MYTH 6 : Services will save us – sustainability without sacrifice through access, sharing and digitalisation
(2026) p.105-121- Abstract
This chapter critiques the belief that service-based models inherently lead to sustainable consumption. The core of the myth is the idea that shifting from ownership to access through traditional services, product–service systems, sharing and digital services can decouple resource use and sustainability impacts from consumption and well-being. The chapter explores the consequences of a service-driven economy at the macro level. While a larger share of services in GDP may correlate with some improvements in energy sustainability, global trends point to re-materialisation of society, especially from expanding digital infrastructures. Economic benefits from services are often unevenly distributed, with metropolitan regions and large... (More)
This chapter critiques the belief that service-based models inherently lead to sustainable consumption. The core of the myth is the idea that shifting from ownership to access through traditional services, product–service systems, sharing and digital services can decouple resource use and sustainability impacts from consumption and well-being. The chapter explores the consequences of a service-driven economy at the macro level. While a larger share of services in GDP may correlate with some improvements in energy sustainability, global trends point to re-materialisation of society, especially from expanding digital infrastructures. Economic benefits from services are often unevenly distributed, with metropolitan regions and large platforms capturing most gains, while social outcomes include precarious labour conditions, widening inequalities and concentrated corporate power. Dispelling the myth, the authors show that all service models remain materially intensive: traditional services such as tourism, healthcare and cultural industries have significant footprints; PSS often increase use frequency and cause rebound effects; sharing platforms frequently create new demand rather than substitute ownership; and digital services are highly dependent on energy, minerals and infrastructures, often accelerating rather than reducing consumption. The chapter concludes that services can only contribute to sustainability if they are designed and governed to lower environmental pressures and social risks. This requires policy frameworks that set boundaries on material and energy use, address rebound effects and limit the concentration of power among dominant service platforms. Businesses should develop services that extend product lifespans and avoid stimulating additional demand, while civil society and individuals can contribute by strengthening shared infrastructures and engaging in more deliberate and mindful use of digital services.
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- author
- Johnson, Emma LU and Mont, Oksana LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026-01-01
- type
- Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
- publication status
- published
- subject
- host publication
- Myths about Sustainable Consumption : Dispelled - Dispelled
- pages
- 17 pages
- publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105031200719
- ISBN
- 9781041012184
- 9781040869581
- DOI
- 10.4324/9781003613718-10
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- Publisher Copyright: © 2026 selection and editorial matter, Oksana Mont; individual chapters, the contributors.
- id
- e5568ff4-5de4-465f-98a4-834680491394
- date added to LUP
- 2026-04-08 13:50:35
- date last changed
- 2026-04-22 16:41:31
@inbook{e5568ff4-5de4-465f-98a4-834680491394,
abstract = {{<p>This chapter critiques the belief that service-based models inherently lead to sustainable consumption. The core of the myth is the idea that shifting from ownership to access through traditional services, product–service systems, sharing and digital services can decouple resource use and sustainability impacts from consumption and well-being. The chapter explores the consequences of a service-driven economy at the macro level. While a larger share of services in GDP may correlate with some improvements in energy sustainability, global trends point to re-materialisation of society, especially from expanding digital infrastructures. Economic benefits from services are often unevenly distributed, with metropolitan regions and large platforms capturing most gains, while social outcomes include precarious labour conditions, widening inequalities and concentrated corporate power. Dispelling the myth, the authors show that all service models remain materially intensive: traditional services such as tourism, healthcare and cultural industries have significant footprints; PSS often increase use frequency and cause rebound effects; sharing platforms frequently create new demand rather than substitute ownership; and digital services are highly dependent on energy, minerals and infrastructures, often accelerating rather than reducing consumption. The chapter concludes that services can only contribute to sustainability if they are designed and governed to lower environmental pressures and social risks. This requires policy frameworks that set boundaries on material and energy use, address rebound effects and limit the concentration of power among dominant service platforms. Businesses should develop services that extend product lifespans and avoid stimulating additional demand, while civil society and individuals can contribute by strengthening shared infrastructures and engaging in more deliberate and mindful use of digital services.</p>}},
author = {{Johnson, Emma and Mont, Oksana}},
booktitle = {{Myths about Sustainable Consumption : Dispelled}},
isbn = {{9781041012184}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{01}},
pages = {{105--121}},
publisher = {{Taylor & Francis}},
title = {{MYTH 6 : Services will save us – sustainability without sacrifice through access, sharing and digitalisation}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003613718-10}},
doi = {{10.4324/9781003613718-10}},
year = {{2026}},
}