
Recently, I had the opportunity to present at European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, where I kicked things off with a Time Machine analogy: "Have you ever wished you could reverse a decision?". This idea of looking back, re-evaluating, and shaping decisions in retrospect captures the imagination. And in this write up, I want to dive deeper into some of the ideas I discussed there.
In this note, I’ll look at IT components that's similar to a time machine for decision making, particularly in terms of sustainability. I'm referring to virtual reproductions of real-world objects, industries, cities, and even entire energy infrastructures, all mirrored in digital space. I have a stack of researches and articles that make me believe this could be much more than just a tech trend. We're now like everyone who was worried about the possibilities of the internet back then, but this time it's for the planet. It's that sense of possibilities.
Digital technologies are starting to become a strong alliance in the battle of reducing emissions and support sustainable practices as the whole world struggles with the growing impact of climate change. The World Economic Forum estimates that by 2030 digital solutions might reduce world emissions by up to 20%, or over 8 gigatons of CO₂ equivalent. Using technology components like IoT, Cloud, and AI, companies may maximize energy use, simplify processes, and reduce waste, thereby helping to meet sustainability targets.

Connecting Digital Transformation with Sustainability: The “Twin Transition”
A novel concept termed the "twin transition" is gaining traction as companies work towards digital transformation. This strategy helps companies to adopt not only effective but also environmentally conscious policies by combining digital projects with sustainability initiatives. The World Economic Forum offers direction for businesses to harmonize their digital and environmental plans, therefore acting as a roadmap for expediting the “twin transition”.

The Digital Transition in above figure is mostly about the broad incorporation of innovative technologies into every aspect of our daily life. It promises a time when innovation will fuel economic progress, improve quality of living, close gaps in healthcare, education, and beyond. While the Sustainability Transition refers to a collective's effort to shift towards sustainability. This is an ambitious attempt to decarbonize our economy, support renewable energy, and protect the biodiversity of our world for the next generations.
I have enough observations to be confident that digital twins have started to become an essential tool in our drive for sustainability as data and technology have untapped potential to advance sustainability goals. Corporates can accelerate sustainability goals by "greening" their technology, data assets, and infrastructure as the green and digital transformations support each other. This is what I call Greening by Green IT. I want to emphasize that it is critical to recognize the interdependence of digitalization and sustainability while also encouraging a comprehensive approach to advancement.
Sustainability Use Cases: The Game-Changing Impact of Digital Twins
Emerging as a transforming tool on the path towards sustainability is digital twins, a digital copy of a physical asset or processes. Virtual models let companies track activities in real time, run simulations, and employ data-driven decisions to maximize energy use and lower emissions. Digital twins are enabling companies in manufacturing, for example, to lower resource use and waste, therefore promoting SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 12 (Responsible use and Production).
So it is not enough to have a digital blueprint; it is also necessary to perform simulation test scenarios on it. What if scenarios, such as installing solar panels, allow them to see the impact of energy use, waste, and pollution before spending any money in the real world.
As I mentioned this is capturing the imagination! Picture this as a digital twin of a full city; you may examine traffic, clear congestion, reduce pollution, and observe how green areas improve the air condition. Here is where SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities) helps to improve cities for living.
Leaders in industry are already using Digital Twins to accomplish sustainable results, as shown by the World Economic Forum and the Global Lighthouse Network. Digital twins help companies to greatly lower their environmental impact while nevertheless improving productivity by enabling real-time analysis and optimization.
Dealing with Digital Twin Adoption: Obstacles and Possible Cure
Digital twins has transforming power, but it also has challenges that can prevent general acceptance including expensive implementation costs, data protection issues, and a lack of experts and knowledge. The World Economic Forum emphasizes the need of removing these challenges to fully realize the value of Digital Twins for sustainability. Among all challenges below are more visible to me by the time of writing this note:
- Research, infrastructure, and technology use—including sensors, networks, and artificial intelligence—which are vital for digital twins—show vary depending on high- and low-income countries.
- In digital twin simulations, complex products and systems can complicate the process of spotting inefficiencies and key causes.
- Maintaining digital twins for big systems or intricate processes can be quite difficult and demanding.
- Digital twins calls for large technological, infrastructure, and knowledge investments as well as maintenance.
- One could say that Digital twin solutions must solve issues big enough to support the high expenses and guarantee a clear return on investment.
- any times, the lack of real-time or high-quality data keeps digital twins from offering a correct "live" virtual counterpart.
- One could say that Since a digital twins depends on significant high-quality data, incomplete or faulty data can compromise their usefulness.
- Digital twins centralized data processing increases data security risk and privacy concerns.
- Many sectors are slow to adapt and find it challenging to go from old systems to digital twin technologies.
Overcoming these challenges calls a disciplined approach. While defined data governance standards are essential for guaranteeing data privacy and interoperability, investments in skill development can assist close skills gaps.
Collaborative efforts across industries can drive innovation, lower costs, and address regulatory and technical challenges, making Digital Twins more accessible to businesses of all sizes.
How Digital Twins Will Shape Sustainable Development in the Future
Looking ahead, especially as developments in AI and IoT improve their capacity, Digital Twins is poised to become ever more important in helping to promote sustainability goals. Digital Twins can enable companies to make more informed and timely decisions about environmental effect of their actions, therefore hastening the advancement towards sustainability.
Digital twins uses across many fields will grow as they develop, helping companies run more sustainably and effectively. By means of ongoing investment and a dedication to sustainable practices, businesses may use Digital Twins not just as a tool for operational excellence but also as pillar of their sustainability approach.
To Wrap Up...
Digital Twins is becoming increasingly important as virtual "time machines" that let businesses assess and maximize their operations with an eye towards lowering environmental impact, therefore supporting sustainable growth. Companies can combine digital innovation with sustainability initiatives, therefore enabling the path for greener technology, methods, and infrastructure. Strategic investments in skills, teamwork, and data governance can help break through obstacles including high implementation costs, data quality issues, and security concerns even if these remain. As AI, IoT, and data analytics improve the capabilities of digital twins, they have the potential not only to drive operational efficiency but also to become a central component of corporate sustainability strategies, so supporting worldwide attempts to address climate change and meet Sustainable Development Goals.
My appreciation for Najaa's assistance on this note.
..and for reference
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2022/05/how-digital-solutions-can-reduce-global-emissions/
https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/4011590
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2022/10/twin-transition-playbook-3-phases-to-accelerate-sustainable-digitization/
https://www2.paconsulting.com/rs/526-HZE-833/images/PA-Consulting-Twin-Transition-teaser-booklet.pdf
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2023/05/digital-twins-manufacturing-sustainability/
https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_The_Global_Lighthouse_Network_Playbook_for_Responsible_Industry_Transformation_2022.pdf
Cheers,
Mohammad Malekmakan
Disclaimer:
All opinions and content published in my blog and my social networks are solely my own, not those of my employer(s) and the communities I am contributing in.