Enabling Digital Twins to Support the UN SDGs

Abstract

Digitalisation has enjoyed rapid acceleration during the COVID-19 pandemic on top of the already fast-paced expansion impacting almost every aspect of daily life. Digital twin technology, which is considered a building block of Metaverse and an important pillar of Industrial revolution 4.0, has also received growing interest. Apart from its significant contribution to intelligent manufacturing, there has been considerable discussion on its implementation and the as yet undiscovered potential. This paper reviews the current trajectory of digital twin applications in supporting general sustainability, in the context of the 17 UN SDGs. Furthermore, it connects researchers and readers from different fields with the aim of achieving a better understanding of emerging digital twin technologies, the current values this technology has brought to support UN SDGs, and identify areas with potential for future research to better contribute to achieving the remaining tasks of Agenda 2030.