Life Cycle Inventories
and Assessments for
ICTs
Martin Eugster
Empa, Switzerland
Geneva Meeting
1-3 September
2008
International
Telecommunication
Union
Agenda
ƒ Conceptual Framework
ƒ Greenhouse Gases and ICTs
ƒ Conclusions
2
Conceptual Framework
Problem:
Society is overusing the services provided by Nature Æ What
is the role of ICT?
ICT is a necessary
part of the solution
ICT is part of the
problem
3
Conceptual Framework
ICT as part of the
solution
Technology
Making more from less
ICT as part of the
problem
Life cycle
of ICT
hardware
Production
Use
End-of-life treatment
enables
Application
Optimization effects
Induction effects
Substitution effects
enables
Societal
change
Deep structural
change toward a
dematerialized economy
Rebound effects
New critical infrastructure
1st
order
effects
[direct]
2nd
order
effects
[indirect]
3rd
order
effects
[systemic]
4
Conceptual Framework
ICT as part of the
solution
Technology
Making more from less
ICT as part of the
problem
Life cycle
of ICT
hardware
Production
Use
End-of-life treatment
enables
Application
Optimization effects
Induction effects
Substitution effects
enables
Societal
change
Deep structural
change toward a
dematerialized economy
Rebound effects
New critical infrastructure
1st
order
effects
[direct]
2nd
order
effects
[indirect]
3rd
order
effects
[systemic]
5
Conceptual Framework
New book:
Information Technology and
Sustainability by Prof. L. M. Hilty
ISBN: 9783837019704
6
Greenhouse Gases and ICTs
ICT Services
Production
Phase
Resources
Design
Phase
Use
Phase
End-of-life
Phase
Recycling
Residues
Life Cycle of an ICT product
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies calculate the relevant
environmental impacts of the life cycle per functional unit.
7
Greenhouse Gases and ICTs
1400
1200
kg CO2-Equivalents / unit
1000
800
600
400
200
0
-200
-400
Manufacturing
Distribution
Use
End of Life
8
Environmental impacts and
ICTs
60
50
Eco-Indicator'99 points
40
30
20
10
0
-10
Manufacturing
Distribution
Use
End of Life
-20
-30
9
Environmental impacts and
EEE - production
160%
Eco-Indicator'99 (in % of Desktop PC)
140%
120%
Plastics
Aluminum
Copper
Steel
Glass
Other
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
PC
CRT TV
Air conditioner
Washing machine
Refrigerator
10
Environmental impacts and
EEE - use
50
Eco-Indicator'99 points/unit
40
30
20
10
0
PC
CRT TV
Air conditioner
Washing machine
Refrigerator
11
Environmental impacts
12
Conclusions
ƒ Environmental impacts / CO2,eq-emissions
have to be considered along the entire life
cycle Æ but, to whom allocate the impacts?
(electricity mix given by different regions)
ƒ Life cycle inventories (LCI) could provide a
scientifically reviewed and transparent basis
for the assessment of the carbon footprint of
the ICT sector (not company specific)
ƒ Specific public LCI data exist for electronic
components
13
Thank you!
Martin Eugster
Sustainable Technology Cooperation (sustec)
TSL - Technology & Society Lab
Empa - Materials Science & Technology
Lerchenfeldstrasse 5
CH-9014 St. Gallen
phone +41 71 274 78 55
mobile +41 79 691 38 00
skype eugster
martin.eugster@empa.ch
www.empa.ch - www.empa.ch/sustec - www.e-wasteguide.info
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