La transizione gemellare: un futuro verde e digitale per tutti?

The pressing need for action against environmental degradation and the climate crisis has become urgent, as highlighted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2023. However, this urgency does not affect all regions equally. Industrialized countries, responsible for significant environmental harm, have offshored pollution to less developed, peripheral countries, which face more severe consequences. In response to the climate crisis, techno-optimistic solutions driven by the digital transformation are gaining traction globally. Digital transformation, characterized by the rapid adoption of digital technologies across economies and societies, aligns with growth theories linking technological advancements to productivity improvements. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of Things promise significant societal, environmental, and economic changes. These digital tools are increasingly viewed as essential in combating climate change, potentially reducing global emissions by up to 20%. However, the adoption of digital technologies is not without drawbacks. The production and disposal of digital devices and infrastructure present significant environmental challenges, particularly for countries where resource extraction and waste disposal occur. These technological innovations can lead to trade-offs, including new environmental impacts and social inequalities. The complex interplay between ICT and the environment is further complicated by higher-order effects, which can result in either efficiency gains or rebound effects. Despite increasing international policy focus on using digital technologies for climate adaptation and mitigation, there is a notable lack of literature addressing the geographic regions most affected by the climate crisis. Additionally, empirical studies on the environmental costs of digital transformation remain scarce. This study seeks to fill these gaps by examining the impact of the digital economy on environmental quality in peripheral countries. The paper makes three significant contributions to the existing literature. First, it provides a critical context for the "Twin Transition" of digital and green initiatives by analyzing the potential environmental effects of digital technologies from a social technology sciences perspective. Second, it compiles a comprehensive collection of articles that assess the empirical impact of digital technologies on the environment. Third, it critically evaluates these findings to estimate the impact of digital transformation on CO2 emissions in developing countries, using existing panel data to shed light on the relationship between ICT indicators and environmental quality. By addressing the persistent asymmetries in global green and digital transitions, this study highlights the disproportionate environmental impacts faced by peripheral countries. These regions often bear the brunt of technological production, rare earth mining, labor exploitation, and ICT waste disposal, while the added economic value predominantly benefits core countries. Through this analysis, the study aims to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the digital economy's environmental implications and to inform policy discussions on achieving equitable and sustainable digital and green transitions.