizing the Environment in Internet Architecture", Prioritizing the Environment in Internet Architecture",
Position paper in the IAB Workshop on Environmental Position paper in the IAB Workshop on Environmental
Impacts of Internet Applications and Systems, December Impacts of Internet Applications and Systems, December
skipping to change at page 22, line 5 skipping to change at page 23, line 47
the IAB Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Internet the IAB Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Internet
Applications and Systems, December 2022. Applications and Systems, December 2022.
[Schooler] [Schooler]
Schooler, E., Taylor, R., Zilberman, N., Soule, R., Nafus, Schooler, E., Taylor, R., Zilberman, N., Soule, R., Nafus,
D., Manohar, R., and U. Cummings, "A Perspective on D., Manohar, R., and U. Cummings, "A Perspective on
Carbon-aware Networking", Position paper in the IAB Carbon-aware Networking", Position paper in the IAB
Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Internet Applications Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Internet Applications
and Systems, December 2022. and Systems, December 2022.
[Kostentinos]
Tesfatsion, S., Cai, X., and A. Ahmed, "End-to-end Energy
Efficiency at Service-level in Edge Cloud", Position paper
in the IAB Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Internet
Applications and Systems, December 2022.
[Thubert] Thubert, P., "Digital Twin and Automation", Position paper [Thubert] Thubert, P., "Digital Twin and Automation", Position paper
in the IAB Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Internet in the IAB Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Internet
Applications and Systems, December 2022. Applications and Systems, December 2022.
[TVR] IESG, ., "Time-Variant Routing (TVR)", IETF Working Group,
see https://datatracker.ietf.org/group/tvr/about/ ,
February 2023.
[Vanderbauwhede] [Vanderbauwhede]
Vanderbauwhede, W., "Frugal Computing", Position paper in Vanderbauwhede, W., "Frugal Computing", Position paper in
the IAB Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Internet the IAB Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Internet
Applications and Systems, December 2022. Applications and Systems, December 2022.
[Welzl] Welzl, M., Alay, O., Teymoori, P., and S. Islam, "Reducing [Welzl] Welzl, M., Alay, O., Teymoori, P., and S. Islam, "Reducing
Green House Gas Emissions With Congestion Control", Green House Gas Emissions With Congestion Control",
Position paper in the IAB Workshop on Environmental Position paper in the IAB Workshop on Environmental
Impacts of Internet Applications and Systems, December Impacts of Internet Applications and Systems, December
2022. 2022.
skipping to change at page 23, line 7 skipping to change at page 24, line 50
o David Schinazi, Google o David Schinazi, Google
o Russ White, Akamai o Russ White, Akamai
o Qin Wu, Huawei Technologies o Qin Wu, Huawei Technologies
o Jiankang Yao, CNNIC China Internet Network Information Center o Jiankang Yao, CNNIC China Internet Network Information Center
Appendix B. Acknowledgments Appendix B. Acknowledgments
Naturally, most of the credit goes to the workshop participants.
The organizers wish to thank Cindy Morgan and Greg Wood for their The organizers wish to thank Cindy Morgan and Greg Wood for their
work on the practical arrangements and communications relating to he work on the practical arrangements and communications relating to he
workshop. workshop. This report was greatly enhanced by the feedback provided
on it, thanks to Michael Welzl in particular for his detailed review.
Authors' Addresses Authors' Addresses
Jari Arkko Jari Arkko
Ericsson Ericsson
Email: jari.arkko@ericsson.com Email: jari.arkko@ericsson.com
Colin Perkins Colin Perkins
University of Glasgow University of Glasgow
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