Environmental Issues in a Digital Economy

Abstract

Digital technologies play a crucial role in achieving the long-term balance between the techno-sphere and the natural environment that is necessary for sustainable development. The digital economy is a relatively new concept in national policymaking, often using such terms as “information economy” (the 1970s), “knowledge economy” and “electronic economy” (the 1980s), “new economy” (the 1990s) or “network economy” and “Internet economy” (the 2000s). While there is no single definition of the digital economy, there is general agreement on some fundamental principles. The basic idea of a digital economy is that products, services, lifelong learning and innovation are made possible by the computerised transfer and processing of modern technology in the context of market globalisation and sustainable development. Sustainable development is largely related to the preservation of the biosphere and natural capital together with the techno-sphere and the socio-sphere. However, in real life, environmental aspects are often overlooked. In recent years, there have been changes in the formation of the economies of countries, especially in strengthening their environmental component. Reducing the cost of sensor technology and the spread of networks allow you to connect each component entering the production process. The data collected through such connections provide an opportunity to know the place of origin of the product, the method of production and the amount of energy spent on its production. Information received on their basis gives to companies, cities and whole countries the opportunity to restore, create, and to relocate these resources more effectively. It is proposed to take into account the impact of the digital economy on the environment. The EU response is increasingly seen as a strong combination of the knowledge economy and the green new deal.