Proceedings of 8th European Assembly on telework (Telework2001)

228The Knowledge Economy and SustainabilityLennart Forsebäck, Managing Director FörsebäcIT & Euro Intelligence AB, SwedenIt is today widely recognised that achieving sustainability without the use <strong>of</strong> ICT solutions will notbe possible. However, there are no automatic links between use <strong>of</strong> ICT and sustainability. Quiteon the contrary there are risks <strong>of</strong> so-called “rebound effects”. As a matter <strong>of</strong> fact the connectionbetween ICT and sustainability is complex and research in the field is still in its infancy.Studies <strong>of</strong> some major fields where ICT can contribute in achieving sustainability all indicate agreat potential. Examples can be found in such areas as dematerialisation, substitution, improvedefficiency <strong>of</strong> transports and road informatics, improved efficiency <strong>of</strong> production and planning aswell as energy savings in homes and commercial premises. These opportunities are illustratedin the reports “Case studies <strong>of</strong> the Information Society and Sustainable Development” and“The Knowledge Economy and Climate Change”. Both reports are published by the <strong>European</strong>Commission.It is also evident from these studies that a decreased environmental impact very <strong>of</strong>ten resultsin increased efficiency and pr<strong>of</strong>itability, improved quality in products, cost savings etc. Thus,sustainability might seem to be “business <strong>of</strong> the business”. However, from a general point <strong>of</strong> viewthis is obviously not the case.The potential obviously will not be fully realized unless society’s incentives structure changes, i. e.taxes, bonuses etc. but probably also legislation. E-work is just one example here. Why is it todayalmost impossible to make tax deductions on costs for an extra room for work at home, while it isnot only accepted but as a matter <strong>of</strong> fact strongly encouraged by economic subsidies to travel towork 5 days a week with a private car?The word “eco” comes from Greece and means home. Today we have two sciences, economy andecology, which obviously do not have very much in common. But we have just one “eco”, onehome, one planet. Perhaps it is not realistic today to create one common discipline. However itwould be a big step forward if we could at least try to use a common language. A common languagewhere terms like pr<strong>of</strong>itability, economic development, surplus, deficit etc. could also include theecological aspects.The knowledge economy gives an opening here. Unlike in traditional economic theory the concept<strong>of</strong> scarcity has no relevance in the knowledge economy. Contrary to land, traditional labour, naturalresources and other limited resources knowledge is inexhaustible. It may be used by severalcompanies or individuals simultaneously. And knowledge may be used to produce even moreknowledge. The more we use it and pass it on, the more it proliferates, the more it grows.