Blockchain Trust Model: Enabling Sustainability Verification
摘要
The veracity of sustainability claims has become essential to avoiding sustainability being perceived as mere hypocrisy. From eco-friendly product labels to non-financial reporting, the authenticity of green claims is often scrutinised. The nefarious practices of greenwashing and fraud undermine the credibility of sustainability efforts. This article introduces a comprehensive model that leverages emerging technologies—particularly blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics—to transform the sustainability landscape by ensuring the verifiability and authenticity of sustainability claims. We propose a blockchain-based trust model that serves as a decentralised, transparent, and immutable system for recording and verifying sustainability efforts. This model utilises AI and data analytics to analyse sustainability data, thereby identifying greenwashing and enhancing the accuracy of sustainability reporting. By addressing the challenges of greenwashing and data integrity, the model aims to restore trust in sustainability claims and facilitate a genuine transition towards sustainable practices. The potential impact of our model is profound, offering a pathway to improved regulatory compliance, stakeholder engagement, and enhanced corporate accountability in sustainability efforts. Moreover, this article explores the importance of policy support and stakeholder collaboration to fortify sustainability’s foundation, suggesting that the integration of emerging technologies, regulatory frameworks, and industry standards are essential for achieving true sustainability.