Emerging Technologies in Sustainable Finance: AI and DLT as Enablers of the Green Economy

Abstract This study aims to explore the role of emerging technologies in facilitating the global adoption of the sustainable finance agenda. It linked the carbon emission levels of several sectors and countries with technology-enabled sustainability practices to identify the individual contributions of technologies in the financing aspects. Despite challenges, an organisation’s new performance benchmarks compel it to adapt technologies to several sectors, as technologies are seen as enablers of sustainability. A holistic study of the cautious applications of technologies is needed to assess their potential adverse effects and reap their benefits. Therefore, the study explores literature covering scholars’ and practitioners’ opinions and application experiences. Quantitative data on adaptation, emissions, and green product applications have been collected, tabulated, and analyzed to compare practices across sectors and countries. Findings indicate that technology applications are efficient enablers of sustainability. Also, there were differences in the utilization of green tech products, such as green bonds and climate tech, between sectors and countries. European countries have led the adaptation, while Asia has yet to adjust to the mismatch between emissions and green practices. A lack of a legal framework, standard reporting and measurement principles, and data security were leading causes of concern. The study will assist in careful future adaptation and policy formulation.