Abstract
Digitalization can increase resource and energy productivities. However, the production and usage of information and communication technologies (ICTs) require materials and energy, and the application of ICTs fosters economic growth. This paper examines whether digitalization helps or hinders an absolute decoupling of environmental throughput from economic growth. The paper combines the literature on “green IT” and “ICT for green” with studies on decoupling, i.e., the relationship between economic growth, technological change, and environmental throughput. The paper identifies several strains of the decoupling debate and connects them to the environmental implications of digitalization. We focus on the relation between digitalization and (1) the question of finite non-renewable energies, (2) the environmental Kuznets curve, (3) the role of energy consumption for economic growth, (4) efficiency improvements vis-à-vis rebound effects, and (5) the role of general purpose technologies for resource and energy demand. We find that the empirical basis regarding digitalization’s relation to these four aspects is still weak and hence, further research is needed. Comparing the mitigating and the aggravating impacts of digitalization, we conclude that a more active political and societal shaping of the process of digitalization is needed to make ICT work for global environmental sustainability.
Highlights
In many countries of the world, industrialized countries, environmental throughput has increased during the past years and decades [1]
This paper examines whether digitalization helps or hinders an absolute decoupling of environmental throughput from economic growth
We focus on the relation between digitalization and (1) the question of finite non-renewable energies, (2) the environmental Kuznets curve, (3) the role of energy consumption for economic growth, (4) efficiency improvements vis-à-vis rebound effects, and (5) the role of general purpose technologies for resource and energy demand
Summary
In many countries of the world, industrialized countries, environmental throughput has increased during the past years and decades [1]. (1) If one agrees that environmental throughput needs to decline and economic growth is necessary to invest into transforming unsustainable modes of production and consumption towards green alternatives, strategies for decoupling economic growth from resource use are the best way to achieve environmental sustainability. The developments show that economic growth and a digitalization of the economy have been accompanied by relative—and in some cases even a slight absolute—decoupling of energy consumption and CO2 emissions. These are merely developments and no causal inference can be made. In order to deeper understand the interrelationships between digitalization, environmental impacts, and economic growth, we will dive into a qualitative analysis that intertwines findings from the “decoupling debate” with findings from the more recent “ICT for sustainability” literature and identify factors that either mitigate or aggravate the chances for a sufficient absolute decoupling
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
