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Opportunities and Challenges of Blockchain in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 11780

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Shu-Fen Tu

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Guest Editor

Department of Information Management, Chinese Culture University, Taipei 11114, Taiwan
Interests: blockchain applications; sentiment analysis; digital watermarking; quantitative methods

Prof. Dr. Ching-Sheng Hsu

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Guest Editor

Department of Information Management, Ming Chun University, Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan
Interests: blockchain technology, e-learning, data mining and Big Data; information hiding and digital watermarking; visual cryptography and secret sharing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In 2015, the United Nations announced 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), guiding the world to act together towards sustainability. The goal is to jointly address issues, including poverty, water pollution, climate change, and urban sustainability, by 2030. Some past studies have shown that Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can provide opportunities and help in achieving the SDGs. As the most-watched emerging information and communication technology in recent years, Blockchain brings about new opportunities and impacts for the public and private sectors in many areas. While the initial applications of Blockchain were concentrated in the financial sector, as it has evolved, its use has expanded to other areas. However, there is a lack of academic efforts to establish a theoretical framework for the achievement of the SDGs with Blockchain. This Special Issue focuses mainly on how Blockchain can be a digital enabler to help government or enterprises achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We encourage original research articles, success stories, or comprehensive reviews of Blockchain-based information systems corresponding to the SDGs. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

Empirical research of the adoption of Blockchain in information systems to achieve the SDGs;
Technological, organizational, or regulatory challenges posed by Blockchain-based information systems for the SDGs;
Case studies on the implementation of Blockchain-based information systems for the SDGs;
Convergence of Blockchain and other emerging technologies for the SDGs.

Prof. Dr. Shu-Fen Tu
Prof. Dr. Ching-Sheng Hsu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

blockchain
distributed ledger
sustainable development
Sustainable Development Goals
information system
disruptive technologies

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

29 pages, 1283 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Addressing Challenges: Adopting Blockchain Technology in the Pharmaceutical Industry for Enhanced Sustainability

by Tino Riedel

Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3102; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083102 - 9 Apr 2024

Viewed by 648

Abstract

The growing importance of sustainability in organizational success, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, underscores the need for leveraging technologies such as blockchain methods to enhance sustainability indicators across environmental, social, and economic pillars. This study aims to identify and understand the challenges hindering the adoption of blockchain technology in the pharmaceutical sector for improving sustainability performance, addressing two research topics: the specific challenges faced by blockchain adoption in this context and the interdependencies among these challenges. Employing a two-step approach, the study compiles challenges through a literature review, refines them via expert opinions, and establishes their interrelationships using methodologies like fuzzy interpretive structural modeling (FISM) and cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC). The research contributes to unraveling the complex relationships and dependencies within the system, providing a structured framework for improved decision making and strategic planning. It fills a literature gap as the first attempt to outline driving and dependent factors related to the challenges of adopting blockchain technology for sustainability enhancement in the pharmaceutical sector, offering insights that can significantly impact brand image, company perception, and consumer value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Opportunities and Challenges of Blockchain in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs))

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17 pages, 2221 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Blockchain-Empowered Decentralized Philanthropic Charity for Social Good

by Istiaque Ahmed, Kai Fumimoto, Tadashi Nakano and Thi Hong Tran

Sustainability 2024, 16(1), 210; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010210 - 26 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1285

Abstract

The charity sector impacts society significantly in many areas, including providing education, healthcare, hunger relief, drinking water, disaster relief, environmental preservation, and assistance to underserved people. The existing charity organizations have numerous limitations, such as poor management, high operation costs, and a lack of transparency in the donation execution flow. The authentication of users and institutions is a big problem in the existing system. This research resolves the issues of transparency and reliability with an immutable and traceable distributed ledger. We empower the existing centralized charity works with the electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) authentication approach and cryptographic HASH. Information privacy is implemented using the filters within smart contracts. The implementation of eKYC to ensure authenticity and to secure data flow through the channel are two significant contributions of this work. A coin-toss function for data selection and a random time delay between pieces of data are used to avoid attacks based on guesswork. We aim for this framework to send 100% of donations to the beneficiaries and become a hyper-liquid medium to fill the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) funding gap. We also introduce the concept of service charity to broaden the ability for people to offer their services and skills as charity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Opportunities and Challenges of Blockchain in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs))

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22 pages, 6046 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Blockchain-Powered Incentive System for JIT Arrival Operations and Decarbonization in Maritime Shipping

by Son Nguyen, Aengus Leman, Zhe Xiao, Xiuju Fu, Xiaocai Zhang, Xiaoyang Wei, Wanbing Zhang, Ning Li, Wei Zhang and Zheng Qin

Sustainability 2023, 15(22), 15686; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152215686 - 7 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1039

Abstract

Efficiency and sustainability are undisputedly the most critical objectives for modern ports. Current exercises for port services still lack performance profiling for arriving vessels regarding their arrival punctuality and compliance with port resource schedule for Just-in-time (JIT) service, as well as their efforts contributing towards less emission through reduced turnaround time within port. As a result, a performance-based incentive is missing. Bringing in the incentive component may facilitate the objectives of achieving both port efficiency and sustainability. Blockchain technology, owning to its intrinsic features like immutability, traceability, governance and provenance, and in-built tokens (for most public chain platforms), allow for the establishment of system solutions to record key performance indicators (KPIs) and distribute incentives to good performers. This paper is the first to propose a blockchain-based system to incentivize JIT and green operations in ports. The platform system design and operating mechanisms are elaborated in detail, and a prototype system has been implemented based on the Solana blockchain to demonstrate the core features. The current system’s potential is substantial, considering the industry’s increasing awareness about its environmental footprint. Continuous developments can be facilitated by connecting to market-based measures such as carbon pricing and emission trading in the maritime sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Opportunities and Challenges of Blockchain in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs))

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23 pages, 421 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Blockchain in the Energy Sector for SDG Achievement

by Matteo Vaccargiu, Andrea Pinna, Roberto Tonelli and Luisanna Cocco

Sustainability 2023, 15(20), 14843; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014843 - 13 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1495

Abstract

Blockchain technology finds application in multiple sectors, including renewable energy. Numerous blockchain-based applications aim to provide support in the production, management, distribution, and consumption of green energy. The benefits offered are not only technological but also social, environmental, and economic. The purpose of this study is to examine how the application of blockchain in the energy industry may affect the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study is composed of two parts. The first part concerns the identification and analysis of the most relevant categories of blockchain applications in the energy sector and their ability to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. A knowledge base, comprising scientific articles, gray literature, and real-world applications, has been created and analyzed. With a keyword-based approach, each application was associated with one or more SDGs. In the second part, the Sustainability Awareness Framework (SuSAF) was used to examine the findings of the first part of the study and discuss them in terms of five dimensions of sustainability. Finally, potential risks associated with the use of blockchain in the energy sector are also covered. Results reveal that tracking energy production and consumption and renewable energy communities are the applications that have the most beneficial effects, and that the benefits linked to blockchain adoption go beyond the energy sector to include the environment, the economy, industry, infrastructure, smart cities, and society. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Opportunities and Challenges of Blockchain in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs))

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25 pages, 2242 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring Blockchain Implementation Challenges for Sustainable Supply Chains: An Integrated Fuzzy TOPSIS–ISM Approach

by Md Al Amin, Dewan Hafiz Nabil, Roberto Baldacci and Md. Habibur Rahman

Sustainability 2023, 15(18), 13891; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813891 - 19 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2340

Abstract

This study investigates the challenges in implementing blockchain technology (BT) in sustainable supply chain management (SSC). The study thoroughly analyzes the literature and expert opinions on BT, SCM, and sustainability. A total of 24 barriers are identified, categorized into the Internet of Things, strategic, supply chain, legislation, and external factors. The findings are evaluated using the Integrated Fuzzy TOPSIS–ISM tool. The results indicate that barriers related to the supply chain have the most significant impact on the adoption of BT in SSC. The study also reveals the interrelation among sub-barriers within the supply chain, providing valuable insights to improve adoption. Finally, a strategic action plan based on a fishbone diagram is provided to reduce the effects of supply chain barriers. This study provides a theoretical foundation for using BT to achieve long-term supply chain goals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Opportunities and Challenges of Blockchain in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs))

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27 pages, 1898 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Revealing the Barriers of Blockchain Technology for Supply Chain Transparency and Sustainability in the Construction Industry: An Application of Pythagorean FAHP Methods

by Atul Kumar Singh, V. R. Prasath Kumar, Muhammad Irfan, Saeed Reza Mohandes and Usama Awan

Sustainability 2023, 15(13), 10681; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310681 - 6 Jul 2023

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4069

Abstract

Blockchain technology has emerged as a promising solution to enhance supply chain transparency and sustainability in the construction industry. However, the widespread adoption of blockchain faces several barriers that need to be identified and understood. The construction industry faces significant challenges regarding supply chain transparency and sustainability. Current practices lack visibility, leading to difficulties in tracing material origins, tracking movement, and ensuring compliance. To fill this gap, this study employed a three-phase approach. In the first phase, a comprehensive literature review identified 37 potential barriers. Subsequently, expert discussions were held to refine the list, ultimately selecting 15 barriers of utmost importance. In the second phase, data were collected from 17 experts representing academia and industry. Finally, in the last phase, the collected data were analyzed using the Pythagorean fuzzy analytical hierarchical process (AHP) methodology. The findings revealed that the “transparency range” category was the most critical barrier, closely followed by “inadequate access to institutional finance”. Surprisingly, the study identified the “security environment” as the most significant barrier. These results offer construction companies, policymakers, and other industry stakeholders a comprehensive understanding of blockchain adoption’s challenges. With this knowledge, stakeholders can design effective strategies and policies to address these barriers. Moreover, the research highlights the importance of considering uncertainty in decision making when assessing technology adoption, making the findings applicable beyond the construction industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Opportunities and Challenges of Blockchain in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs))

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