| Popis: |
The impact of information and communications technologies (ICT) on the environment is a complex highly-debated subject. Indeed, ICT can have both positive and negative impacts on the environment. While ICT tools and devices can be used to improve energy efficiency, which results in reduced CO2 emissions and environmental degradation, the manufacturing and use of ICT devices can become a major source of emission. Also, many ICT devices contain non-renewable and non-recyclable components that can cause significant environmental damage. Therefore, one may question that whether ICT improves environmental quality in countries with different income levels? To answer this question, this study investigated the environmental impacts of ICT in three groups of high, middle, and low-income countries from 2005 to 2019 using the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM). The ICT Development Index (IDI) was used as the measure of ICT development. Empirical results showed that the use of ICT led to reduced total CO2 emissions, CO2 emissions from solid fuel consumption, CO2 emissions damage, particulate emissions damage, and energy consumption in the studied countries. Therefore, ICT was found to have a generally negative (favorable) impact on environmental degradation in these countries. Considering this effect of ICT on environmental degradation and pollution, governments are recommended to pursue their energy consumption and emission objectives by promoting the use of ICT in the environmental sector and the implementation of green ICT projects. |
