Johannes Ruhe, Energieeffiziente Webentwicklung Wie können durch Webentwicklung Energiebedarf und CO2-Emissonen von Websites reduziert werden?, University of Zurich, Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics, 2020. (Bachelor's Thesis)
Awareness of climate and environmental protection has been growing for several years. People are increasingly asking themselves what their personal contribution could be and are demanding sustainable products. At the same time, daily computer work demands more and more server-client connections, which lead to high energy consumption and thereby cause CO2 emissions. This work is dedicated to the sustainability of websites. Therefore, this work exhibits where the energy requirement arises from web development and how this can be reduced by webmasters. For this purpose, the energy requirement is analysed through web development. Building on this, the energy requirements and savings potential of various technical aspects are checked. The effects of user behavior are shown by considering user behavior as manageable. |
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Louis-Philippe P-V P Clément, Quentin E S Jacquemotte, Lorenz Hilty, Sources of variation in life cycle assessments of smartphones and tablet computers, Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Vol. 84 (106416), 2020. (Journal Article)
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies and reports on smartphones and tablet computers are analysed to detect the sources of variation across their results, considering the impact on global warming potential over 100 years (GWP100). The production and use phases are undoubtedly the life cycle phases contributing most strongly. Existing life cycle inventories (LCI) were analysed to determine the most important components, and a normalization of the use phases was performed. The results highlight the prevalence of the production phase. Integrated circuits (ICs) play a major role, and the estimation of their impact should be thoroughly scrutinized. Finally, the location of the production plants is crucial as electricity generation accounts for a significant part of the GWP. Assumed electricity mixes explain much of the variations in both production and use phases |
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Jaroslaw Kusnierz, Indirect eects of measures for lifetime extension of mobile Internet-enabled devices, University of Zurich, Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics, 2020. (Master's Thesis)
An enormous number of IT devices used all over the world is the cause of a huge
demand for resources and energy required to manufacture such devices. Due to the
fact that many of these devices are used for a shorter period of time than technically
feasible it has become important to extend the lifetime of these devices in order to
mitigate the negative effects their production has on the environment. On the other
hand, lifetime extending measures may have indirect effects which may compensate for
savings gained by them. For example, repair shops require resources and energy to run
them and to transport devices to and from them. These indirect effects obscure the
total effects of measures of lifetime extension and make it difficult to evaluate them.
First part of this work consists of a brief literature review which attempts to establish
definition of the indirect effects and rebound effects. Next it analyzes related studies
in order to find data and framework to assess rebound effects considered in this work.
The following part is the analysis of the two lifetime extension measures which this
work focuses on based on the interviews conducted with the representatives of several
companies which specialize in repair and refurbishment of mobile Interned-enabled
devices (MIEDs) as well as analysis of similar studies. Finally, the rebound effects
which were identified are analyzed and an attempt to evaluate them compare them to
each other in regards to their environmental impact is attempted. |
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Andrea Meier, CSR und die Konzernverantwortungsinitiative: Eignung von Informationssystemen für die Umsetzung in Unternehmen, University of Zurich, Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics, 2020. (Bachelor's Thesis)
If the Swiss Initiative 'Konzernverantwortungsinitiative' regarding responsibilities for large corporations is adopted, is it possible for companies to use existing systems to meet the due diligence requirements? In this paper, requirements for an information system are derived from the 'Konzernverantwortungsinitiative'. The content of the initiative is then classified within Corporate Social Responsibility and supplemented with additional requirements from the exemplary Shared Value Model according to Porter. In the following, the two sub-areas of sustainability management are examined to determine whether they meet the requirements based on internationally recognized guidelines. The sub-areas include sustainability reporting analyzed on the basis of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and corporate environmental information systems in accordance with ISO 14001. |
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Sarah Zurmühle, Design and Construction of a Configuration User Interface Management System for a Simulation Game, University of Zurich, Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics, 2020. (Master's Thesis)
A User Interface Management System (UIMS) is designed and implemented to be used as a configuration system for a simulation game. Before a game session starts, the UIMS allows the user to select and edit the visualisations shown on the game screen as well as to decide which game elements are used. Furthermore, the UIMS defines an adjustable interface to all other relevant system components of the game. The created ontology Visual Component Specification Language is used to extract visual components from a git repository in order to show them on screen. The available visual components of the simulation game can therefore be dynamically loaded into the UIMS and the simulation game’s system. Additionally, the UIMS implements a dynamic data extraction mechanism. It also exports all generated configuration data in an extendable format. This allows the simulation game’s system to remain configurable even when project or gameplay mechanic requirements evolve. |
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Simon von Rotz, Implementation of a Generalized Binary Machine Learning Tool for Classifying Scientic Papers Based on Natural Language, University of Zurich, Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics, 2020. (Master's Thesis)
Green Zora is a project with the intention of showing the world which scientific papers submitted at the University of Zurich can be classified as being about sustainability. It is composed of a dynamic website, a machine learning tool and a backend that puts everything together. This thesis has two goals: The first goal is to improve the existing web application in various aspects regarding both visual design and usability and to make the tool applicable for various classification tasks beyond sustainability. The second goal is to research different machine learning algorithms and implement the best fit to improve the classification results.
In the first part of this thesis, I present the improvements to the existing project and the necessary steps to generalize the tool. The second part gives a short introduction to machine learning and natural language processing. Then I present different machine learning algorithms that I tested during this thesis and their evaluations. Finally, I share how the implementation of the best performing algorithm was done and what steps were taken to optimize the classification results. |
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Camilla Gretsch, Utilizing HoloLens for Product Configuration Ambient Lighting in Mixed Reality, University of Zurich, Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics, 2020. (Master's Thesis)
The terms product configuration, sustainability approaches, mixed reality, and HoloLens appear more frequently in public discussions, online forums, research papers and others. Each of this terms is individually crucial but they rarely emerge together in the same context. The thesis work aims to change this by demonstrating that it is possible to implement a product configurator together with ICT based sustainability approaches in mixed reality on HoloLens. For this purpose a use case in the area of lighting setup and energy consumption is defined and a high fidelity prototype developed. Based on the prototype an evaluation about the application of product configuration and sustainability in mixed reality is done, with the conclusion that the implementation is possible but further investigation is needed. |
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Vincent Theus, Bias and Discrimination in Machine Learning An Overview, University of Zurich, Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics, 2020. (Bachelor's Thesis)
Phrases such as biased AI or discrimination through machine learning have started appearing more and more in mainstream and social media. The AI industry is booming and an increasing number of decisions are being made by machines. Sometimes these decisions are perceived as ethically or morally wrong by society, which causes the algorithms that made these decisions to be labeled biased. But what does biased actually mean and when is it justified to speak of discrimination through machine learning? This thesis aims to examine bias and discrimination in machine learning more closely, provide a well formulated definitions of these terms and determine possible ways through which a machine learning algorithm could become biased during its development. Finally, the fairly new topic of machine learning in education is used to illustrate the possible consequences of using biased machine learning algorithms in schools. |
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Jacob L Orquin, Martin P Bagger, Erik S Lahm, Klaus G Grunert, Joachim Scholderer, The visual ecology of product packaging and its effects on consumer attention, Journal of Business Research, Vol. 111, 2020. (Journal Article)
Visual ecology is the study of how different species perceive their visual surroundings. We introduce the concept to consumer research and show that the micro-ecology of product packaging has a predictable visual ecology. Analyzing images of 158 consumer products, we show that brand-related packaging elements are visually conspicuous in terms of visual salience, surface size, and distance to center, while elements related to credence characteristics like sustainability and nutrition are visually inconspicuous. We show that the visual ecology of product packaging is a strong driver of consumer attention independently of consumer goals. Our findings suggest that the reason consumers regularly ignore sustainability and nutrition information is not lack of motivation, but because their visual environment acts as a barrier to attending this information. We conclude with a prediction for consumer attention given a policy intervention to increase the conspicuity of sustainability and nutrition information. |
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Basil Fuchs, Measures of Prolonging Mobile Internet-Enabled Devices Service Life, University of Zurich, Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics, 2020. (Bachelor's Thesis)
The ability of people to be online at all times has become a central element in social and professional interactions. Mobile internet-enabled devices (MIED), such as smartphones, laptops and tablets, are of paramount importance to this development. While it would be feasible to use these MIEDs for a longer period, the average service life of an MIED is estimated to be only three years.
This is problematic, especially when incorporating the fact that the production of MIEDs accounts for the largest part of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the life cycle of MIEDs.
Extending the service life of devices distributes the environmental impact that occurs during manufacturing over more years, therefore reducing the impact and the need for new devices and the electronic waste stream. The aim of this thesis is to provide an overview of measures that extend the service life of MIEDs (e.g. repair, production of modular MIEDs). The measures are based on a systematic literature review of existing measures to prolong the service life of MIEDs in scientific literature and business practices. Through this method, 96 measures to extend the service life of MIEDs have been identified. A categorisation has been created to reveal the various goals that the measures imply. The goal that was most represented was to improve repairability and upgradability (e.g. creating a modular device in which components can be swapped easily). Returning devices to a usable state is another well-represented target (including repair, refurbishing and remanufacturing). The individual measures and the categories, sub-categories and targets are described. |
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Patrick Zurmühle, Konzeptionierung und Implementierung eines intuitiven und motivierenden visuellen Feedbackmechanismus für das Simulationsspiel Post-Fossil Cities, University of Zurich, Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics, 2020. (Master's Thesis)
his master thesis investigates how the design of essential components of a visual feedback mechanism for the simulation game Post-Fossil Cities allows an intuitive interpretation for potential players and can have a motivating effect on them. For this purpose, different design options for the presentation of game-relevant information were developed. In an iterative process using formal usability testing, these were validated and concretized up to a practical implementation based on React and HTML Canvas. The evaluation of the usability testing results showed that a central element, namely the graphic of a water glass filling with a brown liquid, which symbolizes the cumulative emissions, has a powerfully motivating effect on players. This effect could be emphasized by the overflow of the liquid, which occurs when exceeding a critical limit value. Through this effect, the game element has the opportunity to convey to a viewer the urgency of climate-relevant measures. The use of conventional and commonly known diagram types enhanced an intuitive interpretation of game-relevant data. Unusual annotations that are relevant to the simulation context require concise labeling to be interpreted. Furthermore, the investigations could show that the use of the two categorical attributes of color-coded data in combination with unique icons promotes an intuitive mapping between physical game elements and digital visual content. |
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Nina Veflen, Joachim Scholderer, Solveig Langsrud, Situated Food Safety Risk and the Influence of Social Norms, Risk Analysis, Vol. 40 (5), 2020. (Journal Article)
Previous studies of risk behavior observed weak or inconsistent relationships between risk perception and risk‐taking. One aspect that has often been neglected in such studies is the situational context in which risk behavior is embedded: Even though a person may perceive a behavior as risky, the social norms governing the situation may work as a counteracting force, overriding the influence of risk perception. Three food context studies are reported. In Study 1 (N = 200), we assess how norm strength varies across different social situations, relate the variation in norm strength to the social characteristics of the situation, and identify situations with consistently low and high levels of pressure to comply with the social norm. In Study 2 (N = 502), we investigate how willingness to accept 15 different foods that vary in terms of objective risk relates to perceived risk in situations with low and high pressure to comply with a social norm. In Study 3 (N = 1,200), we test how risk‐taking is jointly influenced by the perceived risk associated with the products and the social norms governing the situations in which the products are served. The results indicate that the effects of risk perception and social norm are additive, influencing risk‐taking simultaneously but as counteracting forces. Social norm had a slightly stronger absolute effect, leading to a net effect of increased risk‐taking. The relationships were stable over different social situations and food safety risks and did not disappear when detailed risk information was presented. |
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Jan Bieser, Beatrice Salieri, Roland Hischier, Lorenz Hilty, Next generation mobile networks: Problem or opportunity for climate protection?, University of Zurich, Empa, Zurich, St. Gallen, https://www.ifi.uzh.ch/isr, 2020. (Published Research Report)
Requirements placed on mobile networks in terms of number and types of connected devices, data volumes and types of supported applications are increasing. 5G mobile networks, the roll-out of which is currently discussed in politics, industry and academia, are intended to meet these increasing requirements.
Rolling out network infrastructure is not only capital-intensive, it is also associated with significant energy requirements and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by producing and operating the network infrastructure. On the other hand, each generation of mobile network technologies has shown to enable additional types of applications so far. This enabling effect can have an impact on patterns of production and consumption and therefore on the related GHG emissions. For example, 5G technology is expected to be an enabler for automated driving, a use case which is expected to have substantial impacts on GHG emissions caused by transport in the long term.
As Switzerland has ratified the Paris Agreement and aims at being climate-neutral by 2050, it is important to assess the impact of 5G mobile networks on GHG emissions in Switzerland and to identify the main factors that influence the net GHG effect of this technology. For these reasons, the present study investigates the following research questions:
(1) How much GHG emissions will be caused by the production and operation of 5G network infrastructure in Switzerland in 2030?
(2) What are use cases which will benefit significantly from 5G mobile networks and what is their potential to contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions in Switzerland in 2030? |
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Lorenz Hilty, Software und Nachhaltigkeit: Wie Fremdbestimmung durch Software materielle Ressourcen entwertet, FIfF-Kommunikation (3/2020), 2020. (Journal Article)
Die digitale Transformation könnte eine Wirtschaftsweise ermöglichen, die natürliche Ressourcen schont. Software als immateriel-les Produkt kennt keinen Verschleiß. Die universelle Hardware, die zur Ausführung von Software benötigt wird, kommt mit immer weniger Material und Energie pro Leistungseinheit aus. Dennoch wächst der ökologische Fußabdruck der digitalen Transformation. Warum gelingt es uns bisher nicht, Digitalisierung und Nachhaltigkeit in Einklang zu bringen? |
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Jan Bieser, Ralph Hintemann, Severin Beucker, Stefanie Schramm, Lorenz Hilty, et al, Melissa Kühn, Klimaschutz durch digitale Technologien – Chancen und Risiken, Bitkom e.V., Berlin, https://www.bitkom.org/klimaschutz-digital, 2020. (Published Research Report)
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Maria Pouri, Lorenz Hilty, Digitally Enabled Sharing and the Circular Economy: Towards a Framework for Sustainability Assessment, In: Advances and New Trends in Environmental Informatics, Springer, Cham, p. 105 - 116, 2020. (Book Chapter)
The prevailing patterns of consumption and production are not sustainable because they are based on increasing extraction of non-renewable resources (such as fossil fuels or scarce metals) from the Earth’s crust and overuse of life-sustaining ecosystem services (such as CO2 assimilation or the water cycle). One strategy to direct consumption to a sustainable pathway is the circular economy. The goal of the circular economy is to slow down the flow of material resources through the anthroposphere and to return them back to nature in a form that is as compatible as possible with the ecosystem processes. We focus on the first aspect, which means that each unit of material resource that enters the economic system should satisfy as much human needs as possible until it is considered waste. We ask the question if and how the emerging “sharing economy” can contribute to this specific goal. We see the phenomenon of sharing economy as a transformation of sharing practices with means of digital Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The resulting Digital Sharing Economy (DSE) can therefore be considered an important special case of ICT impact on sustainable development. We open up an argument on how sharing in the DSE can be either supportive or counter-productive with regard to the circular economy goals. We present a first framework that provides a guideline for the qualitative assessment of new sharing practices with regard to their potential contribution to a circular economy. |
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Lukas Lippert, Lorenz Hilty, Surfen wir das Klima kaputt?, In: Beobachter, 6 December 2019. (Media Coverage)
Streaming ist das neue Fliegen, heisst es. Stimmt nicht, sagen Experten. Wie klimaschädlich ist das Internet wirklich?
Wir googeln, statt zu fragen. Wir unterhalten uns via Messenger-App, statt Freunde zu treffen. Das Internet verändert unser Leben. Und verschlingt Strom. Viel Strom: rund sechs Prozent des Bedarfs der Weltbevölkerung. Grund sind die gigantischen Mengen an Daten. Jede Sekunde werden weltweit fast 50'000 Gigabyte umhergeschickt. So viel wie die Datenmenge von 7000 Stunden Film in HD-Qualität. |
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Cornelia Zogg, Lorenz Hilty, Lieber Streamen als Fliegen, In: Empa Quarterly, 1 December 2019. (Media Coverage)
Streamen verbrauche Unmengen an Energie und sei mindestens so klimaschädigend wie der gesamte zivile Flugverkehr. Zu diesem Schluss kam eine französische Studie. Allgemein wird unterschätzt, was elektronische Geräte – neben dem Stromverbrauch – tatsächlich an Emissionen verursachen. Doch wie schädlich ist unser digitaler Konsum tatsächlich für die Umwelt? Lorenz Hilty, Leiter der Forschungsgruppe Informatik und Nachhaltigkeit an der Empa und der Universität Zürich, klärt auf. |
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Mirjam Hauck, Lorenz Hilty, «Irgendwann müssen wir umziehen, weil im Smart-Home die Tür nicht mehr aufgeht», In: Süddeutsche Zeitung, 20 November 2019. (Media Coverage)
Immer häufiger ist Software dafür verantwortlich, dass Geräte, die eigentlich top in Schuss sind, nicht mehr zu gebrauchen sind. Entweder sind aktuelle Betriebssysteme zu anspruchsvoll oder aber es gibt für ältere Geräte keine Sicherheitsupdates mehr. Dieser Verfall ist für die Herstellerfimen finanziell lukrativ, Kunden schauen in die Röhre. Experten fordern deshalb gesetzlichen Verbraucherschutz. |
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Clemens Mader, Pros and Cons of AI in Education and Research – Learnings from a TA study on AI , In: 4th European Technology Assessment Conference. 2019. (Conference Presentation)
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