Environmental Economics and Policy Studies News and Commentary

Abstract The three main areas where information and communication technology (ICT) impacts on the environment are considered: (1) the fallout from the processes of production, (2) the environmental burden of ICT products themselves and their use, and (3) the recycling and disposing of ICT products. On the basis of this overview, a number of environmental policies are proposed. A participatory system needs to be established between regional offi ces and all interested parties. Key words ICT · Environmental disruption · Policy issues Three environmental problems related to information and communication technology A number of severe environmental problems stem from the utilization of information and communication technology (ICT); all are of major concern, and they can all be viewed from the standpoint of what is referred to as green ICT. The first concerns the environmental impact of the manufacture of ICT products and their associated parts. This process begins with the extraction of precious metals as raw materials and the environmental hazards that are associated with the mining of lead or copper, followed by further chemical contamination resulting from the production of semiconductors, a situation now referred to as “high-tech pollution.” The second issue has to do with the energy demand levied by the use of ICT products themselves, and