The production and use of information products is associated with the generation of “greenhouse gases”, such as carbon dioxide (CO2). The amount of CO2 produced by information industries, relative to the amount of output produced, varies greatly between countries. Air Emissions Accounts (based on the UN System of Environmental Economic Accounting), show that in most European countries less than 5 tonnes of CO2 are produced for each million USD of output from the information industries. Meanwhile rates of over 20 tonnes have been observed in Poland, Slovak Republic and Hungary. Many different factors contribute to this situation, including the prevalence of ICT manufacturing and the extent to which each country relies on fossil fuels for electricity production. The carbon-intensity of information industries has remained stable or fallen in many countries since 2008, with Spain, Poland and Hungary as notable exceptions.
It is also possible to examine the “carbon footprint” of information industry products consumed in different countries. These products account for almost 7% of carbon embodied in products consumed in Ireland, but for less than 2% in Saudi Arabia and Israel. ICTs and electronics goods are key products in this regard, accounting for the majority of emissions in most countries.
These goods also constitute an environmental challenge at the end of their lifecycle, creating increasing levels of electronic waste. Improper and unsafe treatment and disposal through open burning or in dumpsites poses significant risks to the environment and human health, and also present several challenges to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The proliferation of digital technologies to more users and into ever more types of devices, coupled with rapid technological advances, is also resulting in shortening replacement cycles that are driving e-waste generation (Baldé et al., 2017).
In OECD countries, 17 kg of e-waste was produced per inhabitant in 2016, equivalent to 41 kg per USD 100 000 of GDP. E-waste per capita ranges from almost 30 kg per person in Norway to 8 kg in Turkey and less in countries such as China and India - broadly consistent with the penetration of digital technologies in these countries. Due to its relatively high GDP per inhabitant, Luxembourg has the lowest rate of e-waste relative to GDP at 21 kg.
Nevertheless, it should be noted that technology can, in some cases, substitute for other polluting activities. For example, by enabling teleworking technology may contribute to reducing emissions related to commuting (OECD, 2010). The environmental challenges created by e-waste, which often contains hazardous and environmentally damaging substances, can be mitigated through careful management. In European countries, the volume of e-waste recycled or re-used was around 40% of the amount generated, reaching 64% in Sweden.
