How does ICT-use improve the environment? The case of Turkey

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the effects of ICT-use on environmental problems in Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

The study focuses on the effects of ICTs on finding the solutions to environmental problems. Inspired by specific classification, these categories that the authors used are as follows: the consumption of material sources; the transportation of people and goods; office spaces and smart building; using data communication and monitoring; ICT equipment (the last category involves the negative effects of ICT equipment itself; since we focus on “by ICT” issues, the authors will not examine this category in detail).

Findings

First of all, as a developing country, Turkey has an ability to monitor and control data on environment and the country is working to improve on it successfully in cooperation with international-related institutions. At the same time, using ICTs, smart buildings are increasingly becoming popular in Turkey with the help of some regulations. Transportation is another area that uses ICT.

Originality/value

To make a connection between ICT and environmental problems, it is a very new issue in developing countries. It is also new for Turkey. Therefore, as the authors know, this is the first general review on this subject.

Citation

Gonel, F. and Akinci, A. (2018), "How does ICT-use improve the environment? The case of Turkey", World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, Vol. 15 No. 1, pp. 2-12. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-03-2017-0007