Parameterized Life Cycle Assessment Model for Electronic Devices: Incorporating Internet Consumption in Environmental Impact Evaluation

Electronic devices are increasingly dependent on the Internet for operation. However, existing life cycle assessments (LCA) of such devices rarely consider internet usage, thus potentially neglecting an environmental impact hotspot. The limited scope of LCA in the use phase of electronic devices is partly due to the inadequate coverage of internet-related datasets in LCA databases and to the complexity of modelling internet usage. To address the need for LCA of electronic devices that include a comprehensive picture of internet usage, we present a parameterized LCA model that provides global coverage of internet infrastructure with the flexibility to regionalize elements as needed. The model focuses on equipment and operation-related impacts. Preliminary findings indicate that network operation can be a hotspot. Results also show that the model is most sensitive towards the choice of background electricity mix and assumed network energy intensity. To show the model's real-world applicability, we apply it to a case of online meetings conducted by four persons in Germany over two years. Our findings indicate network equipment and operation are global warming hotspots in some instances. Our work identifies possible paths of global warming impact reduction for the use of electronic devices within a digitally connected world by recognizing the key parameters affecting internet usage.