ABSTRACT
… after having looked at material efficiency as a significant option for reducing greenhouse gases, we will now focus on another important, evolving area of technology: information and communication technology (ICT). Obviously, information and communication technologies have changed the world enormously in the last decade. Some authors refer to ICT as a major resource for increasing the eco-efficiency of many activities. But at the same time it is clear that ICT has also stimulated economic growth and its consequent impact on energy use. This chapter assesses the contribution that ICT could make to realizing a climate-neutral society. To assess the impact of this new technology, ICT will be placed in its social context of behavioural and institutional arrangements. This chapter will show that ICT may have some benefits but that the potential savings are modest, and rebound effects will need to be addressed as well.
