**5.5 SDG 5: gender equality**

Easier access to financial services (e.g., even informal financial networks) promotes women empowerment as well as their independence. For example, hiveonline [40] is helping women through the CARE Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) program to get access to credits and markets with a fact-based reputation supported by blockchain. Such a financial infrastructure reduces the cost of cross-border payments and the risk of lending.

(RFID) [44], which can be enhanced with additional security capabilities [45]. The next step forward is the so-called smart label [46], which adds novel features like event detection, interaction, and IoT capabilities. Such IoT solutions link cyber and physical worlds while enabling tracking and monitoring of assets and processes. Thus, blockchain goes one step further, making feasible end-to-end transparency in global supply chains. Business data can be shared rapidly between the different stakeholders across a trusted network [13]. In addition, smart contracts provide lower transaction costs by avoiding the intervention of intermediaries and third

*Leveraging Blockchain for Sustainability and Open Innovation: A Cyber-Resilient Approach…*

Ultimately, the ambition is to achieve Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM), aiming to reduce the social and environmental impacts in global supply chains [47]. It is worth mentioning that, although research suggests that the combined use of blockchain and IoT devices will add significant value in supply chain, it will also impose some additional constraints in terms of computing power and

There are a number of supply chain projects deployed worldwide. For instance, Walmart, together with IBM, has developed a blockchain-based traceability system with Hyperledger Fabric [48]. In October 2016, they started with a PoC that tracked two items that were shipped to multiple stores. Before that, when a product had an issue (e.g., a customer became ill), it could take days to identify the batch, shipment, and vendor, and it may require to throw away a lot of the product. Through blockchain, it is possible to obtain specific data and details on the "how, where, and when" of the item within its supply chain. The shared database is able to capture attributes at the level of an individual package to take informed decisions. This functionality enables Walmart today to track a product in seconds (instead of days

Following this approach, in August 2017, IBM announced a consortium with the food sector that included Walmart, Driscoll's, Dole, McCormick, Nestlé, Kroger, Tyson Foods, and Unilever. This consortium, named IBM Food Trust, will further explore the potential of blockchain to boost traceability along global supply chains

The shipping industry can also benefit greatly from blockchain. Ocean freight and maritime transport account for over 90% of the goods shipped globally [49]. The main characteristics are high number of involved stakeholders, complex transactions (e.g., letters of credit), burdensome paperwork, and lack of transparency, traceability, and information sharing. For instance, Maersk and IBM created TradeLens, a blockchain-based solution to create a more secure and efficient global

Additionally, several blockchain startups are also innovating in traceability. For instance, the startup Provenance [51] has created an application to engage customers in the point of sale by providing mechanisms to verify sustainability claims

As it was previously mentioned, blockchain is also able to reduce transaction costs by reducing intermediaries and thus allowing more direct payment flows. For instance, DocuSign [52] is a company that offers several applications (e.g., electronic signature, contract lifecycle management). In 2015, DocuSign collaborated with Visa in a PoC project that used a smart contract to enhance car leasing processes. In 2018, DocuSign integrated an Ethereum blockchain in their signing services. As a result, the signers of an agreement can check anytime the integrity of the contract. DocuSign is also part of the Accord Project [53], a non-profit initiative that aims to develop a technology-agnostic ecosystem with open-source tools for smart

parties.

power efficiency [6].

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92371*

or sometimes weeks).

with more products [48].

(i.e., no greenwashing).

contracts.

**107**

logistics and spur industry-wide innovation [50].

It must be noted that blockchain implies the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), which can contribute to increase access to literacy. Furthermore, the inner characteristics of blockchain remove trust issues and enable the creation of new types of governance that may create equal opportunities for women leadership.

### **5.6 SDG 6: clean water and sanitation**

Sustainable and efficient water management systems involve the use of sophisticated IoT architectures that optimize consumption and availability. Such architectures may be subject to security attacks (e.g., physical attacks on sensors, device cloning, data theft, DoS, jamming, or eavesdropping). Therefore, it is important to cyber-secure these systems and minimize the reliance on cloud-centered architectures that, when the server is down, may derive in the unavailability of the service. In addition, the communication between IoT devices within a decentralized architecture allows for avoiding single points of failure and enables the use of autonomous IoT transactions in a secure manner, thus guarantying tamper-proof data, visibility, and transparency in water trading [41].

#### **5.7 SDG 7: affordable and clean energy**

The authors of [42] study blockchain-based smart grid sustainable local energy markets. These systems enable cost-efficient micro-transactions, avoid central intermediaries, and promote reliability and equality among the different involved agents.

### **5.8 SDG 8: decent work and economic growth**

Blockchain has the ability to promote economic growth by enabling free trade. For instance, it also has the potential to optimize global financial infrastructure in terms of asset transfer and operative costs.

In addition, it may ease new types of economic organization and governance (e.g., innovation-centered and governance-centered [43]). In Davidson et al. [43] the authors present an example of a self-governing organization for evaluating the contributions to projects on a network. When evaluating such an example, they introduce a wide range of perspectives to be considered, such as the problem of contractual enforcement, efficient institutions, governance, or even the constitutional characteristics of a nation.

#### **5.9 SDG 9: industry, innovation, and infrastructure**

The Industry 4.0 paradigm is expected to represent the next phase in the digitalization of all the sectors in the economy [8]. Supply chain traceability has been traditionally performed by wireless technologies like radio-frequency identification *Leveraging Blockchain for Sustainability and Open Innovation: A Cyber-Resilient Approach… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92371*

(RFID) [44], which can be enhanced with additional security capabilities [45]. The next step forward is the so-called smart label [46], which adds novel features like event detection, interaction, and IoT capabilities. Such IoT solutions link cyber and physical worlds while enabling tracking and monitoring of assets and processes. Thus, blockchain goes one step further, making feasible end-to-end transparency in global supply chains. Business data can be shared rapidly between the different stakeholders across a trusted network [13]. In addition, smart contracts provide lower transaction costs by avoiding the intervention of intermediaries and third parties.

Ultimately, the ambition is to achieve Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM), aiming to reduce the social and environmental impacts in global supply chains [47]. It is worth mentioning that, although research suggests that the combined use of blockchain and IoT devices will add significant value in supply chain, it will also impose some additional constraints in terms of computing power and power efficiency [6].

There are a number of supply chain projects deployed worldwide. For instance, Walmart, together with IBM, has developed a blockchain-based traceability system with Hyperledger Fabric [48]. In October 2016, they started with a PoC that tracked two items that were shipped to multiple stores. Before that, when a product had an issue (e.g., a customer became ill), it could take days to identify the batch, shipment, and vendor, and it may require to throw away a lot of the product. Through blockchain, it is possible to obtain specific data and details on the "how, where, and when" of the item within its supply chain. The shared database is able to capture attributes at the level of an individual package to take informed decisions. This functionality enables Walmart today to track a product in seconds (instead of days or sometimes weeks).

Following this approach, in August 2017, IBM announced a consortium with the food sector that included Walmart, Driscoll's, Dole, McCormick, Nestlé, Kroger, Tyson Foods, and Unilever. This consortium, named IBM Food Trust, will further explore the potential of blockchain to boost traceability along global supply chains with more products [48].

The shipping industry can also benefit greatly from blockchain. Ocean freight and maritime transport account for over 90% of the goods shipped globally [49]. The main characteristics are high number of involved stakeholders, complex transactions (e.g., letters of credit), burdensome paperwork, and lack of transparency, traceability, and information sharing. For instance, Maersk and IBM created TradeLens, a blockchain-based solution to create a more secure and efficient global logistics and spur industry-wide innovation [50].

Additionally, several blockchain startups are also innovating in traceability. For instance, the startup Provenance [51] has created an application to engage customers in the point of sale by providing mechanisms to verify sustainability claims (i.e., no greenwashing).

As it was previously mentioned, blockchain is also able to reduce transaction costs by reducing intermediaries and thus allowing more direct payment flows. For instance, DocuSign [52] is a company that offers several applications (e.g., electronic signature, contract lifecycle management). In 2015, DocuSign collaborated with Visa in a PoC project that used a smart contract to enhance car leasing processes. In 2018, DocuSign integrated an Ethereum blockchain in their signing services. As a result, the signers of an agreement can check anytime the integrity of the contract. DocuSign is also part of the Accord Project [53], a non-profit initiative that aims to develop a technology-agnostic ecosystem with open-source tools for smart contracts.

**5.5 SDG 5: gender equality**

*Computer Security Threats*

women leadership.

agents.

**106**

Easier access to financial services (e.g., even informal financial networks) pro-

It must be noted that blockchain implies the use of Information and Communi-

Sustainable and efficient water management systems involve the use of sophisticated IoT architectures that optimize consumption and availability. Such architectures may be subject to security attacks (e.g., physical attacks on sensors, device cloning, data theft, DoS, jamming, or eavesdropping). Therefore, it is important to cyber-secure these systems and minimize the reliance on cloud-centered architectures that, when the server is down, may derive in the unavailability of the service. In addition, the communication between IoT devices within a decentralized architecture allows for avoiding single points of failure and enables the use of autonomous IoT transactions in a secure manner, thus guarantying tamper-proof data,

The authors of [42] study blockchain-based smart grid sustainable local energy markets. These systems enable cost-efficient micro-transactions, avoid central intermediaries, and promote reliability and equality among the different involved

Blockchain has the ability to promote economic growth by enabling free trade. For instance, it also has the potential to optimize global financial infrastructure in

In addition, it may ease new types of economic organization and governance (e.g., innovation-centered and governance-centered [43]). In Davidson et al. [43] the authors present an example of a self-governing organization for evaluating the contributions to projects on a network. When evaluating such an example, they introduce a wide range of perspectives to be considered, such as the problem of contractual enforcement, efficient institutions, governance, or even the constitu-

The Industry 4.0 paradigm is expected to represent the next phase in the digitalization of all the sectors in the economy [8]. Supply chain traceability has been traditionally performed by wireless technologies like radio-frequency identification

cation Technologies (ICT), which can contribute to increase access to literacy. Furthermore, the inner characteristics of blockchain remove trust issues and enable the creation of new types of governance that may create equal opportunities for

motes women empowerment as well as their independence. For example, hiveonline [40] is helping women through the CARE Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) program to get access to credits and markets with a fact-based reputation supported by blockchain. Such a financial infrastructure reduces the cost

of cross-border payments and the risk of lending.

visibility, and transparency in water trading [41].

**5.8 SDG 8: decent work and economic growth**

**5.9 SDG 9: industry, innovation, and infrastructure**

terms of asset transfer and operative costs.

tional characteristics of a nation.

**5.7 SDG 7: affordable and clean energy**

**5.6 SDG 6: clean water and sanitation**

Accurate transaction records enable the use of tools for forecasting. For instance, Augur [54] is a decentralized platform built with Ethereum smart contracts that allows users to create their own prediction markets (i.e., oracle).

coral, another coral is planted. The project is developed, thanks to the collaboration of a non-governmental organization (NGO) partner, and blockchain is used to guarantee transparency, as it is one of the major concerns of potential users.

*Leveraging Blockchain for Sustainability and Open Innovation: A Cyber-Resilient Approach…*

Blockchain can be used to register trustworthy data about the different terres-

Blockchain can help to reduce paper-based processes, minimize fraud, create

aim of creating a legal framework for DLT sharing in corporations and governments. A more ambitious approach is Aragon [65], which is a startup that aims to create worldwide decentralized organizations, including employees and contractors

A good example is Delaware Blockchain Initiative [64], which was born with the

Other initiatives focus on increasing the transparency of democratic processes and on avoiding potential frauds. An example is Follow My Vote [66], which is a

To strengthen the means of collaboration between stakeholders is the key for

The following paragraphs summarize the key main benefits that blockchain will

Blockchain may provide significant operational benefits, since current information systems rely on centralized databases that operate in silos. By having a single, timestamped, immutable, and unique version of the truth, transparency and sim-

Furthermore, re-balancing the degree of information symmetry between stakeholders will help to achieve SDGs and will enable new forms of corporate governance and decentralized corporations. A collaborative mindset (the so-called coopetition) will be necessary to find additional ways to create value.

In terms of the maturity of the technology, there are a number of open challenges related to scalability, interoperability, standardization, or even energy consumption. The process of mining public networks, especially in the case of Bitcoin [67], requires enormous amounts of electricity. Therefore, although the underlying networks can provide sustainable applications, their footprint cannot be neglected [68]. From the cybersecurity standpoint, it is essential to provide secure applications with no single point of failure that comply with the expected degree of privacy. Nonetheless, it must be noted that blockchain can be also subject to cyberattacks [6]. The evolution of quantum computers will affect the security of public-key cryptosystems and hash functions. For instance, the authors of [9] analyze how to evolve blockchain cryptography to resist attacks based on Grover's and Shor's

inclusive institutions, and increase accountability in public services.

cost-effective online voting platform that audits ballots in real time.

**6. Blockchain benefits and challenges toward SDGs and open**

**5.17 SDG 17: partnerships to achieve sustainable development**

enabling open innovation and for achieving SDGs.

bring to SDGs and their main open challenges.

plified audits can be guaranteed.

**5.15 SDG 15: life on land**

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92371*

from developing countries.

**innovation**

algorithms.

**109**

**5.16 SDG 16: peace and justice strong institutions**

trial ecosystems.

Another relevant commercial solution is Storj.io [55], which is a blockchain-enabled cloud storage network where users can rent the storage space that do not use and get paid in Storj tokens or store their information on a globally distributed network.

Some startups focus on removing intermediaries from trading like OpenBazaar [56], while other companies focus on providing visibility and transparency to philanthropy [57]. Such a global foundation leverages Bitcoin and blockchain to perform and track transactions while providing an immutable record of charitable financial transactions.

In 2018, IBM was awarded a patent for its Autonomous Decentralized Peer-to-Peer Telemetry (ADEPT) environment [58]. In 2016, IBM developed jointly with Samsung a PoC using different elements of Bitcoin to create a distributed network of IoT devices. For instance, to secure transactions, it uses a mix of proof of work (PoW) and proof of stake (PoS) as consensus protocols, BitTorrent for file sharing, Telehash for messaging, and Ethereum to support smart contracts.

It is also worth mentioning that other authors focused on smart grids and supply chain management systems as substantial areas of sustainable innovation [59].

#### **5.10 SDG 10: reduced inequality**

Theoretically, blockchain capabilities make the technology a catalyst for enabling a sharing economy with a democratic ownership structure (e.g., fractionally own goods by every community member) while avoiding unnecessary intermediaries. Nevertheless, authors like Novak [60] evaluate the implications of blockchain for income inequality and consider that, although it has potential to have a positive impact, it may also exacerbate current wealth concentration.

#### **5.11 SDG 11: sustainable cities and communities**

The authors of [61] propose a systematic literature review on specific blockchain use cases proposed by the research community. They remark the great concern about the infancy stage of blockchain.

#### **5.12 SDG 12: responsible consumption and production**

Production patterns can be monitored by using supply chain traceability techniques.

#### **5.13 SDG 13: climate action**

Blockchain will likely play an important role on the urgent actions for improving the accountability and transparency of policies to limit global fossil fuel consumption and foster decarbonization. Hyperledger, as part of the Linux Foundation, has recently announced a new Special Interest Group (SIG) that will explore how blockchain can help to address the climate goals set out in the Paris Agreement [62].

#### **5.14 SDG 14: life below water**

The company Possible Future oriented one of its projects to the sustainable use of the oceans, preserving their life and restoring damaged coral reefs [63]. They created a game, named CryptoCorals, in which for each purchase of a virtual coral, another coral is planted. The project is developed, thanks to the collaboration of a non-governmental organization (NGO) partner, and blockchain is used to guarantee transparency, as it is one of the major concerns of potential users.
