The climate impact and the ecological transition in the chemical, technology, and artificial intelligence sectors

Abstract

The impact of climate change on different economic sectors must necessarily refer both to compliance with the legal requirements for each sector, depending on its activity and characteristics, and to the protection and defence of the interests and rights of workers and of the business initiative itself in order to comply with nationally and internationally adopted commitments on climate change mitigation, just transition, and the defence of people. Some sectors are considered essential for achieving better levels of sustainability and greening of the economy, due to their potential to promote energy and resource savings and climate change mitigation. Paradoxically, these are also highly polluting sectors that are dangerous from the point of view of workers and citizens themselves, and whose favourable potential is still in question. This must be linked to greater legal regulation, greater control, and further development, which, although it can be brought forward, cannot yet be considered achieved. The chemical industry, the digital technology sector, and, specifically, artificial intelligence applications are recognized sectors that are called upon to play a key role in the ecological transition, but at present they are showing fewer achievements and results than might be expected.