Climate change and COP26: Are digital technologies and information management part of the problem or the solution? An editorial reflection and call to action

Изменение климата и COP26: являются ли цифровые технологии и управление информацией частью проблемы или решения? Редакционное размышление и призыв к действию
Arpan Kumar Kar, Purva Grover, Yogesh Kumar Dwivedi, Abdullah Mohammed Baabdullah, Matti Mäntymäki, Katina Michael, Roba Abbas, Laurie Hughes, Ramakrishnan Raman, Rohit Nishant, Yves Barlette, Robert M. Davison, Rahul Dé, Frantz Rowe, Suprateek Sarker, Michael R. Wade, Rameshwar Dubey, Wu He, Thompson S.H. Teo, Bhimaraya Metri, Deborah Bunker, Ioanna Constantiou, Babita Gupta, Daniela Andreini, Iyad Abumoghli, Leona Chandra Kruse, Henry Fenby-Taylor, Mitsuru Kodama, Johan Olaisen, Niki Panteli, Samuli Pekkola, Nripendra P. Rana, Brenda Scholtz, Maung K. Sein, Jeel Dharmeshkumar Shah, Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Morten Thanning Vendelø
2021-11-24
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COP26climate changedigital technologiesinformation managementresponsible digitalization
Abstract (AI)
The UN COP26 2021 conference on climate change offers the chance for world leaders to take action and make urgent and meaningful commitments to reducing emissions and limit global temperatures to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels by 2050. Whilst the political aspects and subsequent ramifications of these fundamental and critical decisions cannot be underestimated, there exists a technical perspective where digital and IS technology has a role to play in the monitoring of potential solutions, but also an integral element of climate change solutions. We explore these aspects in this editorial article, offering a comprehensive opinion based insight to a multitude of diverse viewpoints that look at the many challenges through a technology lens. It is widely recognized that technology in all its forms, is an important and integral element of the solution, but industry and wider society also view technology as being part of the problem. Increasingly, researchers are referencing the importance of responsible digitalization to eliminate the significant levels of e-waste. The reality is that technology is an integral component of the global efforts to get to net zero, however, its adoption requires pragmatic tradeoffs as we transition from current behaviors to a more climate friendly society.
Key Findings
1
COP26 highlighted the need for urgent commitments to reduce emissions and limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2050.
2
Digital and information systems technologies can support climate-solution monitoring and constitute an integral component of global net-zero efforts.
3
Responsible digitalization is increasingly necessary to reduce e-waste and ensure that technology supports, rather than undermines, climate objectives.
4
Technology is simultaneously viewed as part of the climate problem because digitalization contributes to substantial electronic waste.
5
Transitioning toward a climate-friendly society requires pragmatic trade-offs in adopting digital technologies and changing existing behaviors.
Research Object

Digital technologies and information systems/management in the context of climate change and COP26

Research Subject

The dual role, impacts, and responsible adoption of digital technologies and information management in monitoring climate solutions and achieving net zero, including the trade-off between their benefits and e-waste emissions

Publication Details
Publication Date
2021-11-24
Journal
Publisher
ISSN
Cited by
761
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Author Information
Authors
Arpan Kumar Kar
Purva Grover
Yogesh Kumar Dwivedi
Abdullah Mohammed Baabdullah
Matti Mäntymäki
Katina Michael
Roba Abbas
Laurie Hughes
Ramakrishnan Raman
Rohit Nishant
Yves Barlette
Robert M. Davison
Rahul Dé
Frantz Rowe
Suprateek Sarker
Michael R. Wade
Rameshwar Dubey
Wu He
Thompson S.H. Teo
Bhimaraya Metri
Deborah Bunker
Ioanna Constantiou
Babita Gupta
Daniela Andreini
Iyad Abumoghli
Leona Chandra Kruse
Henry Fenby-Taylor
Mitsuru Kodama
Johan Olaisen
Niki Panteli
Samuli Pekkola
Nripendra P. Rana
Brenda Scholtz
Maung K. Sein
Jeel Dharmeshkumar Shah
Manoj Kumar Tiwari
Morten Thanning Vendelø
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