The aim was to contribute to the provision of socio-ecological orientation knowledge for information and communication technology companies.

Information and communication technologies represented a key technology that not only had great economic potential, but was also of central importance with regard to sustainable development. The challenge was to link the extremely dynamic development towards an information society and the guiding principle of sustainable development in such a way that the innovative possibilities of information and communication technologies were utilised in a way that met the requirements of sustainability. Information and communication technology is a sector that is characterised by a high rate of innovation and has a significant influence on innovations in other sectors. For this reason, it is precisely here that the players' abilities to change, co-operate and steer themselves towards the long-term goal of sustainable development must be used and improved.

With this task in mind, the project aimed to contribute to the provision of socio-ecological orientation knowledge for information and communication technology companies. In addition to methods of long-term planning, new institutional arrangements and the analysis of selected fields of innovation were also involved. An innovation map was to be created for this purpose. However, the focus was deliberately on selected cross-sectional topics that are already essential for company, product and market development in the ICT sector today or in the foreseeable future. These range from the quantifiability of sustainability and corporate citizenship to new product and service innovations (new customer relationships) for sustainable consumption.
Under www.sustainable-ict.info an information platform has been set up. It is intended to contribute to this,

  • to promote global dialogue on this topic
  • to present research projects
  • ensure quick access to data and facts
  • provide a broad overview of initiatives and
  • Identify potential for shaping the economy and politics.
More info

The project is being carried out as part of the research focus "Promotion of infrastructure-strengthening measures in the field of socio-ecological research". Under www.sustainable-ict.info an information platform has been set up.