Assessing the Impact of ICT on the Quality of the Environment in Iran and the Countries of the Persian Gulf

In recent decades, information and communication technology (ICT) have created massive social and economic changes in all spheres. ICT impacts on the environment can be of different dimensions. So that it can be expected that the use of technology can have a positive effect on the environment or vice versa and can have a devastating impact on environmental sustainability. Therefore, this study attempts to assess effects of ICT on quality of the environment in Iran and 7 countries in the Persian Gulf area in the period 2005 to 2012, using panel data methods. The results show that telephone lines as ICT indicators have negative and significant effect, GDP per capita variable positive effect and concentration of population and GDP per capita squared had negative effects on quality of the environment. Also it should be noted, the obtained results have approved the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis.

ICT, Quality of the Environment, Panel Data, Iran, Persian Gulf.