Achieving the UN Sustainability Goals: The Role of Digital Product Passports in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction Industry

Abstract

The Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry’s extensive resource consumption, solid waste and carbon dioxide emission generation hinder the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Digital product passports (DPPs) have been proposed to enhance the industry’s circularity and sustainability performance, thereby enabling the achievement of SDGs. However, among the few DPP studies, none of them specifically focuses on identifying which United Nations (UN) SDGs can be achieved by adopting DPPs in the AEC industry. This paper presents a systematic literature review exploring the role of DPPs in achieving the UN SDGs. Synthesis of the reviewed papers that meet the inclusion criteria uncovered that adoption of DPPs in the AEC industry enables the achievement of SDG 3, SDG 7, SDG 8, SDG 9, SDG 11, SDG 12, SDG 13, SDG 15 and SDG 17. Additionally, the findings highlight the key features of DPP. This research provides a foundation for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to advance the global agenda for sustainable development within the AEC industry.