ABSTRACT
The offered services depend on an infrastructure that has to be well understood and taken into account when evaluating the environmental performance of the service. The environmental impact was assessed by applying two methods: Ecoindicator 99 and Ecoscarcity. Sensitivity analysis for the various modules can easily be accomplished and provides a sound understanding of the relationship between telecommunications services and the environment. Many claim that internet services provide an important step towards the paperless office, which might imply a significant reduction in waste and environmental burden. The ecoscarcity method is based on the 'environmental scarcity' approach. The environmental burden of a single inquiry is much lower for the online service and the Teleguide compared to the phone book and the CD-ROM. The increase in the environmental impact caused by changing the electricity mix is shown on the top of each of the electronic media, within the dotted lines.
