Sustainable metaverse ecosystems: from ESG compliance to multilayer network scalability

Abstract This study examines the emerging sustainability of metaverse ecosystems, which combine multiple virtual and augmented reality spaces where users interact. ESG criteria, which align with the Sustainable Development Goals and promote economic and financial sustainability, represent best practice standards for screening and backing viable projects. The research focus begins with the historical ESG scoring of metaverse-prone BigTechs, demonstrating that they are more sustainable than traditional firms, as evidenced by the increase in the probability of payment between traditional clients and suppliers. Multilayer networks are then introduced, incorporating the scalability features of new nodes (avatars) and links that make the metaverse economically sustainable. The strongest ESG issues concern the social and governance component: access to the metaverse is hardened by authoritarian regimes, or ludopathies may be exacerbated by 3D dependence, detaching addicted surfers from the real world. Our findings show that integrating multilayer network theory with ESG metrics not only promotes economic sustainability but also supports governance innovations that drive digital inclusivity. By integrating ESG metrics with multilayer network theory, this research enhances economic sustainability and reveals governance innovations that foster digital inclusivity, strengthening the metaverse's long-term viability.