THEORETICAL ASPECTS OF RESEARCHING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROBLEMS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

Technological advances of the Fourth Industrial Revolution («4IR»), encompassing artificial intelligence, automation, digitalization, and the Internet of Things, require a fundamental reassessment of sustainable development paradigms; the rapid spread of digital technologies is transforming economic structures and redefining the interdependence between environmental, social, and industrial processes (restructuring sustainable development through unprecedented integration of technological solutions with environmental and economic imperatives). This study examines theoretical aspects of sustainable development in the context of «4IR,» critically evaluating the impact of digital transformation on economic sustainability, environmental stability, and social equality (with an emphasis on systemic issues arising from the expansion of the digital economy and the increased environmental burden imposed by high-tech industries). The study employs a synthesis of theoretical analysis and empirical evaluation, incorporating interdisciplinary perspectives — economic modeling, environmental impact assessment, and theories of social stratification — alongside the interpretation of statistical data (with the interaction between digital economy indicators and sustainability metrics analyzed through a comparative review of national and global trends). Digitalization significantly accelerates economic productivity — the volume of e-commerce operations grew by 60% from 2016 to 2022, reaching $27 trillion, while the share of the digital economy in global GDP increased from 15,5% (2020) to a projected 24,3% (2025)—but this expansion exacerbates environmental degradation: the ICT sector contributes between 0.69 and 1,6 gigatons of CO2 in 2020 (equivalent to 1,5–3,2% of global emissions); simultaneously, the volume of electronic waste increased by 30% from 2010 to 2022, exceeding 10,5 million tons (outpacing proper recycling and disposal rates, thereby intensifying environmental threats). Consequences: practical application of this research underscores the need for comprehensive policy development — national sustainable development systems must prioritize circular economy principles, strengthening industrial symbiosis through blockchain-based supply chain transparency and IoT-enabled emissions monitoring; corporate participants should transition to energy-efficient digital infrastructure, while governments must promote large-scale «green digitalization» strategies, balancing technological progress with environmental imperatives (examples include Germany’s «Industry 4.0» policy, renewable energy investments in the USA, and smart city initiatives in China). Sustainable development in the «4IR» era requires synergy between technological innovation and regulatory adaptation — economic digitalization must align with long-term environmental and social goals, ensuring that progress does not violate fundamental principles of intergenerational fairness.