The United Nations telecommunications agency has launched a contest that will reward the winner with $10,000 for devising the most innovative 'app', or mobile telephone application, that tackles the subject of climate change.

The winner of the Green ICT Applications Challenge, organised by the International Telecommunication Union, will also have their application showcased at the international climate change talks in Durban, South Africa, in December.

ITU officials said they hoped the contest would allow developers to 'think outside the box' and devise an application that could contribute to the mitigation of climate change, particularly in poorer countries.

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"We have seen how ubiquitous apps have become and how useful they can be," said Hamadoun Toure, the secretary-general of the ITU. "We are excited to see what developers will create to influence this truly global problem."

Many applications already target carbon footprints, ITU said in a press release issued at its headquarters in Geneva.

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This contest hopes to elicit applications focusing on such issues as eco-design, the measurement of greenhouse gas emissions and disaster relief.

The agency, which is accepting entries for any kind of software tool or game, whether for the web, a personal computer or mobile telephone, said the cut-off date will be 17 June.

The cash prize is being provided by sponsors RIM and Telefonica.