---
title: "Is the Digital Future Sustainable?"
authors:
  - name: "Seppälä, Timo"
  - name: "Mattila, Juri"
  - name: "Rajala, Risto"
date_published: "2019-06-12"
series: "ETLA Muistio - ETLA Brief"
series_number: "80"
issn:
  - "2323-2463"
jel_codes:
  - "O3"
  - "O33"
  - "Q4"
  - "Q5"
language: "en"
publisher: "ETLA Economic Research"
pdf_url: "https://www.etla.fi/wp-content/uploads/ETLA-Muistio-Brief-80.pdf"
keywords:
  - "ICT"
  - "Energy efficiency"
  - "Computing capacity"
  - "Emissions trading"
  - "Security of supply"
identifier: "https://www.etla.fi/julkaisut/id/ETLA-Muistio---ETLA-Brief-80"
abstract: "It is predicted that in 2030, the energy consumption of the ICT sector will be 21% of the world’s energy consumption, but will resources be enough to carry out all the digital technology development trends at the same time? Trends, such as the transition to the ecommerce, the transition of mobile services to the fifth-generation network, video streaming, online gaming and the rise of electric cars, all increase the need for both storage and computing capacity and energy as well. More broadly, the geographical location of digital resources and infrastructures has implications to country’s security of supply, for example in systems of systems development of smart traffic. The ecological effects of digitalization should also be explored through the lens of digital ecology and sustainability."
---

# Is the Digital Future Sustainable?

**Published:** 2019-06-12  
**Categories:** Promemoria, Publikationer  
**URL:** https://www.etla.fi/sv/publikationer/is-the-digital-future-sustainable/

#### Abstract

It is predicted that in 2030, the energy consumption of the ICT sector will be 21% of the world’s energy consumption, but will resources be enough to carry out all the digital technology development trends at the same time? Trends, such as the transition to the ecommerce, the transition of mobile services to the fifth-generation network, video streaming, online gaming and the rise of electric cars, all increase the need for both storage and computing capacity and energy as well. More broadly, the geographical location of digital resources and infrastructures has implications to country’s security of supply, for example in systems of systems development of smart traffic. The ecological effects of digitalization should also be explored through the lens of digital ecology and sustainability.

---

## Additional Information

**Issn:** 2323-2463

**Sarja Nro:** 80

**Sarja:** ETLA Muistio - ETLA Brief

**Kieli:** en

**Sivuja:** 5

**Paivays:** 12.06.2019

**Jel:** O3, O33, Q4, Q5

**Key Words:** ICT, Energy efficiency, Computing capacity, Emissions trading, Security of supply

**Kansikuva:** https://www.etla.fi/wp-content/uploads/etla-muistio-brief-80-kansi.jpg

**Kirjoittajat:** Seppälä, Timo - Mattila, Juri - Rajala, Risto

**Lataa Pdf:** https://www.etla.fi/wp-content/uploads/ETLA-Muistio-Brief-80.pdf

**Saatavuus:** 2

**Publication Research:** No

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