INDUSTRY 4.0 AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS: SYNERGY BETWEEN INNOVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

Abstract

The article explores the complex relationship between the digital transformation processes underlying the emergence of Industry 4.0 and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on the industrial sector in Ukraine. It emphasizes that the integration of advanced digital technologies—artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, big data analytics, blockchain, cyber-physical systems, and smart manufacturing—can significantly improve resource efficiency, reduce environmental pressure, and enhance the socio-economic resilience and competitiveness of industrial enterprises. Special attention is paid to how digital solutions support the transition to renewable energy, energy-efficient production, and circular economy models that minimize waste and extend product life cycles.

Based on a synthesis of contemporary scientific approaches, international reports, and practical case studies from Ukrainian and European companies, the article identifies key directions for aligning innovation with sustainable development goals: the introduction of green production and environmentally oriented management systems, the digitalization of waste and energy management, and the formation of ESG-oriented business strategies. The paper highlights the role of digital ecosystems and industrial platforms in fostering collaboration between business, government, and research institutions, particularly in the context of post-war reconstruction and “smart recovery” of Ukraine’s economy.

The findings demonstrate that Industry 4.0 should be viewed not only as a technological paradigm, but also as a strategic framework for embedding sustainability into industrial development. The article concludes that combining Industry 4.0 tools with SDG and ESG principles creates a new economic logic in which digital transformation becomes a driver of ecological responsibility, social inclusiveness, and long-term industrial growth.