Digital technologies and their global responsibilities - An assessment

Digital technologies are now ubiquitous, as illustrated by the fact that the French trade association for the sector, Numéum, includes companies working in almost every economic sector. But what are the ecological implications of such activity? This five-part article attempts to shed some light on the issue. The first part explains what digital technology is, and the dynamics behind its emergence. Digital refers to the so-called "Von Neumann machine" developed in the 1940s, consisting of a processor, a memory and an interface. It performs two main functions: informing and controlling. It therefore transforms public spaces (of all sizes) as well as machine control and logistics chains. The second part documents the main ecological implications of this evolution. The digital sector is consuming increasing quantities of materials and energy. Without a political decision, its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions could double or triple by 2050. What can we do about it? The debate is generally organized along three lines: greening digital technology ("green IT"), using digital technology to green other sectors ("IT for green"), and demonstrating sobriety. The third section describes the three main regulatory responses aimed at making digital technology "greener": energy efficiency, the circular economy aimed at recovering materials, and the elimination of toxic substances. As it turns out, they do not constrain digital expansion. The fourth part looks at indirect implications. Do they really facilitate the "greening" of other sectors? On the contrary: digital technology enables economic growth, which in turn increases ecological implications, notably GHG emissions. Reasoning to the contrary (particularly from industry) is flawed on one key point: the dynamics of use. They imagine trajectories that would break with historical trends, without explaining how such a bifurcation would occur, or under what kind of reorientation of industrial investments. The inconsistency is obvious. This section clarifies the concept of the "rebound effect", often used in this debate. It refers to cases where local gains in efficiency are wholly or partly offset by the indirect implications of the policies pursued. The final section looks at future prospects, i.e. the main scenarios that have been developed to anticipate possible trajectories. The general conclusion is that the current dynamics of digital deployment at both global and national levels are seriously complicating both the achievement of GHG reduction targets under the Paris Agreement, and the ecological and social transition.