Climate change and COP26: Are digital technologies and information management part of the problem or the solution? An editorial reflection and call to action
: Dwivedi Yogesh K., Hughes Laurie, Kar Arpan Kumar, Baabdullah Abdullah M., Grover Purva, Abbas Roba, Andreini Daniela, Abumoghli Iyad, Barlette Yves, Bunker Deborah, Kruse Leona Chandra, Constantiou Ioanna, Davison Robert M., De’ Rahul, Dubey Rameshwar, Fenby-Taylor Henry, Gupta Babita, He Wu, Kodama Mitsuru, Mäntymäki Matti, Metri Bhimaraya, Michael Katina, Olaisen Johan, Panteli Niki, Pekkola Samuli, Nishant Rohit, Raman Ramakrishnan, Rana Nripendra P., Rowe Frantz, Sarker Suprateek, Scholtz Brenda, Sein Maung, Shah Jeel Dharmeshkumar, Teo Thompson S.H., Tiwari Manoj Kumar, Vendelø Morten Thanning, Wade Michael
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
: 2022
: International Journal of Information Management
: International Journal of Information Management
: 102456
: 63
: 0268-4012
: 1873-4707
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2021.102456
: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2021.102456
: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/174665556
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.