Leveraging blockchain for environmental sustainability: A systematic review of applications, challenges, and opportunities within the UN SDGs framework
Hanna Buyssens, Stijn Viaene · Technological Forecasting and Social Change · 2026
Blockchain technology is often highlighted as a potential driver of sustainability; however, its concrete role in supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains unclear. This paper presents a systematic literature review (SLR) of 79 peer-reviewed studies that explore blockchain applications across six environmental SDGs (6, 7, 12, 13, 14, and 15). The review distinguishes between conceptual proposals, proof-of-concept (POC), pilot projects, and real-world implementations in order to assess how blockchain has been studied and applied in practice. Our analysis identifies seven main application areas, including supply chain traceability, peer-to-peer energy trading, circular economy models, carbon markets, and biodiversity monitoring. While nearly half of the studies focus on conceptual applications, fewer than one in five investigate real-world deployments, revealing a clear theory–practice divide. The findings also highlight recurring challenges related to regulation, governance, technological scalability, and data credibility. Building on these insights, we propose a set of future research directions to address existing gaps and support the responsible advancement of blockchain for environmental sustainability. The review contributes by clarifying where blockchain holds genuine promise, where its use remains speculative, and how research can better inform both practice and policy in the pursuit of the UN SDGs.