Integrating Geospatial Intelligence and Digital Transformation for Advancing Environmental Sustainability in Emerging EU Economies

This study explores the interplay between digital transformation and environmental sustainability in four emerging European Union economies—Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, and Romania—through the lens of geographic information science and technology (GIS&T). Leveraging panel data from 2010 to 2022, d...

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Main Authors: Nicoleta Mihaela Doran, Gabriela Badareu, Marian Ilie Siminică
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/7/3444
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author Nicoleta Mihaela Doran
Gabriela Badareu
Marian Ilie Siminică
author_facet Nicoleta Mihaela Doran
Gabriela Badareu
Marian Ilie Siminică
author_sort Nicoleta Mihaela Doran
collection DOAJ
description This study explores the interplay between digital transformation and environmental sustainability in four emerging European Union economies—Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, and Romania—through the lens of geographic information science and technology (GIS&T). Leveraging panel data from 2010 to 2022, digitalization is quantified through infrastructure, affordability, and user adoption metrics, consolidated into a comprehensive digitalization index. Environmental sustainability is assessed via greenhouse gas emissions and the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption, capturing critical spatial and ecological dynamics. Applying a generalized linear model, the results reveal that enhanced digital infrastructure and affordability contribute to emissions reduction, whereas increased user adoption correlates with higher energy demand and emissions. Furthermore, digitalization fosters improved integration of renewable energy sources, highlighting the strategic role of GIS&T in monitoring and optimizing sustainability initiatives. These insights emphasize the necessity of embedding geospatial analytics into policy frameworks to align digital transformation with environmental and socioeconomic sustainability goals.
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spelling doaj-art-b9fd655cc4264325b98f4da19a2acaa92025-08-20T03:08:43ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-03-01157344410.3390/app15073444Integrating Geospatial Intelligence and Digital Transformation for Advancing Environmental Sustainability in Emerging EU EconomiesNicoleta Mihaela Doran0Gabriela Badareu1Marian Ilie Siminică2Department of Finance, Banking and Economic Analysis, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Craiova, 200585 Craiova, RomaniaDepartment of Finance, Banking and Economic Analysis, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Craiova, 200585 Craiova, RomaniaDepartment of Finance, Banking and Economic Analysis, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Craiova, 200585 Craiova, RomaniaThis study explores the interplay between digital transformation and environmental sustainability in four emerging European Union economies—Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, and Romania—through the lens of geographic information science and technology (GIS&T). Leveraging panel data from 2010 to 2022, digitalization is quantified through infrastructure, affordability, and user adoption metrics, consolidated into a comprehensive digitalization index. Environmental sustainability is assessed via greenhouse gas emissions and the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption, capturing critical spatial and ecological dynamics. Applying a generalized linear model, the results reveal that enhanced digital infrastructure and affordability contribute to emissions reduction, whereas increased user adoption correlates with higher energy demand and emissions. Furthermore, digitalization fosters improved integration of renewable energy sources, highlighting the strategic role of GIS&T in monitoring and optimizing sustainability initiatives. These insights emphasize the necessity of embedding geospatial analytics into policy frameworks to align digital transformation with environmental and socioeconomic sustainability goals.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/7/3444GHGsdigitalizationenvironmental sustainabilityGIS&Trenewable energy
spellingShingle Nicoleta Mihaela Doran
Gabriela Badareu
Marian Ilie Siminică
Integrating Geospatial Intelligence and Digital Transformation for Advancing Environmental Sustainability in Emerging EU Economies
Applied Sciences
GHGs
digitalization
environmental sustainability
GIS&T
renewable energy
title Integrating Geospatial Intelligence and Digital Transformation for Advancing Environmental Sustainability in Emerging EU Economies
title_full Integrating Geospatial Intelligence and Digital Transformation for Advancing Environmental Sustainability in Emerging EU Economies
title_fullStr Integrating Geospatial Intelligence and Digital Transformation for Advancing Environmental Sustainability in Emerging EU Economies
title_full_unstemmed Integrating Geospatial Intelligence and Digital Transformation for Advancing Environmental Sustainability in Emerging EU Economies
title_short Integrating Geospatial Intelligence and Digital Transformation for Advancing Environmental Sustainability in Emerging EU Economies
title_sort integrating geospatial intelligence and digital transformation for advancing environmental sustainability in emerging eu economies
topic GHGs
digitalization
environmental sustainability
GIS&T
renewable energy
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/7/3444
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