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

Mohamed Sameer Hoosain, Babu Sena Paul and Seeram Ramakrishna
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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

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 23, 1-16

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.

Keywords: digital technologies; Industry 4.0; circular economy; circular economy tools; new paradigms for the future (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (20)

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