ICT and climate change: Are information and communication technologies the problem or the answer?

The role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in addressing climate change is controversial. This thesis aims to identify if ICT is the cause or solution to climate change by analyzing its negative and positive environmental impacts. To begin with, the carbon and energy footprints of the main ICT components will be presented, as well as ways of minimizing the negative impacts. Furthermore, the potential of ICT to reduce carbon emissions in other sectors will be analyzed. Literature related to the latest technologies, climate change, and reports from companies whose main goal is a sustainable future were reviewed. The findings of this study show that ICT has both negative and positive environmental impacts. However, it has a major potential to tackle climate change by reducing the carbon footprint and increasing energy efficiency in other sectors, which outweighs ICT’s negative impacts. It is done with the aid of new technologies, such as 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Moreover, it is important to highlight the importance of further studies and collaboration of government, businesses, and consumers towards environmentally friendly ICT and a sustainable future with reduced climate change