Digital Expression of Green Technology Rules and Pathways to Their Global Adaptation

Abstract

This article examines how the twin transitions of digitalisation and decarbonisation are reshaping global trade by encoding environmental rules into data structures, digital carriers and verification algorithms, a process conceptualised as Green Digital Expression (GDE). It develops a system-oriented “Digital Trade–Environment–Regulation” model and the notion of algorithmic isomorphism to explain how registry systems, platform logistics tools and infrastructure projects translate green norms into code and thereby reconfigure market access, compliance costs and bargaining power. Comparing an EU-style regulatory–coercive path, a platform-based mimetic path and a China-centred infrastructure path, the paper shows that digitalisation can raise green total factor productivity yet simultaneously intensify energy rebound effects and widen a “digital green divide” for the Global South. It concludes with policy recommendations on interoperable standards, support for digital MRV capacity and green IT requirements to align trade facilitation reforms with global climate governance goals.