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Title: Exploring sustainability in emerging technologies: a reference framework utilising multicase studies

Authors: Elisabeth Viles; Javier Santos; Ana López; Oscar Revilla; Francisco-Javier Rios-Davila

Addresses: TECNUN School of Engineering, Universidad de Navarra, San Sebastián, Spain ' TECNUN School of Engineering, Universidad de Navarra, San Sebastián, Spain ' TECNALIA, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaiko Teknologia Parkea, Spain ' TEKNIKER, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parke Teknologikoa Eibar (Guipuzkoa), Spain ' GAIKER Technology Center, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Tecnológico Edf. 202, Zamudio, Spain

Abstract: Recent technological advancements are positioned as a remedy to contemporary challenges in sustainable development. However, existing methods for evaluating the sustainability impact of these technologies are insufficient, lacking comprehensive coverage of a technology's entire lifespan and proving less effective in initial developmental phases. This paper presents three case studies evaluating the sustainability of technological R&D projects in the metal sector, contributing to the advancement of sustainable technological propositions. As a result of the analysis, the paper proposes a robust framework for assessing emerging sustainable technologies. The relevant novelty of this framework is that it can be easily applied to assess technological projects from their conception, including the sustainable assessment of the development itself.

Keywords: emerging technologies; technology assessment; sustainable technology; case studies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2025.146352

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2025 Vol.28 No.7, pp.1 - 23

Received: 10 May 2024
Accepted: 24 Feb 2025
Published online: 23 May 2025 *