Moving towards environmental sustainability: information and communication technology (ICT), freight transport, and CO2 emissions

This study explores the links between ICTs, transport, and CO2 emissions. Despite the harmful consequences of transport activity on the environmental quality, there is less scientific attention accorded to this major issue. In this regard, we explore the possibility of reducing environmental damages through the association of new technologies with freight transport activities (i.e. inland, rail, and air). The empirical technique based on 43 countries between 2002 and 2014 employs the 2-step system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM). Overall, the results are very ambitious confirming the ability of ICT in dampening pollution once it's well adapted in the transportation sector. First, the telephone and mobile phones are the most efficient technologies in terms of environmental sustainability when used in the rail and the inland transport sector, while the internet is best utilized in the air transport sector. Second, the telephone plays the role of an accelerator when interacting with intermodality to better improve the environment. Public policies and their implications are considered in the study.

Automated summary

This study finds that ICT can help reduce CO2 emissions in the transportation sector, especially in freight transport activities. Telephones and mobile phones are most effective in the rail and inland transport sectors, while the internet is best utilized in the air transport sector. Phone technology also acts as an accelerator when combined with intermodality for better environmental improvement. Public policies and their implications are considered in the study.