Towards a Low-Carbon Future: Evaluating 3D Printing’s Alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 13

Joel Sam John and Salman Pervaiz ()
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Joel Sam John: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology—Dubai Campus, Dubai P.O. Box 341055, United Arab Emirates
Salman Pervaiz: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology—Dubai Campus, Dubai P.O. Box 341055, United Arab Emirates

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-30

Abstract: Sustainable development goals were laid out by the United Nations in 2015 as a means to address the profound issues present in the world by 2030. Nations have been encouraged to make amendments to their policies and frameworks by adding the SDGs to promote sustainability. In this era, where nations look for sustainable solutions, 3D printing has emerged as a revolutionary technology that has the potential to aid in accomplishing the SDGs. Advancements and developments in technology have boosted manufacturing efficiency and provide the pathway to achieving the set targets of multiple SDGs. Thus, this article looked into the potential contribution of 3D printing towards Sustainable Development Goal 13—Climate Action. A comprehensive literature review was performed using the PRISMA framework to understand the latest advancements in 3D printing and how 3D printing has been used to achieve the SDG targets. Moreover, an exploration of the impact of 3D printing on SDG 13 was performed. The potential impact topics explored include the reduction in GHG emissions using sustainable AM, decentralized manufacturing, resilient infrastructure to climatic hazards, the circular economy and product lifecycle extension. Qualitative analysis was conducted by looking into the effects of the SDGs on both the environmental and socio-technical aspects. Challenges in the implementation of AM within different economic sectors and its potential solutions are discussed in this article. The literature review and qualitative analysis pointed to a strong correlation between SDG 13 and 3D printing, paving the way for a sustainable future.

Keywords: 3D printing; sustainable development goals; SDG 13; climate action; GHG emissions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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