Environmental technologies - Ecoinnovation

Title

IT for green and green IT: A proposed typology of eco-innovation

Reference

Ecological Economics
Volume 70, Issue 11, 15 September 2011, Pages 2020-2027

Author(s)

S. Faucheux  and I. Nicolaï

Study type

Peer Review Journal  

Abstract

This article is in support of the development of an ecological economic framework. It discusses, from an interdisciplinary perspective, the increasing use of green IT and their applications (IT for green). IT and sustainable development have had a concomitant rise and reach. The future world emerging from their respective interpretations enables, in both cases, a shift from today's questionable industrial capitalism towards post-industrial capitalism. This paper addresses the following questions: What is known about green IT and IT for green? Are smart solutions (buildings, energy grids, transport) always beneficial to an ecological economy? And, if so, in what ways? In the first part of this article, we analyse the economic, social and environmental impact of IT and argue for the need for green applications of green IT in order to achieve sustainable outcomes. The second part focuses on the managerial dimension of eco-innovation theory and presents one of the distinctive features of green applications of green IT: the collective organisation of innovation. A typology of eco-innovation aimed at reconciling IT development and green growth is then proposed explicitly addressing four kinds of changes towards sustainable development: technological, social, institutional and organisational innovation.

Policy theme(s)

Environmental technologies >> Technology policy >> Ecoinnovation
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable business and industry
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Green economy

Keywords

IT; Ecological economics; Eco-innovation; Externalities; Business ecosystem; Collective innovation; Smart grid

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800911002084There is a fee to view this study in full   

Contact the study author at:

isabelle.nicolai@uvsq.fr

Title

Innovating for green growth.

Reference

World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Drivers of private sector RD&D p 1-44

Author(s)

World Business Council for Sustainable Development

Study type

Report

Abstract

By 2050, the world's population will have increased to 9 billion, with most of the growth in developing countries. Increasing urbanization and efforts to combat poverty will lead to rapid energy and infrastructure growth demand in these countries. While this offers a huge growth opportunity for business, it also presents companies with the challenge to address the climate change. Businesses understand that an unsustainable world is not a good place for doing business. The world needs business as a committed solution provider to meet future energy and climate challenges. Business is the main source of innovation, solutions and financing for the growth required, and it must continue to play a strong role in the future climate regime. This requires accelerated innovation, collaboration and implementation of low carbon solutions. It also requires greater collaboration across business sectors and between business, government, academia and civil society. Companies and governments recognize that a 'green race' is underway. This is a race fuelled by concerns for energy security and the need to manage resource scarcity. It reflects the constraints imposed by both climate change and the current economic situation that encourages cost savings through efficiency improvement. Companies want to gain a competitive advantage in future markets and need to anticipate regulatory regimes and demand by consumers. Much has already been done in the absence of price signals and climate regulations, but more can be done with efficient policies.

Policy theme(s)

Environmental technologies >> Technology policy >> Ecoinnovation
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable business and industry
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Green economy
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Sustainable business and industry

Keywords

N/A

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.wbcsd.org/includes/getTarget.asp?type=d&id=MzkyMTk
This study is free to view

Contact the study author at:

info@wbcsd.org