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

Author

Listed:
  • 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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    2. Konstantinos Demestichas & Emmanouil Daskalakis, 2020. "Information and Communication Technology Solutions for the Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-19, September.
    3. Barbier, Edward B. & Burgess, Joanne C., 2017. "The sustainable development goals and the systems approach to sustainability," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal (2007-2020), Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), vol. 11, pages 1-23.
    4. Eglantina Hysa & Alba Kruja & Naqeeb Ur Rehman & Rafael Laurenti, 2020. "Circular Economy Innovation and Environmental Sustainability Impact on Economic Growth: An Integrated Model for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-16, June.
    5. Ricardo Vinuesa & Hossein Azizpour & Iolanda Leite & Madeline Balaam & Virginia Dignum & Sami Domisch & Anna Felländer & Simone Daniela Langhans & Max Tegmark & Francesco Fuso Nerini, 2020. "The role of artificial intelligence in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
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