The Intersection Between Technology and Sustainability:

Abstract:

The increasing impact of climate change and the depletion of natural resources have
led to a growing focus on sustainability. Technology has emerged as a key factor in
achieving sustainable development goals. This research paper examines the
relationship between technology and sustainability and identifies opportunities and
challenges in the pursuit of sustainable development and address the question of
whether technological change, even if it can be achieved, can reduce the impact of
economic development sufficiently to ensure other types of change will not be
necessary.

Introduction:

Sustainability has emerged as a critical challenge facing humanity in the 21st century.
The continued depletion of natural resources, the loss of biodiversity, and the increasing
impact of climate change are driving a growing focus on sustainability.

Achieving sustainable development goals requires a shift towards more sustainable

ways of living and working, and technology has emerged as a key factor in this
transition. Hardware, software, know-how, and other technologies are an essential tool
for sustainable development by providing innovative solutions to reduce the
environmental impact of human activities, conserve natural resources, and promote
social equity.

However, the relationship between technology and sustainability is complex, and there
are both opportunities and challenges associated with the use of technology to achieve
sustainable development goals. This research paper aims to explore the role of
technology in achieving sustainable development goals, identify the opportunities and
challenges associated with the use of technology for sustainability, provide examples of
how technology is being used to promote sustainability in different contexts and finally
address the question of whether technological change, if achieved, can reduce the
impact of economic development sufficiently to ensure other types of change will not be
necessary.
The research questions that guide this paper are:

- What is the relationship between technology and sustainability, and how can
technology contribute to sustainable development goals?
- What are the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of
technology for sustainability?
- How is technology being used to promote sustainability in different contexts, and
what can we learn from these examples?

Literature Review:

Technology has the potential to significantly contribute to achieving sustainable

development goals by providing innovative solutions to reduce environmental impact,
conserve natural resources, and promote social equity. In this section, let us get an
overview of the existing literature on technology and sustainability, examining the
different types of technologies that can contribute to sustainability, the benefits of using
technology for sustainability, and the challenges associated with its implementation.

Types of technologies that can contribute to sustainability:

- Smart cities technologies, including sensors, IoT devices, and big data analytics,
can help to create more sustainable and livable cities. Smart city technologies
can enable efficient transportation, reduce energy consumption, and improve
public services.

- Renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, and hydropower have the
potential to provide clean and sustainable sources of energy, reduce greenhouse
gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Energy efficiency
technologies, such as smart buildings and energy-efficient appliances, can also
help to reduce energy consumption and improve energy efficiency.

- Circular economy technologies can help to reduce waste and increase resource
efficiency. Circular economy practices include designing products for longevity,
reusing and repurposing materials, and recycling.

These practices can help to reduce the environmental impact of resource extraction and
manufacturing, conserve natural resources, and create economic opportunities.
Thus, using technology for sustainability can have several benefits. First, it can help to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Second,
it can promote energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption. Third, it can conserve
natural resources by reducing waste and increasing resource efficiency. Fourth, it can
create economic opportunities by promoting sustainable business models. Finally, it
can promote social equity by providing access to clean energy and improving public
services.

However, there are a few challenges associated with the use of technology for
sustainability.

One of the challenges is the digital divide, which refers to the gap between those who
have access to technology and those who do not. This can create inequalities in access
to information, education, and economic opportunities.
Another challenge is the risk of technological lock-in, which occurs when a particular
technology becomes dominant and inhibits the development of alternative
technologies. This can limit innovation and hinder progress towards sustainability.
Also, policy and regulatory frameworks are necessary to ensure that technology is used
in a sustainable and equitable manner- however, current frameworks may not be
sufficient to address the unique challenges associated with sustainability. For example,
current policy frameworks may not incentivize sustainable business models or provide
adequate funding for sustainable technologies. Addressing policy and regulatory
frameworks requires developing new policies and regulatory frameworks that promote
sustainability and align with sustainable development goals.

Opportunities for using technology to achieve sustainable development goals:

Technology presents significant opportunities for achieving sustainable development

goals by providing innovative solutions to reduce environmental impact, conserve
natural resources, and promote social equity. In this section, let us explore the
opportunities that technology presents for achieving sustainable development goals,
including the potential of emerging technologies and sustainable business models.
1. Emerging technologies:

Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and the

internet of things (IoT), have the potential to revolutionize sustainability efforts.
AI, for example, can be used to optimize energy consumption and reduce waste.
Blockchain technology can help to track the origin of materials and ensure their
ethical sourcing, promoting sustainable supply chains. The IoT can enable the
efficient management of resources and the reduction of energy consumption in
buildings and cities.

2. Sustainable business models:

Sustainable business models can also provide opportunities for using technology
to achieve sustainable development goals. Circular economy business models,
for example, focus on designing products for longevity, reusing and repurposing
materials, and recycling. These models can reduce waste, conserve natural
resources, and create economic opportunities. Social entrepreneurship, which
combines business principles with social and environmental goals, can also
provide opportunities for promoting sustainability.

3. Sustainable finance:

Sustainable finance is another opportunity for using technology to achieve

sustainable development goals. Technology can enable the efficient allocation of
capital to sustainable projects and businesses, promoting sustainable
development. Sustainable finance can also help to address the climate finance
gap ( the mismatch between the financing needed for climate action and the
funding available )

4. Citizen engagement:

Technology can also facilitate citizen engagement and participation in

sustainability efforts. Citizen science, for example, involves the participation of
citizens in scientific research, enabling them to contribute to environmental
monitoring and research. Social media can also be used to raise awareness and
mobilize citizens for sustainability efforts.
 5. Sustainable agriculture:

Technology can be used to promote sustainable agriculture practices such as

precision farming, which involves using sensors and data analytics to optimize
crop yields and reduce waste. Sustainable agriculture practices can help reduce
the environmental impact of agriculture, such as reducing water usage and
fertilizer runoff. This is an emerging field with a lot of potential, an example of a
companyin this sector, Bue River, is listed in the next section.

CASE STUDIES:

Let us look at some companies who demonstrate the use of technology to achieve
sustainable development goals:

1. Ecovative Design:

Ecovative Design is a company that was founded in 2007 with the goal of
developing sustainable materials that can replace traditional plastics. The
company uses mycelium-based material synthesis, which involves growing
mushrooms on agricultural waste to create materials that can be molded into
various shapes. These materials are biodegradable and compostable, which
reduces waste and conserves natural resources. Ecovative Design's sustainable
materials are used in a variety of applications, including packaging, insulation,
and furniture.

2. Ecosia:

Ecosia is a search engine that uses its revenue to fund tree-planting initiatives
worldwide. They leverage technology to provide an eco-friendly alternative to
traditional search engines while actively supporting reforestation projects.
3. The Ocean Cleanup:

The Ocean Cleanup is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2013 with the
goal of developing technology to clean up plastic pollution from the ocean. The
organization's main technology is the System 001, which is a floating barrier that
uses ocean currents to collect plastic debris. The collected plastic is then
recycled into new products. By using technology to address ocean pollution, The
Ocean Cleanup promotes sustainability and conserves marine ecosystems.

4. Blue River:

Blue River was founded by Jorge Heraud and Lee Redden in 2011. They made
agricultural technology using AI. So, what they did was build these machines that
would be towed behind a tractor, in big agricultural fields. This machine would
take pictures of crops and figure out which is a crop and which is a weed, and
use precision AI to kill off just the weeds, but not the crop thereby reducing the
need for widespread spraying and minimizing chemical usage. Overall, Blue
River's innovative technologies contribute to sustainable agriculture by
optimizing resource usage, reducing chemical inputs, and promoting
environmentally responsible farming practices

5. Masdar City:

Masdar City is a planned city in Abu Dhabi that was designed to be sustainable
and carbon-neutral. The city uses renewable energy sources such as solar and
wind power, and is designed to minimize energy consumption through passive
cooling and other energy-efficient technologies. Masdar City also incorporates
sustainable transportation systems such as electric vehicles and a network of
pedestrian and bicycle paths. The city was designed to be a hub for research and
development in sustainable technologies, and is home to several research
institutions focused on sustainability. By using technology to create a
sustainable city, Masdar City demonstrates the potential for sustainable urban
development.
 6. The Soccket:

The soccket is an energy generating soccer ball that turns into a lamp. During a
trip to Nigeria, inventor and entrepreneur Jessica O. Matthews saw a need for
sustainable power in the small villages she visited. She also saw kids playing a
lot of soccer.

Putting this combination together, she invented the Soccket ball, an

energy-generating soccer ball that turns into a lamp or a charging station.
It basically works on conservation of energy, converting the kinetic energy to
electric energy. Her invention is not only fun, but it helps solve a need for
sustainable electricity in off-the-grid homes around the globe.

7. Nexus Power:

Nexus Power makes rechargeable, bio-organic, and biodegradable batteries from

crop residue. The crop residue is agricultural waste that is generally burnt ,
causing heavy air pollution in many states in winters.

These case studies provide examples of how technology can be used to promote
sustainability and achieve sustainable development goals. They demonstrate the
potential for technology to provide innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and
also highlight the importance of collaboration between technology providers,
businesses, nonprofits, and governments to achieve sustainable development goals.
Economic Growth and Environmental Responsibility

Sustainable development policies aim to transform the nature of economic growth

rather than restrict it. These policies operate under the belief that continuous growth in
a world with finite resources is achievable through the utilization of technology.

Technological advancements enable the exploration of new sources or the provision of

alternatives when specific resources become scarce. Moreover, technology facilitates
the efficient utilization and reuse of remaining resources. The tools employed in
sustainable development, such as economic incentives, legislative measures, and
consumer influence, focus on driving technological changes like recycling, waste
reduction, material substitution, process optimization, pollution control, and resource
efficiency.

According to the British Pearce Report, addressing resource consumption involves

strategies such as recycling and minimizing waste. It also suggests that environmental
damage resulting from waste disposal can be minimized using similar approaches. The
adoption of recycling, product redesign, conservation, and low-waste technology can
effectively mitigate the flow of waste to resources, representing a significant aspect of a
sustainable development pathway towards economic progress.
CLEAN TECHNOLOGY VS END-OF-PIPE REMEDIES:

Historically, environmental cleanup efforts have focused on "cleaning technologies"

rather than "clean technologies." The former refers to technologies added to existing
processes to control and reduce pollution (end-of-pipe technologies), while the latter
involves adopting new technologies that inherently minimize environmental impact.
Clean technologies are preferred as they avoid the need to extract and handle toxic
materials from waste streams.

Cramer and Zegveld suggest using process technologies that require less water, energy,
and raw materials, while reducing waste discharges. Changes can be made to inputs
and processes, such as using solvent-free inks and paints and heavy metal-free
pigments. Redesigning end products to minimize environmental harm during
manufacturing and use, as well as reusing waste within the production process, are also
important.

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) found that most
investment in pollution control focused on end-of-pipe technologies, with only a small
percentage allocated to cleaner production. Challenges arise because cleaner
technologies may not always be readily available, and companies tend to stick with their
old technologies until they have reached the end of their useful life. Companies also
prefer to minimize organizational changes and take a cautious approach to investing in
pollution management.

End-of-pipe technologies are often seen as temporary fixes that fail to address the root
causes of environmental problems. They can generate additional issues, like the
trade-off between improving fuel combustion efficiency and increasing greenhouse gas
emissions or the formation of photochemical smog due to higher combustion
temperatures. Barry Commoner argues that relying solely on technological fixes without
addressing the inherent flaws of technology itself is not a sustainable solution.

Some argue that technology is not inherently harmful but becomes so when used
insensitively. Others contend that technologies often have unintended side effects that
were not initially considered. Commoner disagrees, suggesting that pollution problems
arise not from minor inadequacies but from the very success of technologies in
achieving their intended goals. He highlights how plastics were designed to be
persistent and fertilizers were intended to enrich soil with nitrogen, leading to
unintended consequences in the environment.
Commoner calls for a new approach to technology that takes ecological knowledge into
account and aims to harmonize with natural systems. For instance, rather than treating
sewage in isolation, he suggests incorporating it back into the natural cycle by returning
it to the soil instead of discharging it into waterways. He emphasizes the importance of
designing technology that aligns with the broader ecosystem rather than focusing on
isolated parts.

Overall, the shift from end-of-pipe technologies to clean technologies is crucial for
addressing environmental challenges effectively and achieving sustainable outcomes.

APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGIES- NO FUTURE?

The appropriate technology movement emerged in the 1970s as a response to the need
for technology that is in harmony with natural systems. It sought to develop
technologies that are tailored to the specific context in which they are used, taking into
account both the biophysical and psycho-social aspects of the environment. The
movement, inspired by the ideas of E.F. Schumacher aimed to assist low-income
countries by improving their existing practices through what he called "intermediate
technology.”

As the movement grew, it expanded its focus to address environmental and social
challenges in industrialized high-income countries as well. It distinguished itself from
the approach of "technological fixes" by advocating for the invention of non-polluting
technologies and the use of renewable resources. The goal was to create technologies
that have minimal negative impact on the environment.

Despite its longevity and the existence of a network of organizations, projects, and
dedicated literature, the appropriate technology movement has struggled to influence
mainstream technology choices.

While it has achieved some successful projects, it has remained a minority theme within
technology policy and practice. Kelvin Willoughby, a scholar who has studied the
movement, points out that although the movement's core ideas are appealing and
commonsense, it has failed to bring about a transformative shift in industrial and
technological practices in most countries.
In summary, the appropriate technology movement sought to develop technology that
aligns with natural systems and addresses social and environmental challenges.
However, its impact has been limited in mainstream society, despite its track record of
successful projects and the appeal of its principles.

WHY ARENT ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES ADOPTED?

Technological paradigms are shared sets of beliefs and practices within the engineering
profession. Engineers and technicians who have similar educational and work
experience backgrounds subscribe to these paradigms. They provide a framework for
defining relevant problems, identifying specific knowledge for their solutions, and
guiding technological directions. Engineers working within a particular paradigm tend to
focus their attention and efforts on certain directions that align with the paradigm, while
other possibilities may go unnoticed or be dismissed.

Technological development occurs within these paradigms, resulting in gradual changes

and improvements to existing technologies. Radical technological innovation, on the
other hand, often faces resistance because it requires substantial social and
organizational changes. Firms may have vested interests in maintaining the status quo,
as radical changes can disrupt established systems, alter production methods, and
impact relationships with employees, clients, and suppliers.

The reluctance of governments to act against business interests can limit the
effectiveness of legislation and economic instruments in fostering technological
change for ecological sustainability. Such regulations are often not stringent enough to
drive the required changes. Business leaders may perceive strong government
intervention as an infringement on their autonomy, and there is a prevailing public
sentiment that decisions about technological means and production should remain in
corporate hands.

Within the appropriate technology movement, there was a belief that if alternative
technologies proved to be environmentally beneficial and economically sound, they
would be widely accepted. However, many advocates of appropriate technologies failed
to consider the historical context, existing institutional realities, and reasons why certain
technologies had been accepted or rejected in the first place. This oversight limited their
understanding of the social, political, and economic factors that influence technological
adoption and implementation.
Therefore, while technological advancements provide tools to address pollution and
environmental challenges, their utilization is not automatic. Societal, political, and
economic factors, as well as vested interests and prevailing paradigms, play crucial
roles in shaping the adoption and implementation of technology for sustainability.

Comprehensive consideration of these factors is necessary to facilitate effective

technological change and achieve long-term environmental goals.

CONCLUSION:

Technology and sustainability are two critical concepts that are becoming increasingly
intertwined. Technology has the potential to provide innovative solutions to
sustainability challenges, from reducing waste and conserving resources to addressing
climate change and promoting sustainable development.

This paper has provided an overview of the opportunities and challenges associated
with using technology to promote sustainability, and attempts to answer a few
questions. The opportunities include the development of renewable energy sources, the
use of sustainable materials, the implementation of smart systems to reduce energy
consumption and emissions, and the creation of sustainable cities and communities.
The challenges include the need for technological innovation and investment, the need
for policies and regulations to promote sustainability, and the need for collaboration and
partnerships between various stakeholders.

The case studies provided in this paper demonstrate the potential for technology to
achieve sustainable development goals in various contexts and highlight the
importance of collaboration between technology providers, businesses, nonprofits, and
governments to achieve sustainable development goals.

The success of sustainable development depends on embracing radical technological

innovation rather than relying on temporary fixes. However, it remains uncertain whether
governments will take the necessary steps to enforce such innovation, as it requires a
long-term perspective and willingness to bear short-term economic costs while
industries adjust. Even if cleaner technologies are implemented, simply reducing
pollution levels may not be sufficient if overall production continues to grow.
Relying solely on technological advancements and human ingenuity to preserve current
lifestyles and meet increasing consumption demands is insufficient. It is crucial to
redesign technological systems rather than relying on temporary fixes that often prove
inadequate in the long run. Technological optimism must be accompanied by
fundamental social change and a shift in priorities. Mere availability of appropriate or
clean technologies does not guarantee their widespread adoption, which was a mistake
made by many in the Appropriate Technology Movement.

As we move forward, it is crucial to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, encourage

research and development, and promote responsible innovation. By harnessing the
power of technology and embracing sustainable practices, we can pave the way
towards a more resilient and prosperous future for both present and future generations.

In conclusion, technology serves as a vital enabler of sustainability, offering

transformative solutions, inspiring behavioral change, and creating opportunities for a
greener, more sustainable world. Embracing technology in harmony with sustainable
principles is our pathway to a brighter and more sustainable future.
REFERENCES:

https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda

https://www.iea.org/reports/energy-technology-perspectives-2017

https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2020/01/27/economic-growth-environmental-sustainability/

https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/topics/technology

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652615012287

https://medium.com/@pedrorobledobpm/digital-transformation-life-cycle-b9eac584785

https://www.ecovative.com/pages/our-story

https://theoceancleanup.com/oceans/

(PDF) Smart Sustainable Cities: Definition and Challenges

https://www.inspirecleanenergy.com/blog/clean-energy-101/why-dont-we-use-more-ren
ewable-energy

https://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1049&context=artspapers

https://www.eli.org/international-programs/technologies-sustainable-development

https://www.ggspdt.com/24-clean-technology.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8069999/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360498162_Technology_and_Sustainability

https://www.gdrc.org/techtran/a-tech/whatisat.html

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/end-of-pipe-techn
ology

https://www.itu.int/en/mediacentre/backgrounders/Pages/icts-to-achieve-the-united-na
tions-sustainable-development-goals.aspx