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The Impact of 4IR Digital Technologies and Circular Thinking on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Author

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  • Mohamed Sameer Hoosain

    (Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa)

  • Babu Sena Paul

    (Institute for Intelligent Systems, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa)

  • Seeram Ramakrishna

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore; Singapore 117575, Singapore)

Abstract

As we stand at the cusp of the fourth industrial revolution, digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, the Internet of Things, Big Data, Blockchain, Robotics, 3D technologies, and many more have become the means and solutions to many of the world’s problems. Most recently, these technologies have assisted in the global fight of the COVID-19 pandemic and other societal problems. Together with these innovative techniques, the concept of circular economy and its relevant tools such as life cycle costing, life cycle impact assessment, materials passports, and circularity measurements have been implemented in a number of sectors in different countries for the transition from a linear “take, make, and dispose” model towards a more circular model, which has shown positive results for the environment and economy. In this article, with the help of implementation, prototyping, and case studies, we explore how these technological advancements and innovative techniques are used in different sectors such as information and communications technology, the built environment, mining and manufacturing, education, healthcare, the public sectors, and others to provide an opportunity to understand and resolve the agreed upon framework in 2015 by 193 countries, that is, the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohamed Sameer Hoosain & Babu Sena Paul & Seeram Ramakrishna, 2020. "The Impact of 4IR Digital Technologies and Circular Thinking on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:23:p:10143-:d:456953
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Zhen Liu & Jing Liu & Mohamed Osmani, 2021. "Integration of Digital Economy and Circular Economy: Current Status and Future Directions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-27, June.
    5. Chunji Zheng & Feng Deng & Chengyou Li, 2022. "Energy-Saving Effect of Regional Development Strategy in Western China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-22, May.
    6. Robert Ferritto, 2024. "Will policy help close the digital gender divide? An intersectional feminist policy analysis of Ethiopia's national digital policy," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 42(2), March.
    7. Mohammed Abdul-Rahman & Mayowa I. Adegoriola & Wilson Kodwo McWilson & Oluwole Soyinka & Yusuf A. Adenle, 2023. "Novel Use of Social Media Big Data and Artificial Intelligence for Community Resilience Assessment (CRA) in University Towns," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-30, January.
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    9. Yasanur Kayikci & Nazlican Gozacan‐Chase & Abderahman Rejeb & Kaliyan Mathiyazhagan, 2022. "Critical success factors for implementing blockchain‐based circular supply chain," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(7), pages 3595-3615, November.
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    11. Zixi Wu & Wen Zhou & Aisi Yu, 2023. "Analysis of a Legal Regulation Approach and Strategy of a Sharing Economy Based on Technological Change and Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-19, January.
    12. Jayaluxmi Naidoo & Sarasvathie Reddy, 2023. "Embedding Sustainable Mathematics Higher Education in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Era Post-COVID-19: Exploring Technology-Based Teaching Methods," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-19, June.
    13. Damar Novtahaning & Hasnain Ali Shah & Jae-Mo Kang, 2022. "Deep Learning Ensemble-Based Automated and High-Performing Recognition of Coffee Leaf Disease," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-16, November.
    14. Kolade, Oluwaseun & Odumuyiwa, Victor & Abolfathi, Soroush & Schröder, Patrick & Wakunuma, Kutoma & Akanmu, Ifeoluwa & Whitehead, Timothy & Tijani, Bosun & Oyinlola, Muyiwa, 2022. "Technology acceptance and readiness of stakeholders for transitioning to a circular plastic economy in Africa," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    15. Arelys López-Concepción & Ana Gil-Lacruz & Isabel Saz-Gil & Víctor Bazán-Monasterio, 2022. "Social Well-Being for a Sustainable Future: The Influence of Trust in Big Business and Banks on Perceptions of Technological Development from a Life Satisfaction Perspective in Latin America," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.
    16. Joanna Brzyska & Izabela Szamrej-Baran, 2023. "The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals: The EU Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-19, September.
    17. Ilaria Tutore & Adele Parmentola & Michele Costagliola di Fiore & Francesco Calza, 2024. "A conceptual model of artificial intelligence effects on circular economy actions," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(5), pages 4772-4782, September.
    18. Chauhan, Chetna & Parida, Vinit & Dhir, Amandeep, 2022. "Linking circular economy and digitalisation technologies: A systematic literature review of past achievements and future promises," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    19. Yibrah Gebreyesus & Damian Dalton & Sebastian Nixon & Davide De Chiara & Marta Chinnici, 2023. "Machine Learning for Data Center Optimizations: Feature Selection Using Shapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP)," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-17, February.
    20. Mohamed Sameer Hoosain & Babu Sena Paul & Susanna Kass & Seeram Ramakrishna, 2023. "Tools Towards the Sustainability and Circularity of Data Centers," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 173-197, March.

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