A report from Juniper Research predicts that the number of green mobile applications is set to increase rapidly in the coming years and that such downloads could exceed 400m by 2014.

The Green Handsets and Applications report focuses on estimates of green app downloads, handset recycling rates, energy emissions from handset chargers and ‘green’ handset shipments. One reason for the predicted increase in the number of green downloads is that industry green measures will be supported by significant media promotion of eco-friendly lifestyles.

According to report author Dr Windsor Holden,

“While it is difficult to quantify the scale of the impact that these downloads will have on the environment, they provide the opportunity for consumers to make informed choices about their lifestyles. If they so choose, those consumers can then adjust their lifestyles so that their personal direct and indirect CO2 emissions are reduced.”

The green handsets whitepaper and further details of the study, ‘Green Mobile Handsets & Applications:  Strategies , Scenarios & Forecasts 2009-2014’ can be downloaded from the Juniper website.