Are emerging technologies unlocking the potential of sustainable practices in the context of a net-zero economy? An analysis of driving forces

Abstract

Increasing globalization and climate change have significantly affected business activities. Government and other stakeholders are creating pressure to have a sustainable business model for efficient resource utilization and minimizing negative environmental impact. Many organizations have started focusing on sustainable and cleaner production through the adoption of net-zero economy (NZE) practices. Certain technological advancements are required to put these concepts into practice. Firms have begun to adopt digital technologies (such as big data analytics, artificial intelligence, and internet of things), and have been widely used in practice to achieve NZE. Is digitalization unlocking the potential of sustainable practices in the context of a net-zero economy? This question is still unanswered; therefore, this study aims to identify and analyze the drivers of digitalization that ensure sustainable practices to achieve net-zero economy. Through an extensive literature review and experts’ opinions, a list of drivers was identified. An empirical investigation was conducted to validate the identified drivers and further understand the influencing relationship among the drivers, Pythagorean fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (PF-DEMATEL) was employed. The findings of the study show that “ high degree of automation ,” “ enhancing the flexibility in the manufacturing process ,” and “ real-time sensing capability ” are the main influencer drivers among all cause group forces. The present study can be a source for industrial practitioners and academia that can provide significant guidance on how the adoption of digitalization can unlock the potential to achieve CE, which can lead us toward net-zero.

On the Definition, Assessment, and Enhancement of Circular Economy across Various Industrial Sectors: A Literature Review and Recent Findings

“…More specifically, combining IoT, machine learning, robotics, transportation management systems, and 3D printing can enhance the link between technology and sustainable practices while improving business performance in Circular Supply Chains [105,135,136]. Agrawal et al [137] investigated the transition in supply chains from a linear economy to CE and eventually to a net-zero economy (NZE). It identifies 19 key drivers, such as high automation, manufacturing process flexibility, and real-time sensing, through DEMATEL analysis.…”

Nonlinear Effects of Environmental Data Disclosure on Urban Pollution Emissions: Evidence from China

“…Environmental data disclosure increases urban environmental constraints, and in the era of digital economy, the phenomena of urban industrial restructuring and industrial agglomeration are intensifying. The environmental pressure brought by environmental data disclosure motivates cities to use various digital technologies to amplify the positive effects of industrial agglomeration and improve resource utilization efficiency as much as possible [51,52]. Many traditional heavy-industry cities with unreasonable industrial structures continue to optimize industrial layouts, strengthen industrial collaborative agglomeration, increase urban clean investment, promote the exit of pollution-oriented enterprises from the market [29], and improve the level of green technology innovation through the introduction and development of high-tech industry and a knowledge-intensive service industry to enhance the urban green total factor productivity [53].…”

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“…More specifically, a combination of IoT, machine learning, robotics, transportation management systems, and 3D printing can enhance the link between technology and sustainable practices while improving business performance in Circular Supply Chains [104,134,135]. Agrawal et al [136] investigated the transition in supply chains from a linear economy to CE and eventually to a net-zero economy (NZE). It identifies 19 key drivers, such as high automation, manufacturing process flexibility, and real-time sensing, through DEMATEL analysis.…”