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A systematic literature review of time-use effects from increased ICT adoption and its consequences for lifestyle climate implications

Lehner, Matthias LU orcid (2025) In Sustainability Science
Abstract
This systematic literature review assesses the current state of knowledge on how increased ICT use affects individual time-use patterns and the associated implications for lifestyle climate implications. While the environmental impacts of ICT have been widely debated in terms of direct energy consumption, there has been limited focus on the indirect time-use effects. The review draws on 101 articles selected from an initial set of 2402, with data coded in Nvivo and analysed across 25 thematic categories. Key findings are that increased ICT use has significant effects on mobility and housing-related time-use patterns, best documented for the case of teleworking. These changes have the potential to reduce carbon emissions in the short term,... (More)
This systematic literature review assesses the current state of knowledge on how increased ICT use affects individual time-use patterns and the associated implications for lifestyle climate implications. While the environmental impacts of ICT have been widely debated in terms of direct energy consumption, there has been limited focus on the indirect time-use effects. The review draws on 101 articles selected from an initial set of 2402, with data coded in Nvivo and analysed across 25 thematic categories. Key findings are that increased ICT use has significant effects on mobility and housing-related time-use patterns, best documented for the case of teleworking. These changes have the potential to reduce carbon emissions in the short term, but might also entail a shift to more carbon-intensive practices in the long term. Additionally, screen time often displaces low-carbon activities such as sleep, physical activity, and socializing. The review concludes with recommendations for policymakers and future research, particularly into contextual moderating factors and underexplored areas. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
keywords
ICT, Screen Time, Climate Change, Time use, Teleworking, Rebound effects, Behaviour change, lifestyle sustainability
in
Sustainability Science
pages
11 pages
publisher
Springer
ISSN
1862-4057
DOI
10.1007/s11625-025-01720-9
project
MISTRA Sustainable Consumption - from niche to mainstream (Phase II)
Mistra Sustainable Accessibility and Mobility Services
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
f27848f9-d4c7-40e0-8185-0bfa09bcacea
date added to LUP
2025-07-09 00:39:42
date last changed
2025-07-10 09:14:55
@article{f27848f9-d4c7-40e0-8185-0bfa09bcacea,
  abstract     = {{This systematic literature review assesses the current state of knowledge on how increased ICT use affects individual time-use patterns and the associated implications for lifestyle climate implications. While the environmental impacts of ICT have been widely debated in terms of direct energy consumption, there has been limited focus on the indirect time-use effects. The review draws on 101 articles selected from an initial set of 2402, with data coded in Nvivo and analysed across 25 thematic categories. Key findings are that increased ICT use has significant effects on mobility and housing-related time-use patterns, best documented for the case of teleworking. These changes have the potential to reduce carbon emissions in the short term, but might also entail a shift to more carbon-intensive practices in the long term. Additionally, screen time often displaces low-carbon activities such as sleep, physical activity, and socializing. The review concludes with recommendations for policymakers and future research, particularly into contextual moderating factors and underexplored areas.}},
  author       = {{Lehner, Matthias}},
  issn         = {{1862-4057}},
  keywords     = {{ICT; Screen Time; Climate Change; Time use; Teleworking; Rebound effects; Behaviour change; lifestyle sustainability}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{07}},
  publisher    = {{Springer}},
  series       = {{Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{A systematic literature review of time-use effects from increased ICT adoption and its consequences for lifestyle climate implications}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11625-025-01720-9}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/s11625-025-01720-9}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}