The New Digital Economy and Sustainability: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the interconnection between the concepts of digital economy and sustainability. These concepts have become popular due to awareness of climate change and the increased development and adoption of technologies. Researchers, business leaders and policymakers are exploring the many ways digital technologies can be used to address sustainability issues. Using a systematic literature review with a bibliometric analysis, we examined a sample of 92 studies indexed in SCOPUS to identify research activity on this topic up until April 2023. We found that 2022 had the highest number of peer-reviewed articles, with 31 publications. During the research, we identified multiple opportunities for this interconnection, such as developing renewable energies and sustainable technological solutions, smart cities and sustainable urbanization, and sustainable consumption. These opportunities enabled by digital technologies allow companies to adopt sustainable business strategies and develop sustainable products. Despite these opportunities, the digital economy presents several challenges that can hinder efforts to achieve sustainability goals, such as increasing e-waste, high energy consumption and rising carbon emissions, the digital divide, job insecurity, growing monopolies, and data protection. These issues must be addressed to enable the optimal use of the opportunities presented in the digital economy to promote sustainability.

Exploring the Influence of the Digital Economy on Energy, Economic, and Environmental Resilience: A Multinational Study across Varied Carbon Emission Groups

“…Similarly, the estimate for the coefficient of the variable "Food Security" (Fs) is −0.008, which is statistically significant at a 99% confidence level, indicating that food security also negatively and significantly impacts energy resilience. One possible reason is that insufficient food security can lead to increased vulnerability in energy systems, particularly in terms of energy production, distribution, and access [100]. When a population lacks access to an adequate and reliable food supply, it can affect their overall well-being and ability to meet their energy needs.…”

Teachers’ Experience and Perceptions of Sustainable Digitalization in School Education: An Existential Phenomenological Study of Teachers in Romania, Greece, Cyprus, Iceland, and The Netherlands

“…While digital technologies offer innovative and environmentally friendly solutions-embracing renewable energy and propelling smart cities and sustainable urbanization-there are some challenges that pose potential hindrances to achieving sustainability goals. This dichotomy underscores the urgent need for critical assessment and mitigation of these challenges [8]. The act of working and studying online, facilitated by digital devices and cloud platforms, inadvertently consumes electricity, contributing to the expansion of our digital carbon footprint [9].…”

Digital Revolution, Sustainability, and Government Revenues: A Transversal Analysis of How Digital Transformation and Sustainable Practices Impact Sustainable Government Revenues

“…The technological characteristics of the digital economy have become a significant force in promoting sustainable development, bringing innovations that significantly impact people's quality of life and environmental protection. This technical progress opens new opportunities for increasing organizational profitability and implementing more sustainable economic practices [33].…”