DIME – RAL2 Conference 2009 on: Eco-innovations and global sustainable development Maastricht April 28 th 2009

Origins of the paper Telecom Institute project (ECOTIC) StEP project (Ewaste institutions, UNU Bonn) Rebound effect project (BARTICE)

Objectives of the paper 1) Introduce one part of the ECOTIC project (ICT firms and (genuine) green growth) 2) Introduce a public policy that might help overcome the barriers for ICTs to contribute to (a genuine) green growth 3) Discuss how can evolutionary economists contribute to (a genuine) green growth

0) Genuine green growth = ? Development: BAU = economic focus Sustainable development = BAU? Growth: of GDP Green growth = … (Genuine) green growth = ?

Takes into account the pressures exerted by human societies on natural ecosystems Source: Common & Stagl (2006), Ecological Economics, p. 87.

Acknowledges the risks of threshold effects

Balances economic priorities with environmental ones: not BAU!

Paves the way for a sustainable development

Allows us to decouple development from the consumption of the services of natural ecosystems

1) What role for ICTs? Source: Hilty (2008: 147), IT & Sustainability, BOD.

The contribution of ICTs to green growth How ICT firms did it: Desk based research part of ECOTIC project Methodology: … Results Most jumped on the green IT bandwagon Clear focus on energy efficiency Risk of greenwashing (BAU) Risk of rebound effects

2) The barriers for ICTs to contribute to green growth… Source: Hilty (2008: 147), IT & Sustainability, BOD.

Rebound effects Technological progress makes equipment more efficient. Less resources are needed to produce the same amount of product using the same amount of equipment (ceteris paribus). However… not everything stays the same. E.g. demand can increase because a product rendered more efficient will sell more (cheaper or better quality).

Example of a rebound effect caused by ICTs My new car consumes less energy thanks to ICTs I drive longer distances (my driving preference is income elastic) Part of the energy saving is gone This how the RE is measured: A RE of 10% means that 10% of the energy efficiency improvement initiated by the technological improvement is offset by increased consumption. Berkhout, P.H.G., Muskens, J.C., Velthuijsen, J.W. (2000), Defining the rebound effect, Energy Policy, 28,

Example 2: Pollution leakages GHG leakages: the case of old refridgerators Ewaste leakages: the accelerated obsolesence of ICT products and the illegal export of their hazardous waste

What a computer contains

USA exports enough e-waste each year to fill 5126 shipping containers (40 ft x 8.5 ft). If you stacked them up, they'd reach 8 miles high - higher than Mt Everest, or commercial flights.

Destinations of ewaste Source : UNEP, Vital Waste Graphics.

2) … and the policies to overcome these barriers The WEEE directive and the rebound effect (pollution leakages): Successful take back systems Job creation A failure to prevent illegal exports Failure to foster ecodesign

3) Evolutionary economists and (genuine) green growth ?

Evolutionary economists & green growth Business as usual? How can we help make ICTs contribute to (genuine) green growth? one suggestion…

Investigate the sources of destructive destruction. Any other suggestion?

Thank you for your attention.

Thank you for your attention…

Public policies 2002 : more than 1 billion computers in the world, 130 millions of news ones. Basle convention on transboundary waste (1989) In France: today HH generate 13 kg/an/hab., out of which less than 4 kg is recycled. WEEE: 1,7 Mt/y (50% from HH). A 24 kg computer requires 1,8 tonnes of raw materials.

The European WEEE directives Directive RHOS 2002/95/EC on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment2002/95/EC Directive WEEE 2002/96/EC on waste electrical and electronic equipment are designed to tackle the fast increasing waste stream of electrical and electronic equipment and complements European Union measures on landfill and incineration of waste.2002/96/EC

WEEE directive: 5 principles 1) Polluter pays 2) EPR (extended producer responsibility) 3) « 1 to 1 » 4) Eco-organisms 5) Quantified targets 4 kg / year /cap. by 2006 for HH WEEE

NantesNantes: how much does recycling actually costs? Printer + mainframe : 2,70 euros Mobile phone : 0,50 euro DVD reader: 1,40 euro Computer screen : 8 euros TV : 15,60 euros Fridge : 28 euros

Basel convention (1992) Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (signed in 1989) 170 member countries (Parties), aims to: Cf title ! Avoid transfer of HW to DCs Reduce toxicity of HW Help DCs to handle HW.

Ecodesign Dematerialise Reduce energy consumption Facilitate EOL treatment (reuse, recycling, material recovery) EC definition: Integration of environmental considerations at the design phase EU policy = EUP directive (2005)EUP directive

A public-private partnership for recycling electronic waste in Africa In cooperation with the Hewlett-Packard Corporation and Empa, the Global Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF) is launching a project on WEEE management improvement within 5 African countries. Objectives:Hewlett-PackardEmpa Protect the people of Africa and their environment from the damaging effects of e-waste; Make the e-waste processing sector more viable by creating jobs and seeking to improve working conditions in this sector.

Who is greener? Source:

Non-linear changes