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Technologies Empowered Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG): An Industry 4.0 Landscape

Author

Listed:
  • Archana Saxena

    (Uttaranchal Institute of Management, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India)

  • Rajesh Singh

    (Uttaranchal Institute of Technology, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India
    Department of Project Management, Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana, Campeche 24560, CP, Mexico)

  • Anita Gehlot

    (Uttaranchal Institute of Technology, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India
    Department of Project Management, Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana, Campeche 24560, CP, Mexico)

  • Shaik Vaseem Akram

    (Uttaranchal Institute of Technology, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India
    Law College Dehradun, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India)

  • Bhekisipho Twala

    (Digital Transformation Portfolio, Tshwane University of Technology, Staatsartillerie Rd., Pretoria West, Pretoria 0183, South Africa)

  • Aman Singh

    (Higher Polytechnic School, Universidad Europea del Atlantico, C/Isabel Torres 21, 39011 Santander, Spain
    Department of Engineering, Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana, Arecibo, PR 00613, USA)

  • Elisabeth Caro Montero

    (Higher Polytechnic School, Universidad Europea del Atlantico, C/Isabel Torres 21, 39011 Santander, Spain
    Department of Project Management, Universidade Internacional do Cuanza, Estrada Nacional 250, Bairro Kaluapanda, Cuito EN250, Bié, Angola)

  • Neeraj Priyadarshi

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, JIS College of Engineering, Kolkata 741235, West Bengal, India)

Abstract

Currently, sustainability is a vital aspect for every nation and organization to accomplish Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics are used to evaluate the sustainability level of an organization. According to the statistics, 53% of respondents in the BlackRock survey are concerned about the availability of low ESG data, which is critical for determining the organization’s sustainability level. This obstacle can be overcome by implementing Industry 4.0 technologies, which enable real-time data, data authentication, prediction, transparency, authentication, and structured data. Based on the review of previous studies, it was determined that only a few studies discussed the implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies for ESG data and evaluation. The objective of the study is to discuss the significance of ESG data and report, which is used for the evaluation of the sustainability of an organization. In this regard, the assimilation of Industry 4.0 technologies (Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and big data for obtaining ESG data by an organization is detailed presented to study the progress of advancement of these technologies for ESG. On the basis of analysis, this study concludes that consumers are concerned about the ESG data, as most organizations develop inaccurate ESG data and suggest that these digital technologies have a crucial role in framing an accurate ESG report. After analysis a few vital conclusions are drawn such as ESG investment has benefited from AI capabilities, which previously relied on self-disclosed, annualized company information that was susceptible to inherent data issues and biases. Finally, the article discusses the vital recommendations that can be implemented for future work.

Suggested Citation

  • Archana Saxena & Rajesh Singh & Anita Gehlot & Shaik Vaseem Akram & Bhekisipho Twala & Aman Singh & Elisabeth Caro Montero & Neeraj Priyadarshi, 2022. "Technologies Empowered Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG): An Industry 4.0 Landscape," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2022:i:1:p:309-:d:1014300
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Yang, Yifei & Lyu, Jingyi & Wei, Yajun, 2025. "Big data applications, technological empowerment, and corporate ESG performance," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 86(PB).
    4. Matías Domínguez-Quiñones & Iñaki Aliende & Lorenzo Escot, 2025. "Assessment of TCFD Voluntary Disclosure Compliance in the Spanish Energy Sector: A Text Mining Approach to Climate Change Financial Disclosures," World, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-30, July.
    5. Paridhi & Neha Saini & Charu Shri, 2025. "Environmental, social, and governance reporting adoption factors for sustainable development at the country level," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(3), pages 8003-8042, March.
    6. Timothy Masuni Nagriwum & Ummar Faruk Saeed & Mohammed Awal Zingnaa Iddrisu, 2025. "Synergizing CEO capability and green innovation intensity to drive ESG disclosure: insights from contemporaneous correlation techniques," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 5(5), pages 1-34, May.
    7. Prodia Nur Kemala & Deddy Priatmodjo Koesrindartoto & Dzikri Firmansyah Hakam, 2026. "Advancing inclusive finance through financial technology (FinTech): peer-to-peer (P2P) and digital lending as catalyst for financial inclusion," Digital Finance, Springer, vol. 8(1), pages 1-20, March.
    8. Caropul Mendes & Hugo Raposo & Ricardo Ferraz & José Torres Farinha, 2023. "The Economic Management of Physical Assets: The Practical Case of an Urban Passenger Transport Company in Portugal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-19, July.
    9. Cini, Federico & Ferrari, Annalisa, 2025. "Towards the estimation of ESG ratings: A machine learning approach using balance sheet ratios," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 73(PB).
    10. Douae Youbi & Abdessamad Ouchen, 2026. "Artificial intelligence in green finance: Insights from a PRISMA-driven bibliometric analysis in R," Post-Print hal-05504935, HAL.
    11. Ashwag Madkhali & Seedwell T. M. Sithole, 2023. "Exploring the Role of Information Technology in Supporting Sustainability Efforts in Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-20, August.
    12. Costantiello, Alberto & Drago, Carlo & Arnone, Massimo & Leogrande, Angelo, 2024. "Regional Research Intensity and ESG Indicators in Italy: Insights from Panel Data Models and Machine Learning," MPRA Paper 124185, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    13. Cai, Cen & Li, Yijia & Tu, Yongqian, 2024. "Big data capabilities, ESG performance and corporate value," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 96(PA).
    14. Nicoletti, Bernardo & Appolloni, Andrea, 2024. "A framework for digital twins solutions for 5 PL operators," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    15. Asif, Muhammad & Searcy, Cory & Castka, Pavel, 2023. "ESG and Industry 5.0: The role of technologies in enhancing ESG disclosure," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).

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