The Impact of E-Commerce On Energy and the Environment
Abstract
This article explores the impact of the growing Internet economy on
current and future trends in energy consumption.
The world is only beginning to come to grips with the complex con-
sequences of the exploding growth of e-commerce and the Internet
economy. To be sure, the impacts on the way we live, work and consume
will be historic, both positively and negatively. We need to understand
the potential created for environmental gains and structural reductions
in energy and resource use, as well as the need for certain industries to
adapt to very large strategic challenges and opportunities.
This article reflects an analysis of currently available but incomplete
data, and begins to construct some rough scenarios. Hopefully these
scenarios begin the process of identifying opportunities and challenges
for business leaders and policy makers and suggesting the directions of
future research and initiatives. These dynamics will fundamentally shape
the path to sustainability in the US and around the world