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The Energy and Carbon Footprint of the Global ICT and E&M Sectors 2010–2015

Author

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  • Jens Malmodin

    (Ericsson Research, Ericsson AB, Torshamnsgatan 23, 164 80 Stockholm, Sweden 2 Telia Company AB, Stjärntorget 1, 16994 Solna, Sweden)

  • Dag Lundén

Abstract

This article presents estimations of the energy and carbon footprint of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Entertainment & Media (E&M) sectors globally for 2010–2015 including a forecast to 2020. It builds on three previous global studies (2007, 2011, and 2018) and a Swedish study (2015) by the same authors. The study is based on an extensive dataset which combines primary and secondary data for operational (use stage) energy consumption and life cycle greenhouse gas emissions (CO 2 e) for the included sub-sectors, including energy and carbon footprint data from about 100 of the major global manufacturers, operators, and ICT and E&M service providers. The data set also includes sales statistics and forecasts for equipment to estimate product volumes in addition to published LCA studies and primary manufacturing data to estimate the embodied carbon footprint of products. The result shows that the ICT and E&M sectors have turned their previously growing footprints into shrinking ones despite a continuous increase in subscriptions and data traffic. Furthermore, the results of this study are also indicating that these footprints are significantly smaller than previously forecasted.

Suggested Citation

  • Jens Malmodin & Dag Lundén, 2018. "The Energy and Carbon Footprint of the Global ICT and E&M Sectors 2010–2015," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-31, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:9:p:3027-:d:165818
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jens Malmodin & Åsa Moberg & Dag Lundén & Göran Finnveden & Nina Lövehagen, 2010. "Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Operational Electricity Use in the ICT and Entertainment & Media Sectors," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 14(5), pages 770-790, October.
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    17. Shah, Syed Ale Raza & Zhang, Qianxiao & Abbas, Jaffar & Balsalobre-Lorente, Daniel & Pilař, Ladislav, 2023. "Technology, Urbanization and Natural Gas Supply Matter for Carbon Neutrality: A New Evidence of Environmental Sustainability under the Prism of COP26," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
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    24. Wang, Lei & Chen, Yangyang & Ramsey, Thomas Stephen & Hewings, Geoffrey J.D., 2021. "Will researching digital technology really empower green development?," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).

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