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Life Cycle Assessment of Network Traffic: A Review of Challenges and Possible Solutions

Author

Listed:
  • Tova Billstein

    (Life Cycle Management, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, SE-114 28 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Anna Björklund

    (Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering (SEED), KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Tomas Rydberg

    (Life Cycle Management, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, SE-114 28 Stockholm, Sweden)

Abstract

The environmental impact of Industry 4.0 and related technologies remains relatively unknown, with little research devoted to investigating the impact on sustainability aspects, resulting in a greater need for climate reporting. However, impacts of data transmission have historically been the least studied part of the information and communication technology sector, and there is currently no consensus on how to correctly assess it. In an attempt to guide process development within the area in the hopes that future life cycle assessments will be created, this study sought to identify, examine, and address potential challenges that might occur when assessing the environmental impact of network traffic during its life cycle. Through a combination of a literature review and semi-systematic research interviews with identified experts within the field of research, several areas in the form of knowledge gaps, unsolved methodological issues, and areas in need of further development were identified and assessed. The results show that eight key challenges exist in the areas of system boundaries, data collection methods, energy intensity metrics, transparency and data availability, age of data, allocation procedures, assumptions, and limited coverage of impact categories. Several approaches to address said challenges are presented, as well as areas in need of further investigation. It is furthermore suggested that the sector should strive to agree upon several parameters of significance to enable future harmonized life cycle studies of network traffic.

Suggested Citation

  • Tova Billstein & Anna Björklund & Tomas Rydberg, 2021. "Life Cycle Assessment of Network Traffic: A Review of Challenges and Possible Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-12, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:20:p:11155-:d:652433
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joshua Aslan & Kieren Mayers & Jonathan G. Koomey & Chris France, 2018. "Electricity Intensity of Internet Data Transmission: Untangling the Estimates," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 22(4), pages 785-798, August.
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    3. Jens Malmodin & Dag Lundén, 2018. "The Energy and Carbon Footprint of the Global ICT and E&M Sectors 2010–2015," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-31, August.
    4. Vlad C. Coroama & Lorenz M. Hilty & Ernst Heiri & Frank M. Horn, 2013. "The Direct Energy Demand of Internet Data Flows," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 17(5), pages 680-688, October.
    5. Jens Malmodin & Dag Lundén & Åsa Moberg & Greger Andersson & Mikael Nilsson, 2014. "Life Cycle Assessment of ICT," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 18(6), pages 829-845, December.
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