According to an IT industry survey, ending the cycle of “pushing new products like smartphones in ever shorter time” should be the main focus of the COP26 climate change conference.
The ranking of the poll
The reuse and recycling of electronic waste was chosen as a priority policy action to improve the relationship of technology with the environment. The 'rights to reparation' legislation arriving around the world, albeit fragmented, can help achieve this goal. But only if properly promoted and supported by governments, consumers and a professional tech industry.
Disposal of device waste was at the top of the survey that asked members of the IT industry professional body what technology-related actions the government and industry should try to put first.
After e-waste (at the top of the survey with 30%), IT experts chose carbon (19%), followed by making data centers truly “green” (14%). Granting work-from-home rights to reduce carbon emissions followed with 13%. Limiting “proof-of-work” cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, which have a large environmental impact, to 12%.
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A majority (61%) of technology experts also said they were unsure whether IT and digital technologies are being used effectively by industry in the fight against climate change.
A similar percentage (64%) were unsure whether the UK workforce currently had the right digital skills to achieve Net Zero.
The e-consumption rate is a key factor for e-waste
Alex Bardell, president of the BCS Green IT Specialist Group, said, “Most people who work and are leaders in the IT profession agree that digital technologies should be at the heart of government and industry strategy to reach Net. Zero. This can be achieved by a tech industry that defines its professionalism by prioritizing actions such as electronic waste reduction, which is already in the foreground thanks to the shortage of chips.
“Rather than being dependent on new devices as soon as they fail, the 'right to repair' legislation should start making it easier for people to extend the life of their devices. If your car's starter motor fails, go to the garage and get a new part instead of throwing the car away ”.
“The challenge is that the business model for electronics companies is to push their products, such as smartphones, into ever smaller time cycles as a way to generate revenue and it doesn't really have to be that way. It takes a combined political, social and commercial will to put the planet in front of an ever tighter updating cycle ”.
According to the Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) Forum, the consumption rate of electronics increases by 3% per year, particularly in areas such as the smartphone industry, and is a key driver of electronic waste.
