Technology, Sustainability, And Carbon Reduction: A Structured Review Of Digital Infrastructure, Industrial Robotics, And Additive–Subtractive Manufacturing
Anika Todi
29/09/2026
Digital infrastructure, industrial robotics and additive–subtractive manufacturing are often treated separately, and rapid technology progress is changing the outlook for industrial decarbonization. This structured review combines these nine focal studies with 21 supporting studies to synthesize evidence for the carbon emission reduction potential of each of these three technology domains, the contextual variables that influence impact, and the key research gaps. All three domains of evidence point to three common decarbonisation pathways – better energy efficiency, green technological innovation and more efficient resource and factor allocation. Digital infrastructure is based on real-time monitoring and spatial spillovers between cities; industrial robotics on increased productivity, cleaner energy use and upgrading of global value chains; and additive–subtractive manufacturing on material efficiency and reduced machining with integrated systems reported to reduce the carbon footprint by as much as 80% compared to conventional milling. The size of these impacts is always qualified by a regional development and governance component and an energy-rebound effect that dampens but does not negate the impact. The key message of the review is that while all three technologies share a decarbonization logic, none of the reviewed studies addresses the combined deployment of the technologies – the deployment of integrated technology systems is the largest open question for future research.