Estimation of ICT impact on environment and economy

Focusing on rebound and ripple effects

Abstract

Information and communications technology (ICT) services have the potential for carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reduction and economic growth. However, the money or time saved by using ICT services may increase CO2 emissions, which is called the rebound effect. We developed an integrated model based on the static computable general equilibrium model to assess the environmental and economic impacts on productive activation and users’ behavior changes due to ICT services usage. CO2 abatement and increase in the gross domestic product were estimated with our model.