European and Asian telecoms ‐ their role in global sustainable development

Abstract

Market forces are often unable to deal with environmental problems due to the inability of the economic system to internalise environmental costs. Telecommunications around the world are “service” companies that are considered to have little impact on the natural environment ‐ and as such were excluded from participation in EMAS. However, new research into European and Asian telecommunications has revealed extensive environmental impact through consumption of considerable quantities of the global resources. Some telecoms use 1 per cent of their nation’s electricity, consume 1 per cent of national paper or 1 per cent of national GDP. But the rate of change in this sector is greater than any other business sector, and telecoms are now reducing their environmental impact as a result of technical developments, the global market forces of liberalisation, privatisation and competition. The global impact of telecommunications developments on travel and lifestyles is also poised to have a significant positive effect on the environment, through changes in working practices as well as impacting on both indoor and outdoor leisure activities.