Metaverse: An Analysis From the Perspective of Sustainability

ABSTRACT The increasing adoption of virtual environments and environmental concerns, such as energy consumption and carbon emissions, motivated the analysis of how the metaverse can contribute to sustainability. The objective of the study is to analyze the potential of the metaverse in promoting clean and sustainable technologies, analyzing how digital technologies can be effective in developing sustainable practices. The study is based on a systematic literature review, focusing on two main themes: metaverse and sustainability, which resulted in a final sample of 47 relevant articles. A significant increase in publications on the topic was observed from 2022 onwards, reflecting the growing interest and importance of the metaverse in sustainability. There is a focus of studies on social areas aimed at the consequences caused by the use of the metaverse on social behavior, as well as on the management of uncertainty regarding the adoption of technologies. The study concludes that the metaverse has significant potential to promote sustainable practices in several areas. However, there is an urgent need for public policies and additional studies to ensure the safety, ethics, and sustainability of the use of these technologies. The research suggests that future studies should focus on Hofstede's cultural dimensions to better understand the social implications of the metaverse and its integration with sustainable practices.