Abstract
AbstractWith the support of a life cycle assessment model, this study estimates the carbon footprint (CF) of smartphones and life cycle costs (LCC) for consumers in scenarios where different material efficiency strategies are implemented in Europe. Results show that a major contribution to the CF of smartphones is due to extraction and processing of materials and following manufacturing of parts: 10.7 kg CO2,eq/year, when assuming a biennial replacement cycle. Printed wiring board, display assembly, and integrated circuits make 75% of the impacts from materials. The CF is increased by assembly (+2.7 kg CO2,eq/year), distribution (+1.9 kg CO2,eq/year), and recharging of the device (+1.9 kg CO2,eq/year) and decreased by the end of life recycling (−0.8 kg CO2,eq/year). However, the CF of smartphones can dramatically increase when the energy consumed in communication services is counted (+26.4 kg CO2,eq/year). LCC can vary significantly (235–622 EUR/year). The service contract can in particular be a decisive cost factor (up to 61–85% of the LCC). It was calculated that the 1:1 displacement of new smartphones by used devices could decrease the CF by 52–79% (excluding communication services) and the LCC by 5–16%. An extension of the replacement cycle from 2 to 3 years could decrease the CF by 23–30% and the LCC by 4–10%, depending on whether repair operations are required. Measures for implementing such material efficiency strategies are presented and results can help inform decision‐makers about how to reduce impacts associated with smartphones.
Highlights
The climate change threat due to anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) was raised by the scientific community 30 years ago (IPCC, 1992), it has been only partially reflected in effective interventions under the frameworks of the Kyoto Protocol (United Nations, 1997) and the Paris Agreement (United Nations, 2015).Journal of Industrial Ecology 2021;1–17.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/jiec 1 CORDELLA ET AL.The European Commission has reinforced its commitment to tackle environmental challenges through the “European Green Deal” (European Commission, 2019a), which includes measures on energy efficiency and circular economy performance of the information and communication technologies (ICT) sector.The contribution of the ICT sector to the global GHG emissions was about 1.4% in 2007 and could exceed 14% in 2040
Results show that a major contribution to the carbon footprint (CF) of smartphones is due to extraction and processing of materials and following manufacturing of parts: 10.7 kg CO2,eq/year, when assuming a biennial replacement cycle
This study aims to build upon the existing life cycle assessment (LCA) literature for smartphones and expand it by providing a broad and critical analysis of material efficiency strategies and their effect on CF and life cycle costs (LCC) for consumers
Summary
The climate change threat due to anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) was raised by the scientific community 30 years ago (IPCC, 1992), it has been only partially reflected in effective interventions under the frameworks of the Kyoto Protocol (United Nations, 1997) and the Paris Agreement (United Nations, 2015).wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/jiec 1 CORDELLA ET AL.The European Commission has reinforced its commitment to tackle environmental challenges through the “European Green Deal” (European Commission, 2019a), which includes measures on energy efficiency and circular economy performance of the information and communication technologies (ICT) sector.The contribution of the ICT sector to the global GHG emissions was about 1.4% in 2007 and could exceed 14% in 2040. The climate change threat due to anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) was raised by the scientific community 30 years ago (IPCC, 1992), it has been only partially reflected in effective interventions under the frameworks of the Kyoto Protocol (United Nations, 1997) and the Paris Agreement (United Nations, 2015). The European Commission has reinforced its commitment to tackle environmental challenges through the “European Green Deal” (European Commission, 2019a), which includes measures on energy efficiency and circular economy performance of the information and communication technologies (ICT) sector. The contribution of the ICT sector to the global GHG emissions was about 1.4% in 2007 and could exceed 14% in 2040. The contribution from smartphones is increasing so rapidly that it could soon become greater than desktops, laptops, and displays. The main reasons for this growth are the high market penetration of smartphones and their short replacement cycles (2 years on average) (Belkhir & Elmeligi, 2018)
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