Digitalisation and natural resources : analysis of the resource intensity of the digital transformation in Germany (DigitalRessourcen) / publisher: German Environment Agency ; authors: Katharina Milde, Anna Klose, Mareike Böbel, Daniel Lückerath (Fraunhofer Institute for Intelligent Analysis and Information Systems IAIS, Sankt Augustin), Veronika Abraham, Roman Kirchdorfer, Joachim Aigner, Nina Albus (Ramboll Germany GmbH, Munich and Hamburg), Mark Meyer, Alice Philippi (Institute of Economic Structures Research (GWS), Osnabrück), Daniel Haack (German Institute for Standardization e.V. (DIN), Berlin), Christopher Manstein (German Environment Agency) ; on behalf of the German Environment Agency ; editor: Section I 1.1 Fundamental Aspects, Sustainability Strategies and Scenarios, Sustainable Resource Use - Christopher Manstein

Abstract

The ‘DigitalRessourcen’ research project analysed the resource intensity and greenhouse gas emissions of the digital transformation in Germany at both micro and macro level. The resource intensity of digital applications was calculated in ten case studies (micro level) using LCA methodology. At the macro level, raw material consumption (RMC), raw material input (⁠RMI⁠) and the carbon footprint of digitalisation in Germany were calculated for the ICT sector for the years 2000-2020 and seven scenarios were modelled for the years 2020-2050. Based on this, areas for shaping a more sustainable digitalisation and the need for further research were identified.