The digital platforms in the perspective of environmental sustainability

Abstract

The study aims to analyze the relationship between the digital platforms’ action in the current socio-economic context and the eco-sustainable development goals outlined in the Italian-European and International legal system. After describing the genesis and content of the legal principle of sustainable development, in its environmental dimension, attention was focused on the European Regulation on Digital Services (Digital Services Act) and on the necessity, through a systematic and axiological interpretation of its provisions, to also involve digital platforms in the ecological transition process. Some negative aspects, to be countered, were therefore examined, (climate change disinformation, greenwashing, the online sale of products that do not comply with ecodesign legislation, huge consumption of energy and raw materials, the production of electronic waste) and other positive ones, to be valorised (the promotion of forms of sharing and reuse of goods), of the digital platforms’ action with respect to the achievement of eco-sustainable development goals. The investigation revealed, in conclusion, the ambivalence of the relationship between digital platforms and environmental sustainability and the need for further researches and in-depth studies, in consideration of the necessary eco-sustainable development of society.

Keywords: Digital platforms. Eco-sustainable development. Climate change disinformation. Greenwashing. Online sale of products that do not comply with ecodesign regulations