X-free mobile electronics-strategy for sustainable development

Worldwide information exchange and availability, communication without limits will become basic needs of future generations. The information and communication technologies do not only serve for realizations of these aims they also have a high potential to contribute to a sustainable development. Though, there are critical ecological, social, economic and cultural trends which cannot be ignored and which may cause adverse effects on sustainability. In this paper the ecological dimension of sustainability will be particularly considered. The vision of sustainable mobile products should be based on closed product and material loops without emission of pollutants. Important steps for transition from today's to sustainable products are described in this context.