Sustainable Lifestyle and Consumption in the Digital Era

Sustainable development, based on the principles of environmental protection, economic, and social well-being, is taking on new forms in the era of digital transformation. The research topic “Sustainable Lifestyles and Consumption in the Digital Age” invites submissions that explore (1) the opportunities offered by digitalisation to promote sustainable consumption and lifestyles and (2) a critical analysis of the risks, unintended consequences and potential social and ecological negative impacts of digitalisation. The issue plans to present research that examines the interaction between digitalisation and sustainability, discussing topics such as consumer behaviour, circular and sharing economy models, and innovation. By integrating social, technological, and environmental aspects, the section seeks to identify directions to achieve a more responsible and resource-efficient lifestyle in the digital age. Therefore, we invite you to contribute to the preparation of the special issue by submitting scientific articles that combine empirical research, theoretical insights, or case studies that contribute to an interdisciplinary understanding of sustainable consumption and lifestyles in the digital age.

The interaction between digitalisation and sustainability is having a significant impact on consumer behaviour and lifestyle, raising questions about resource efficiency, environmental impact, and social responsibility. The aim of this special issue is to explore how digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, big data, and online platforms, can promote sustainable lifestyles and responsible consumption. To achieve this, interdisciplinary research is needed, encompassing social, technological, and environmental perspectives, to identify strategies that promote circular and sharing economy models, behavioural changes, and sustainable consumption patterns in the digital age.

The scope of this research topic focusses on the interaction between sustainability and digitalisation, examining how digital transformation is changing lifestyles, consumption behaviour, and resource use. The special issue focusses on (but is not limited to) the following topics:

Sustainable consumption: Includes research that examines the way people consume in a way that meets their current needs without harming the environment or limiting opportunities for future generations, i.e., responsible resource use, waste reduction, responsible energy use, sustainable transport, low-carbon lifestyles, choosing eco-friendly products.

Consumer behaviour: Research covers how people make decisions to buy, use, and/or discard goods or services and what factors: psychological, social, cultural, and economic influence and how consumers choose. Papers may include decision-making processes, promotion strategies, and changes in purchasing habits, sustainable behavior change.

Circular economy: The research aimed to reduce waste, extend life cycles, and maximise resource reuse. This may include product life cycle analysis, reuse / recycling models, recycling innovations, sustainable manufacturing, and sharing.

Social and digital responsibility: Research that examines the responsibility of organisations, companies, or individuals for the impact of their activities on society and the environment, contributing to the common good, as well as the ethical and responsible use of digital technologies.

Smart living: Research exploring digitalisation and the role of technology in life to improve quality of life while reducing environmental impact. Examples include data-driven solutions that improve quality of life, and health monitoring devices.

Digital Transformation: Research that encompasses profound cultural, organisational, and strategic change driven by new technologies to fundamentally transform their operations, business models, services, communication, and value creation. Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud Computing, Automation and Robotics, Blockchain, Digitalisation and Sustainability.

Smart Cities and Sustainable Lifestyle: Research covering urban innovations aimed at improving quality of life and reducing environmental impact. Sustainable mobility, data-driven urban planning, citizen participation.

Therefore, we invite you to contribute to the special issue ‘Sustainable Lifestyles and Consumption in the Digital Age’ by submitting scientific articles that combine empirical research, theoretical insights, or case studies that contribute to an interdisciplinary understanding of Sustainable Consumption and Lifestyles in the digital age.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Sustainable lifestyle, Sustainable consumption, Digital transformation, Social responsibility, Circular economy

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.