Sustainable Earth Reviews (Feb 2024)
Industry 5.0 and SDG 9: a symbiotic dance towards sustainable transformation
Abstract
Abstract The convergence of Industry 5.0 (I5.0) and Sustainable Development Goal 9 (SDG 9) signifies a transformative shift in global industries, propelled by a new triple bottom line approach– human-centric, sustainable, and resilient. Departing from traditional models, I5.0, an evolution from Industry 4.0, strategically aligns with SDG 9 to reshape industrial landscapes and promote global sustainable, resilient, and inclusive development. I5.0’s emphasis on resource optimization and collaboration between humans and machines marks a departure from technologically driven manufacturing (I4.0), ushering in a sustainable production model. Cutting-edge technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and automation, optimize resource utilization, enhancing operational efficiency to support sustainability goals. Yet, challenges like initial implementation costs and a lack of global sustainability standards pose obstacles. The human-centric integration within I5.0 prioritizes human needs throughout the manufacturing process. Collaborations with Cobots and AI-ML technologies optimize workflows, contribute to customization, and align with SDG 9’s vision, necessitating robust training programs and strategic considerations for workforce adaptation and financial investments. Exploring I5.0 resilience within SDG 9 unveils its pivotal role during crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussions navigate challenges related to supply chain disruptions, economic impacts, and geopolitical factors, emphasizing the need for strategic resilience, sustainability, and human-centric approaches. I5.0 resilience, guided by Cobots, aligns with SDG 9’s focus on resilient infrastructure. Sustainable Business Model Innovation (SBMI) emerges as a central point of contention in the I5.0 and SDG 9 interplay. Advocates tout its transformative potential for sustainability goals, while skeptics question scalability and adaptability, reflecting the complexity of factors in achieving sustainable and resilient industrial development. Therefore, the strategic imperative of I5.0 and SDG 9 unfolds as a transformative force for positive change, embedded in SBMI. This collaborative journey transcends the confines of a production system, ushering in a future where technology management, supported by SBMI, proactively reinforces resilience, societal well-being, and environmental stewardship. The future of I5.0 raises questions about innovative ecosystems, collaboration practices, geopolitical impacts, circular production models, and extending I5.0 beyond current geographical limits.
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