ICT Applications in the Research for Environmental Sustainability

Abstract

Whether Information and Communication Technology (ICT) constitutes a threat to or a cure for environmental deterioration is a matter of controversy. Empirical evidence on the impacts of ICT is rare, so few generalisable lessons can be drawn. This study addresses precisely this critique by providing empirical results on the role of ICT in research for environmental sustainability. The application of ICT in research is generally regarded as a way to exploit such technology in favour of the environment. Our analysis shows that the use of ICT in environmental research is of great importance in the scientific community, but it can also play a crucial role in the policy context, as well as in the business sector.