Abstract

Digitalization and sustainability represent two global mainstreams, which affect many dimensions of economic activity and daily life. However, their interaction remains still underexploited with different synergies and tradeoffs between these goals. This Virtual Special Issue (VSI) entitled "Digital technology and energy sustainability: impacts and policy needs" presents recent research on the nexus between digital technology and energy sustainability. This editorial introduces seven recent studies on a variety of topics, presenting core materials and guidance in the related domains. The findings indicate that scope, topic, measurement, method, and data might be in contrast or even in contradiction to previous studies. Although the black box of the complex nexus between digital technology and energy sustainability is still not fully uncovered, the findings indicate that the spatial factor and technology-induced rebound effect are most likely the underlying mechanisms. Additional future research directions for exploring the digitalization-sustainability interaction are discussed in this VSI.

Keywords

Digital technology; Energy sustainability; Digitalization

Published in

Resources, Conservation and Recycling
2023, Volume: 190, article number: 106803
Publisher: ELSEVIER

SLU Authors

• Lundgren, Tommy

  • Department of Forest Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Umea University

Sustainable Development Goals

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation


UKÄ Subject classification

Economics
Environmental Sciences


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106803

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/120740