How does ICT-use improve the environment? The case of Turkey
| Pages | 2-12 |
| Date | 02 January 2018 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-03-2017-0007 |
| Published date | 02 January 2018 |
| Author | Feride Gonel,Atakan Akinci |
| Subject Matter | Public policy & environmental management,Environmental technology & innovation |
How does ICT-use improve the
environment? The case of Turkey
Feride Gonel
Department of Economics, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey, and
Atakan Akinci
Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences,
Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
Abstract
Purpose –The purposeof this paper is to presentthe effects of ICT-use on environmental problemsin Turkey.
Design/methodology/approach –The study focuses on the effects of ICTs on finding the solutions to
environmentalproblems. Inspiredby specific classification,these categoriesthat the authors usedare as follows:
the consumptionof material sources; the transportation of people andgoods; office spaces and smart building;
using data communication and monitoring; ICTequipment (the last category involves the negative effects of
ICT equipment itself; since we focus on“by ICT”issues, the authors will not examine this category in detail).
Findings –First of all, as a developing country, Turkey has an ability to monitor and control data on
environmentand the country is working to improveon it successfully in cooperationwith international-related
institutions.At the same time, using ICTs, smart buildingsare increasingly becoming popular in Turkeywith
the help of some regulations. Transportationis another area that uses ICT.
Originality/value –To make a connectionbetween ICT and environmentalproblems, it is a verynew issue in
developing countries. It is also newfor Turkey. Therefore, as the authorsknow, this is the first general review
on this subject.
Keywords Energy, ICT, Environmental management, Smart buildings, Green economy,
Environmental technology
Paper type General review
1. Introduction
The global world has struggled with environmentalproblems for more than 40 years. Among
these problems, climate change is one of the major problems. In recent years, many research
works have focused on the capabilities of the information and com munication technologies
(ICTs) to overcome the problems caused by climate change and other environmental problems.
This study examines how ICTs can help in tackling environmental problems in Turkey.
At the beginning of Denmark’s“Action Plan for Green IT,”it is warned that when we use our
computers and other IT equipment, we are responsible for 2 percent of total CO
2
emissions
(Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation of Denmark, 2008, p. 3). It is also estimated that
ICT equipment contribute around 2-2.5 percent of the worldwide global greenhouse gases
(GHGs) emissions; 40 percent of this was reported to be due to the energy requirements of PCs
and monitors, 23 percent due to data centers, 24 percent due to fixed and mobile
telecommunications and 6 percent due to printers (Houghton, 2009). However, the plan has also
emphasized that the use of energy-saving and energy-reducing electronic equipment realises
environmental benefits that are more than the costs of these equipment. The relationship
between the environment and ICTs is crucial and multidimensional, and this relationship has
both positive and negative aspects that is sometimes called as an e-Environment. This concept
includes “(i) the use and promotion of ICTs as an instrument for environmental protection, the
sustainable use of natural resources (ii) the establishment of monitoring system and (iii) the
initiation of actions and implementation of project and programmes for sustainable production
and consumption and the environmentally safe disposal and recycling of discarded hardware
and components used in ICTs”(International Telecommunication Union, 2008, p. 3). Therefore,
we find more energy-efficient uses and/or cleaner production methods, high-tech treatment
World Journal of Science,
Technology and Sustainable
Development
Vol. 15 No. 1, 2018
pp. 2-12
© Emerald PublishingLimited
2042-5945
DOI 10.1108/WJSTSD-03-2017-0007
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2042-5945.htm
2
WJSTSD
15,1
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