ABSTRACT
In Chapters three and four, the connections between digitalization, environmental sustainability and social justice are explored. Chapter five summarizes the results by linking three central mechanisms of digitalization from Chapters three and four with three guidelines for sustainable digitalization. The first mechanism is that digitalization improves efficiency and increases options in numerous ways. However, the digital tools also involve energy and material use and can lead to rebound and induction effects. Therefore, the first guiding principle of “Digital Sufficiency” is proposed to realize the environmental opportunities. The second mechanism is that information establishes the basis for various socio-ecological opportunities. However, the downside is a risk of growing government and commercial surveillance. In order to reconcile such opportunities with data protection, the second guiding principle of “Comprehensive Privacy” is proposed. Neither environmental nor social policy goals should override the protection of privacy. This book suggests that both aims can be realized at the same time. The third mechanism is digitalization’s role in wealth redistribution. Digital tools have the potential to establish decentralized and regional economies. Currently, however, opposing effects prevail: polarization of the labour market, a decreasing wage share and large IT companies paying little in taxes. The third guiding principle of “Focus on the Common Good” helps to move digital developments towards a more just economy.
