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CSITM hosts webinar on ecological consequences of digital proliferation

Information Systems experts spark discussion on transformative impact of digitization

12 March, 2025, Bengaluru: Deciphering the public cost of information systems on the environment, the Centre for Software and IT Management (CSITM) hosted a webinar on ‘Understanding (unintended?) environmental and ecological consequences of digital proliferation’, on 16 October 2024.

The session convened four subject-matter experts to highlight the environmental effects of rapid production of digital products. The discussion brought to light diverse environmental consequences that occur over the life cycle of digital and IS (Information Systems) technologies. It examined a variety of costs including CO2 emissions, resource usage, e-waste and pollution, alongside historical changes, current levels, and trends.

  • Dr. Uttam Doraswami, Founder and Director, Elixon Pvt.Ltd., drew attention to inaccuracies in e-waste reporting caused by informal recycling practices. For India, the emphasis was on preparedness to deal with e-waste owing to rapid digitization and the technological and skill deficiencies plaguing the country’s recycling industry. Product accountability was highlighted as a systemic gap, where manufacturers do not track their sold products but instead earn recycling credits by processing unrelated components, which they then report to the government. The talk called for holistic reforms to bridge skill gaps, improved legislation, and the urgency to foster more effective e-waste management practices.
  • Prof. Jyoti Bhat, Adjunct Professor, IIMB, flagged the significance of regulations for manufacturing small devices. She highlighted the neglected but significant contribution of the small elements of the digital infrastructure (eg: smart devices and sensors) to electronic waste which often do not factor into sustainability discussions. Calling for stringent certifications for manufacturing small devices, she said, “Technology enabled sustainability efforts are often focused on showcasing outputs, rather than addressing how those outcomes are achieved”. In an effort to mitigate cumulative radiation and environmental harm, she also urged the users to prioritize sustainability over convenience. Concluding her session, Prof. Bhat proposed innovative ideas, such as establishing markets for certified pre-owned parts, designing devices with built-in monitoring for repair or replacement needs, and ensuring device connectivity for better lifecycle tracking.

  • Krish Vijayaraghavan, Principal, Ramboll, discussed the necessity of extending the lifespan on digital products to optimize resource-intensive manufacturing processes. “Extending product life will not only reduce emissions but also minimize the resource-intensive processes associated with frequent manufacturing and disposal cycles”, he stated. Meanwhile, he also highlighted the positive impact of technologies on the environment, which enables effective monitoring, air modeling, predictive analysis, and comprehensive impact assessments.
  • Dr. Keerthi D Souza, Founder and MD, LGS Assurance Pvt. Ltd., warned of overlooked environmental harm across the digital value chain, rather than focusing on specific points of interest. With a focus on increasing public awareness, Dr. D Souza showcased critical aspects such as life cycle impact assessments, which consider both direct and indirect environmental effects, and the challenges posed by limited data availability on environmental impacts. She also touched upon policy and regulatory frameworks that exist in India, and the contribution of IGBC, introducing the Green Data Center Certification, that seeks to guide sustainability efforts in this domain.

Overall, a key takeaway for businesses, policymakers, individuals in decision-making positions was that while digital or IS technology is a source of many financial, and potentially even social benefits, it comes with ecological and environmental harms that may be hidden, and distant in space and/or time. While the private and public benefits of IS are factored in decision making, the public harms frequently go largely ignored, even unknown.

The session was moderated by Dr. Vivek, Independent Researcher (Behaviour and Environment), Bengaluru, and organized by Venkatesh Balakrishnan, Manager, CSITM.

Click here for Webinar Summary