Digitalisation can lead to greater sustainability – yet its positive environmental effects are often mitigated by so-called rebound effects, or even reversed. Drawing on 28 case studies, including smart homes, 5G and additive manufacturing, the study shows that efficiency gains are often accompanied by rising consumption, increasing data traffic and higher energy and resource consumption. The analysis makes it clear that rebound effects are closely linked to growth-oriented economic structures and cannot be avoided through individual measures. The authors therefore advocate a package of measures combining efficiency, sufficiency, regulation, the circular economy, transparent information and fiscal instruments in order to effectively limit the environmental impacts of digitalisation.
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