(65a) Cecil Award Presentation: Environmental Sustainability Analytics for Trending Issues on Virtual Engagement, Digital Assets, and Transportation Electrification

In an era where energy and environmental sustainability are paramount, exemplified by the recent COP 28 Agreement and widespread “net zero” commitments, the role of sustainability analytics is increasingly significant. This presentation explores its applications in addressing key societal and industrial challenges. We will examine the climate impacts of recent shifts to virtual and hybrid conferences, the rising trend of remote and hybrid work models, and the metaverse industry's expansion. Subsequently, we will explore strategies for climate-neutral bitcoin mining and its potential to support renewable energy projects, along with the environmental aspects of non-fungible tokens and the Ethereum merge. The final part will discuss the critical metal requirements and environmental impacts of automotive batteries in transportation electrification, covering battery chemistry, recycling technologies, and global supply chain dynamics. Through these examples, we demonstrate the breadth of sustainability analytics, encompassing mathematical programming, data analytics, life cycle assessment, techno-economic analysis, integrated assessment models, systems design and integration, and model-based design of experiments, highlighting its critical role in advancing sustainability across various sectors.