Author :
Abstract
This study examines the impact of information and communication technologies (ICT) on environmental sustainability (ES) in Turkey from a green growth perspective over the period 1993-2022. For this purpose, two separate ARDL models were estimated. In the first model, individuals’ internet usage was employed as the ICT indicator, while in the second model, mobile cellular subscriptions were used. In both models, the ecological footprint (EF) served as the environmental impact indicator, and green growth was included among the control variables. The results reveal that, in the first model, green growth and internet usage significantly reduce the EF. This finding suggests that internet usage, within the framework of green growth, can enhance energy efficiency and contribute positively to ES. In contrast, in the second model, the effect of mobile cellular subscriptions on the EF is negative but statistically insignificant. This indicates that the mobile communication infrastructure has not yet been utilized effectively in the context of ES or that its capacity to generate environmental benefits remains more limited compared to internet usage. These findings highlight the necessity of strengthening the environmental dimension in Turkey’s digitalization policies. In particular, integrating mobile communication infrastructure into the green transition, supporting it with energy-efficient technologies, and aligning it with sustainable development goals are of critical importance.
Keywords
Abstract
This study examines the impact of information and communication technologies (ICT) on environmental sustainability (ES) in Turkey from a green growth perspective over the period 1993-2022. For this purpose, two separate ARDL models were estimated. In the first model, individuals’ internet usage was employed as the ICT indicator, while in the second model, mobile cellular subscriptions were used. In both models, the ecological footprint (EF) served as the environmental impact indicator, and green growth was included among the control variables. The results reveal that, in the first model, green growth and internet usage significantly reduce the EF. This finding suggests that internet usage, within the framework of green growth, can enhance energy efficiency and contribute positively to ES. In contrast, in the second model, the effect of mobile cellular subscriptions on the EF is negative but statistically insignificant. This indicates that the mobile communication infrastructure has not yet been utilized effectively in the context of ES or that its capacity to generate environmental benefits remains more limited compared to internet usage. These findings highlight the necessity of strengthening the environmental dimension in Turkey’s digitalization policies. In particular, integrating mobile communication infrastructure into the green transition, supporting it with energy-efficient technologies, and aligning it with sustainable development goals are of critical importance.
