Potential and limitations of digital twins to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

Asaf Tzachor (), Soheil Sabri, Catherine E. Richards, Abbas Rajabifard and Michele Acuto
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Asaf Tzachor: University of Cambridge, Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (CSER)
Soheil Sabri: University of Melbourne, School of Engineering, Department of Infrastructure Engineering, Centre for SDIs and Land Administration
Catherine E. Richards: University of Cambridge, Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (CSER)
Abbas Rajabifard: University of Melbourne, School of Engineering, Department of Infrastructure Engineering, Centre for SDIs and Land Administration
Michele Acuto: University of Melbourne, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning

Nature Sustainability, 2022, vol. 5, issue 10, 822-829

Abstract: Abstract Could computer simulation models drive our ambitions to sustainability in urban and non-urban environments? Digital twins, defined here as real-time, virtual replicas of physical and biological entities, may do just that. However, despite their touted potential, digital twins have not been examined critically in urban sustainability paradigms—not least in the Sustainable Development Goals framework. Accordingly, in this Perspective, we examine their benefits in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals. Then, we discuss critical limitations when modelling socio-technical and socio-ecological systems and go on to discuss measures to treat these limitations and design inclusive, reliable and responsible computer simulations for achieving sustainable development.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-022-00923-7

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