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Climate Protection Potentials of Digitalized Production Processes: Microeconometric Evidence?

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  • Axenbeck, Janna
  • Niebel, Thomas

Abstract

Although information and communication technologies (ICT) consume energy themselves, they are considered to have the potential to improve overall energy efficiency within economic sectors. While previous empirical evidence is based on aggregated data, this is the first large-scale empirical study on the relationship between ICT and energy efficiency at the firm level. For this purpose, we employ administrative panel data on 28,734 manufacturing firms from German Statistical Offices of the Federation and the Federal States collected between 2009 and 2017. Using software capital intensity as an indicator for the firm-level degree of digitalization, we analyze whether an increase thereof relates to energy efficiency improvements. Results confirm the statistically significant negative link between software capital and energy use. However, the relationship is highly inelastic and does not suggest economic relevance. Therefore, we conclude that effects of ICT on energy use are not large enough to substantially improve energy efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Axenbeck, Janna & Niebel, Thomas, 2021. "Climate Protection Potentials of Digitalized Production Processes: Microeconometric Evidence?," VfS Annual Conference 2021 (Virtual Conference): Climate Economics 242369, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:vfsc21:242369
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    Cited by:

    1. Horbach, Jens, 2023. "Digitalisation and sustainability strategies at the firm level," Ruhr Economic Papers 1001, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    2. Kren, Janez & Lawless, Martina, 2023. "Firm-level attitudes and actions to the “Twin Transition” challenges of digitalisation and climate change," Papers WP742, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
    3. Alexander Schiersch & Irene Bertschek & Thomas Niebel, 2023. "Diversify or Not? – The Link between Global Sourcing of ICT Goods and Firm Performance," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 2043, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    4. Axenbeck, Janna & Berner, Anne & Kneib, Thomas, 2022. "What drives the relationship between digitalization and industrial energy demand? Exploring firm-level heterogeneity," ZEW Discussion Papers 22-059, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Digitalization; ICT; Firm Level; Energy Efficiency;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation

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