Digital Technology to Support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Literature Review
Abstract
Digital technology is a critical enabler in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by enhancing efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity across sectors such as education, health, economy, and the environment. This study employs a Narrative Literature Review (NLR) approach to explore the role of technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain in advancing SDG targets. The research identifies opportunities for these technologies to improve service delivery, foster innovation, and mitigate challenges like unequal access, cybersecurity risks, and ethical concerns. The literature search covered journal articles, books, and reports from academic databases, focusing on keywords related to digital technologies and the SDGs. An analysis framework was applied to synthesize findings across diverse sectors. Results indicate that AI and IoT drive efficiency in education and healthcare, while blockchain enhances financial inclusivity and sustainable urban planning. However, disparities in digital access and ethical issues, such as data privacy, remain substantial obstacles. This review provides actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders to leverage digital tools effectively for inclusive and sustainable development. Emphasizing multisectoral collaboration, the study underscores the importance of ethical frameworks and inclusive digital infrastructure to maximize technological benefits. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of digital technology’s integrative impact on sustainable development, offering strategic recommendations for future research and implementation.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Abdulai, A.-R. (2022). A new green revolution (GR) or neoliberal entrenchment in agri-food systems? Exploring narratives around digital agriculture (DA), food systems, and development in sub-Sahara Africa. The Journal of Development Studies, 58(8), 1588–1604. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220388.2022.2032673
Ahmadzadeh, S., Ajmal, T., Ramanathan, R., & Duan, Y. (2023). A comprehensive review on food waste reduction based on IoT and big data technologies. Sustainability, 15(4), 3482. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043482
Al Duhayyim, M., Mohamed, H. G., Aljebreen, M., Nour, M. K., Mohamed, A., Abdelmageed, A. A., Yaseen, I., & Mohammed, G. P. (2022). Artificial ecosystem-based optimization with an improved deep learning model for IoT-assisted sustainable waste management. Sustainability, 14(18), 11704. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811704
Alhassan, M. D., & Adam, I. O. (2024). Digital inclusion and sustainable development goals. Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/jstpm-09-2023-0152
Alrusaini, O., & Beyari, H. (2022). The sustainable effect of artificial intelligence and parental control on children’s behavior while using smart devices’ apps: The case of Saudi Arabia. Sustainability, 14(15), 9388. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159388
Angin, M., Taşdemir, B., Yılmaz, C. A., Demiralp, G., Atay, M., Angin, P., & Dikmener, G. (2022). A RoBERTa approach for automated processing of sustainability reports. Sustainability, 14(23), 16139. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142316139
Anshari, M., Hamdan, M., Ahmad, N., & Ali, E. (2024). Public service delivery, artificial intelligence and the sustainable development goals: trends, evidence and complexities. Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/jstpm-07-2023-0123
Basmi, W., Boulmakoul, A., Karim, L., & Lbath, A. (2021). Distributed and scalable platform architecture for smart cities complex events data collection: Covid19 pandemic use case. Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing, 12(1), 75–83. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12652-020-02852-9
Bellone, C., Naselli, F., & Andreassi, F. (2021). New Governance path through digital platforms and the old urban planning process in Italy. Sustainability, 13(12), 6911. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126911
Bjelobaba, G., Savić, A., Tošić, T., Stefanović, I., & Kocić, B. (2023). Collaborative Learning supported by blockchain technology as a model for improving the educational process. Sustainability, 15(6), 4780. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15064780
Busskamp, A. (2022). Promotion of healthy living environments in communities: a digital planning tool for local public health actors. European Journal of Public Health, 32(Supplement_3). https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckac129.445
Canfell, O. J., Davidson, K., Woods, L., Sullivan, C., Cocoros, N. M., Klompas, M., Zambarano, B., Eakin, E., Littlewood, R., & Burton-Jones, A. (2022). Precision public health for non-communicable diseases: An emerging strategic roadmap and multinational use cases. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 854525. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.854525
Chalmeta Rosaleñ, R., & Guede Tejedor, M. (2022). Blockchain technology and Sustainable Development Goals. Dyna, 97(6), 594–598. https://doi.org/10.6036/10549
Choi, E., Choi, Y., & Park, N. (2022). Blockchain-centered educational program embodies and advances 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainability, 14(7), 3761. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14073761
Corsini, L., & Moultrie, J. (2022). Using systems thinking to investigate the sustainability of digital fabrication projects in the humanitarian and development sector. International Journal of Business and Systems Research, 1(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijbsr.2022.10035578
Escrivá-Martínez, T., Vara, M. D., Czeraniuk, N., Denis, M., Núñez-Benjumea, F. J., Fernández-Luque, L., Jiménez-Díaz, A., Traver, V., Llull, J. J., Martínez-Millana, A., Garcés-Ferrer, J., Miragall, M., Herrero, R., Enríquez, A., Schaefer, V., Cervera-Torres, S., Villasanti, C., Cabral, C. V, Fernández, I., & Baños, R. M. (2022). mHealth intervention to improve quality of life in patients with chronic diseases during the COVID-19 crisis in Paraguay: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. PloS One, 17(11), e0273290. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0273290
Flores-Vivar, J.-M., & García-Peñalvo, F.-J. (2023). Reflections on the ethics, potential, and challenges of artificial intelligence in the framework of quality education (SDG4). Comunicar, 31(74), 37–47. https://doi.org/10.3916/c74-2023-03
Font Vivanco, D., & Makov, T. (2020). The role of technology and rebound effects in the success of the sustainable development goals framework. In Science, Technology, and Innovation for Sustainable Development Goals (pp. 192–216). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190949501.
Gao, K., Chen, H., Tian, S., Sun, R., Cui, K., & Zhang, Y. (2023). A nexus between green digital finance and green innovation under asymmetric effects on renewable energy markets: a study on Chinese green cities. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 30(16), 46632–46646. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-24750-7
Günther, A., Gütschow, J., & Jeffery, M. L. (2021). NDCmitiQ v1.0.0: a tool to quantify and analyse greenhouse gas mitigation targets. Geoscientific Model Development, 14(9), 5695–5730. https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-5695-2021
Gupta, S., & Rhyner, J. (2022). Mindful application of digitalization for sustainable development: The Digitainability Assessment Framework. Sustainability, 14(5), 3114. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14053114
Haider, S. M. A., Ratlamwala, T. A. H., Kamal, K., Alqahtani, F., Alkahtani, M., Mohammad, E., & Alatefi, M. (2023). Energy and exergy analysis of a geothermal sourced multigeneration system for sustainable city. Energies, 16(4), 1616. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16041616
Handmann, E., Camanor, S. W., Fallah, M. P., Candy, N., Parker, D., Gries, A., & Grünewald, T. (2023). Feasibility of digital contact tracing in low-income settings - pilot trial for a location-based DCT app. BMC Public Health, 23(1), 146. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14888-x
Hikmah, B., Muaz, R. A., & Rachman, I. F. (2024). Program Gerakan Nasional Literasi Digital (GNLD): Upaya Pemerintah Indonesia Dalam Mewujudkan Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030. Jurnal Nakula : Pusat Ilmu Pendidikan, Bahasa Dan Ilmu Sosial, 2(3), 253–265. https://doi.org/10.61132/nakula.v2i3.825
Ige, A. B., Kupa, E., & Ilori, O. (2024). Aligning sustainable development goals with cybersecurity strategies: Ensuring a secure and sustainable future. GSC Advanced Research and Reviews, 19(3), 344–360. https://doi.org/10.30574/gscarr.2024.19.3.0236
Judeh, T., Shahrour, I., & Comair, F. (2022). Smart rainwater harvesting for sustainable potable water supply in arid and semi-arid areas. Sustainability, 14(15), 9271. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159271
Kirk, K., McClair, T. L., Dakouo, S. P., Abuya, T., & Sripad, P. (2021). Introduction of digital reporting platform to integrate community-level data into health information systems is feasible and acceptable among various community health stakeholders: A mixed-methods pilot study in Mopti, Mali. Journal of Global Health, 11(07003), 07003. https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.11.07003
Kloppenburg, S., Gupta, A., Kruk, S. R. L., Makris, S., Bergsvik, R., Korenhof, P., Solman, H., & Toonen, H. M. (2022). Scrutinizing environmental governance in a digital age: New ways of seeing, participating, and intervening. One Earth (Cambridge, Mass.), 5(3), 232–241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2022.
Kluczek, A., Gladysz, B., Buczacki, A., Krystosiak, K., Ejsmont, K., & Palmer, E. (2022). Aligning sustainable development goals with Industry 4.0 for the design of business model for printing and packaging companies. Packaging Technology and Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/pts.2713
Lal, A., & Umer, F. (2024). Navigating challenges and opportunities: AI’s contribution to Pakistan’s sustainable development goals agenda - a narrative review. JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 74(4 (Supple-4)), S49–S56. https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.AKU-9S-08
Lemsieh, H., Boumour, R., Mahouat, N., Hadri, K., Abarar, I., & Benlekouiri, A. (2024). Social entrepreneurship and sustainable development: The creation of a digital platform dedicated to resource sharing: Moroccan case study. Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental, 18(10), e09109. https://doi.org/10.24857/rgsa.v18n10-139
Li, J., Zhan, G., Dai, X., Qi, M., & Liu, B. (2022). Innovation and optimization logic of grassroots digital governance in China under digital empowerment and digital sustainability. Sustainability, 14(24), 16470. https://doi.org/10.3390/su1424
Liddle, J. (2023). Considering inclusion in digital technology: An occupational therapy role and responsibility. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 70(2), 157–158. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12867
Maehara, Y., Kuku, A., & Osabe, Y. (2021). “visualization” of SDGs-related patent technologies by natural language processing technology. Business and Management Studies, 7(3), 53. https://doi.org/10.11114/bms.v7i3.5315
Maltsev, A., Department of Economic History and History of Economic Thought Lomonosov Moscow State University, F. of E., Maltseva, V., Institute of Economics Ural branch, R. A. of S., & Centre for Skills Development and Vocational Education National Research University Higher School of Economics, I. of E. (2020). Digitalization of the economy in the context of the implementation of the sustainable development goals: An overview of key expert reports in 2019. International Organisations Research Journal, 15(4), 189–195. https://doi.org/10.17323/1996-7845-2020-04-09
Mêda, P., Calvetti, D., & Sousa, H. (2023). Exploring the potential of iPad-LiDAR technology for building renovation diagnosis: A case study. Buildings, 13(2), 456. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13020456
Muschert, G., & Ragnedda, M. (2021). Introduction to the special issue on sustainability and digital transformation. First Monday. https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v26i11.12351
Obasi, S. C., Solomon, N. O., Adenekan, O. A., & Simpa, P. (2024). Cybersecurity’s role in Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development: Bridging technology and sustainability goals. Computer Science & IT Research Journal, 5(5), 1145–1177. https://doi.org/10.51594/csitrj.v5i5.1140
Obioha, C. L., & van Zyl, I. (2022). Gameful design for skills development for youths in urban marginalised communities. Interaction Design & Architecture(s), 53, 27–50. https://doi.org/10.55612/s-5002-053-002
Olfe-Kräutlein, B. (2020). Advancing CCU technologies pursuant to the SDGs: A challenge for policy making. Frontiers in Energy Research, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2020.00198
Pablo, Z., & London, K. (2022). Sustainability through resilient collaborative housing networks: A case study of an Australian pop-up shelter. Sustainability, 14(3), 1271. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031271
Pastor-Escuredo, D., Treleaven, P., & Vinuesa, R. (2022). An ethical framework for artificial intelligence and sustainable cities. AI (Basel, Switzerland), 3(4), 961–974. https://doi.org/10.3390/ai3040057
Phang, S., March, A., Touron-Gardic, G., Deane, K., & Failler, P. (2023). A review of the blue economy, potential, and opportunities in seven Caribbean nations pre-COVID-19. ICES Journal of Marine Science: Journal Du Conseil. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsac230
Philbin, S., Viswanathan, R., & Telukdarie, A. (2022). Understanding how digital transformation can enable SMEs to achieve sustainable development: A systematic literature review. Small Business International Review, 6(1), e473. https://doi.org/10.26784/sbir.v6i1.473
Raihan, A. (2024). A review of the digitalization of the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) toward sustainability. Global Sustainability Research, 3(2), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.56556/gssr.v3i2.695
Ravishankar, M. N. (2021). Social innovations and the fight against poverty: An analysis of India’s first prosocial P2P lending platform. Information Systems Journal, 31(5), 745–766. https://doi.org/10.1111/isj.12340
Rosário, A., & Dias, J. (2022). Sustainability and the digital transition: A literature review. Sustainability, 14(7), 4072. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14074072
Rosário, A. T., & Dias, J. C. (2023). The New Digital Economy and Sustainability: Challenges and Opportunities. Sustainability, 15(14), 10902. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151410902
Senja Shafira, V., Ramadhani, G., & Rachman, I. F. (2024). How digital literacy can drive inclusive progress towards the 2030 SDGs. Advances in Economics & Financial Studies, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.60079/aefs.v2i2.260
Shi, Y., & Li, Y. (2022). An evolutionary game analysis on green technological innovation of new energy enterprises under the heterogeneous environmental regulation perspective. Sustainability, 14(10), 6340. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106340
Şimşek, K. (2024). Contribution of the telecommunications industry to Sustainable Development Goals within the framework of SASB General Issue Categories: The case of a telecommunications company. İnsan ve Toplum Bilimleri Araştırmaları Dergisi, 13(3), 1633–1657. https://doi.org/10.15869/itobiad.1503584
Singh, S., Singh, U. S., & Nermend, M. (2022). Sustainability in a digitized era analyzing the moderation effect of social strata and digital capital dependence on digital divide. Sustainability, 14(21), 14508. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114508
Soam, S. K., Rao, S., Bs, Y., Balasani, R., Rakesh, Marwaha, S., Kumar, P., & Agrawal, R. C. (2023). AHP Analyser: A decision-making tool for prioritizing climate change mitigation options and forest management. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.1099996
Strilchuk, Y., Krasnova, I., Khodakevich, S., Metsger, I., Stryzhak, A., & Dubas, A. (2024). Sustainable development determinants in the context of digital transformation. Financial and Credit Activity Problems of Theory and Practice, 3(56), 293–307. https://doi.org/10.55643/fcaptp.3.56.2024.4367
Syifa, S. N., Az-Zahra, A. M., & Rachman, I. F. (2024). Analisis Infrastruktur Teknologi, Pelatihan Pengajar dan Tantangan dalam Implementasi Model Pembelajaran Literasi Digital untuk Mendukung SDGs 2030. Jurnal Sadewa : Publikasi Ilmu Pendidikan, Pembelajaran Dan Ilmu Sosial, 2(2), 212–224. https://doi.org/10.61132/sadewa.v2i2.817
Tripathi, S., & Rajeev, M. (2023). Gender-inclusive development through fintech: Studying gender-based digital financial inclusion in a cross-country setting. Sustainability, 15(13), 10253. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310253
Varriale, V., Camilleri, M. A., Cammarano, A., Michelino, F., Müller, J., & Strazzullo, S. (2024). Unleashing digital transformation to achieve the sustainable development goals across multiple sectors. Sustainable Development. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.3139
Vărzaru, A. A. (2024). Unveiling digital transformation: A catalyst for enhancing food security and achieving Sustainable Development Goals at the European Union Level. Foods (Basel, Switzerland), 13(8). https://doi.org/10.3390
Voronkova, V., Andriukaitiene, R., Oleksenko, R., & Nikitenko, V. (2023). Digital society transformation as a sustainable development goal: Global problems and challenges of the present. Newsletter on the Results of Scholarly Work in Sociology, Criminology, Philosophy and Political Science, 4(1), 36–55. https://doi.org/10.61439/ddbg2914
Wannheden, C., Åberg-Wennerholm, M., Dahlberg, M., Revenäs, Å., Tolf, S., Eftimovska, E., & Brommels, M. (2022). Digital health technologies enabling partnerships in chronic care management: Scoping review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(8), e38980. https://doi.org/10.2196/38980
Xia, M., Xie, Z., Lin, H., & He, X. (2022). Synergistic mechanism of the high-quality development of the urban digital economy from blockchain adoption perspective—A configuration approach. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research, 17(2), 704–721. https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer17020037
Zhao, Q., Li, X., & Li, S. (2023). Analyzing the relationship between digital transformation strategy and ESG performance in large manufacturing enterprises: The mediating role of green innovation. Sustainability, 15(13), 9998. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15139998
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33394/j-lkf.v12i2.13557
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Lensa: Jurnal Kependidikan Fisika is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.