디지털 무역 생태계의 지속가능성 평가와 ESG 연계 방안

Assessing the Sustainability of the Digital Trade Ecosystem and Its Linkage to ESG

Purpose – This study aims to evaluate the sustainability of the digital trade ecosystem through the lens of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. While previous research has primarily focused on the technological, regulatory, or economic dimensions of digital trade, this paper seeks to establish an interdisciplinary framework that integrates ESG into the assessment of digital trade. Design/Methodology/Approach – The paper employs a conceptual and comparative analysis, synthesizing legal provisions, policy frameworks, and case studies from the EU, China, Korea, and other jurisdictions. Particular attention is given to international data governance rules such as the EU GDPR and recent jurisprudence (Schrems II, 2020), in order to highlight the intersection between cross-border data flows and sustainability standards. Findings – The study finds that digital trade, being technology-intensive and data-driven, requires sustainability criteria distinct from traditional manufacturing industries. ESG considerations such as the energy efficiency of data infrastructure, digital inclusiveness, labor protection in platform economies, and transparent governance emerge as critical factors in evaluating digital trade. Research Implications – The results suggest that incorporating ESG into digital trade policy not only addresses environmental and social challenges but also enhances long-term resilience and legitimacy. This framework provides policymakers and scholars with a foundation to advance sustainable digital trade governance.