<p>The study looks at how green technology, digital transformation and energy efficiency in G20 countries influence carbon emissions and waste management, using data from 2004 to 2024. Researchers look into how environmental R&amp;D spends acts as a moderator and if potential of social media campaigns as regulator works between them. By applying the Cross-Sectional Augmented Autoregressive Distributed Lag (CS-ARDL) model, the study explores how the relationships change in both the short and long run. The evidence makes it clear that using green technology lessens carbon emissions, but making digital processes more efficient also reduces emissions but does not prevent much waste from forming. Energy efficiency makes waste management easier, despite leading to mild carbon emissions because of rebound effects. Higher investment in research and development of environmental technologies helps push the positive influence of green and digital solutions. Through successful campaigns on social media, green innovations have a stronger and better influence on sustainability. Green and digital technologies, continuous research and development efforts, and public understanding are necessary to achieve sustainable development in the long term. The findings recommend that G20 countries adopt more effective strategies to utilize technology and enhance social systems, thereby reducing emissions and effectively managing waste.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>