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Assessing the Gap between Technology and the Environmental Sustainability of European Cities

Author

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  • Adeoluwa Akande

    (Universidade Nova de Lisboa)

  • Pedro Cabral

    (Universidade Nova de Lisboa)

  • Sven Casteleyn

    (Universidad Jaime I)

Abstract

The growth of cities’ population increased the interest in the opportunities and challenges that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have on carbon footprint reduction, which fosters their environmental sustainability. Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), six ICT-related variables from European Union (EU) cities were combined into a single two-dimensional ICT index. Then, through cluster analysis, cities were clustered into four groups based on the ICT index and Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Using ICT as an indicator of smartness and CO2 emissions as an indicator of sustainability, we show that it is possible for a city to be smart but not sustainable and vice versa. Results also indicate that there is a gap between cities in northern Europe, which are the top performers in both categories, and cities in south-eastern Europe, which do not perform as well. The need for a common strategy for achieving integrated smart, sustainable and inclusive growth at a European level is demonstrated.

Suggested Citation

  • Adeoluwa Akande & Pedro Cabral & Sven Casteleyn, 2019. "Assessing the Gap between Technology and the Environmental Sustainability of European Cities," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 581-604, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:infosf:v:21:y:2019:i:3:d:10.1007_s10796-019-09903-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10796-019-09903-3
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    10. Prabhsimran Singh & Surleen Kaur & Abdullah M. Baabdullah & Yogesh K. Dwivedi & Sandeep Sharma & Ravinder Singh Sawhney & Ronnie Das, 2023. "Is #SDG13 Trending Online? Insights from Climate Change Discussions on Twitter," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 25(1), pages 199-219, February.
    11. Arpan Kumar Kar & Vigneswara Ilavarasan & M. P. Gupta & Marijn Janssen & Ravi Kothari, 2019. "Moving beyond Smart Cities: Digital Nations for Social Innovation & Sustainability," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 495-501, June.
    12. Broccardo, Laura & Truant, Elisa & Dana, Léo-Paul, 2023. "The interlink between digitalization, sustainability, and performance: An Italian context," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    13. Thomas Schulz & Heiko Gewald & Markus Böhm & Helmut Krcmar, 2023. "Smart Mobility: Contradictions in Value Co-Creation," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 25(3), pages 1125-1145, June.
    14. Lorenzo Ardito, 2023. "The influence of firm digitalization on sustainable innovation performance and the moderating role of corporate sustainability practices: An empirical investigation," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(8), pages 5252-5272, December.
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    16. Jun Zhang & Shuyang Li & Yichuan Wang, 2023. "Shaping a Smart Transportation System for Sustainable Value Co-Creation," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 25(1), pages 365-380, February.
    17. Aiman Sana & Farzana Naheed Khan & Umaima Arif, 2022. "ICT diffusion and climate change: The role of economic growth, financial development and trade openness," Netnomics, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 179-194, October.
    18. Wang, Lei & Ramsey, Thomas Stephen, 2024. "Digital divide and environmental pressure: A countermeasure on the embodied carbon emissions in FDI," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    19. Sa Xu & Cunyi Yang & Zhehao Huang & Pierre Failler, 2022. "Interaction between Digital Economy and Environmental Pollution: New Evidence from a Spatial Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-23, April.
    20. Wang, Lei & Chen, Yangyang & Ramsey, Thomas Stephen & Hewings, Geoffrey J.D., 2021. "Will researching digital technology really empower green development?," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    21. Lee, Chien-Chiang & Yuan, Zihao & Lee, Chi-Chuan, 2023. "A nonlinear analysis of the impacts of information and communication technologies on environmental quality: A global perspective," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).

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