Digital applications (Industry 4.0) in industrial processes could lead to an increase in energy efficiency as they provide transparency about energy consumption patterns and help to optimize a company’s energy management. Linking Industry 4.0 and sustainable energy efforts could enable economies to reduce their carbon footprint and become more sustainable. Industrial digital technology applications include: Internet of Things (IoT) Internet of Things describes the next iteration of the internet, where information & data are no longer predominantly generated and processed by humans, but by a network of interconnected ‘smart objects’, embedded sensors and miniaturized computers, able to sense their environment, process data, and engage in machine-to-machine communication, e.g. connected watches or cars. Industrial applications include e.g. Veolia’s use of interconnected sensors to continuously monitor its water treatment processes (e.g. pH, temperature, etc.) and enable real-time or even pre-emptive maintenance, hence saving costs and enabling better quality and safety standards. Big Data Big data describe sets of data characterized by high volume, high velocity, and high variety using advanced analytical tools to process data into actionable information by identifying patterns, trends, and relationships. Applications in everyday life include, new analytical devices (e.g. in the medical sector), as well as the increased number of sensors and connected objects (the Internet of Things) which continuously generate large amounts of data. Big data could support sustainability, for instance by helping produce relevant statistics that enable better informed decision making as much on economic, environmental or societal issues. Blockchains Blockchains are distributed databases made of blocks stored on a large number of machines, so that any changes made to the database are permanently recorded, and any record is made publicly available thanks to the distributed design. Blockchains could bring transformation in traceability and data robustness, which opens up new opportunities for reducing/eliminating the need for a middleman in many operations, e.g. supply of certified renewable electricity coming from distributed energy generation, the verification of legal provisions, the establishment of a patent, or a simple payment. Additive-layers manufacturing (3D-printing) Technologies such as additive-layer manufacturing also known as 3D-printing can lead to fuel savings & CO2 emission reductions in serial or mass manufacturing processes. E.g. for General Electric’s LEAP engine, where 3D-printing enabled to go from 18 sub-parts to only 1. This not only multiplied the durability of the component by 5 and reduced its weight by 25 %, but also enabled a better optimized geometry to achieve higher combustion efficiency leading to fuel savings throughout the life of the engine and reducing its CO2 emissions.