This paper brings, as an element of novelty and originality, a strategic feasibility study, in the form of a logical analysis related to the proposed objective, with particularization to the area of the EFTA plus the UK and Ireland. We tried to achieve an overall picture of a sustainable and prudent transition at the macroeconomic level, but also at the microeconomic and local levels, with specific values of ecological and energy-smart villages/towns. The convergent actions of the signatory states of the climate treaty COP-26/2021—Glasgow, UK are to improve the logistics and financing of the large-scale replacement of fossil fuels used in the economy and lives of human society. Various strategies have been discussed to address the energy mixes that could be used in the transition phase in stages and combined-cycle natural-gas plants, conditioned by the implementation of CCUS technology. The preliminary stage will focus on the provision and implementation of modern technologies for the production of electricity in photovoltaic and wind power. Starting with the 2030s, the industrialized production of blue and green hydrogen is expected; the first is expected to be obtained from the chemical synthesis of natural gas with the separation and storage of residual carbon from chemical reactions, and the second directly from ocean water through the phenomenon of H₂O electrolysis. As a basic legislative element, the strategy aims to refine the idea of a carbon tax at the border or at the user, in order to discourage the use of fossil fuels.

Digitalization has become a watchword in all areas of economic and social activity, and its integration has become a necessity for every state worldwide. If a few years ago we were talking about technological innovation and cutting-edge technologies we are now talking about digital technologies, robotics, big data, and artificial intelligence, and future industrial production will develop in symbiosis with modern information and communication technology. The paper aims to show the impact of digitalization on macroeconomic indicators, including labor productivity, value-added, and value of exports of goods and services, and in this regard, we have built an econometric model to see how digitalization and the evolution of macroeconomic indicators work, and how they will influence the degree of growth and economic development. The research results verify the hypotheses we started from, namely that there is a positive and strong correlation between digitalization and productivity, as well as between digitalization and value-added, and that there is a positive, yet weaker correlation between digitization and exports. The impact of digitalization on macroeconomic indicators extends beyond the theoretical and practical implications, as they influence both the decision-making process of the companies’ management and national and European economic policies.

The development of artificial intelligence has enabled the automation of an increasing number of processes and actions in the online environment, from creating unique and engaging content to simulating user behaviors (likes, comments, reviews). This automation has brought several positives to the online environment, including reduced working time and better results, among others. However, at the other end of the spectrum, consumer trust is starting to decline. Before the advent of artificial intelligence, reviews were often the opinions of other customers who had tried the product or service in question. With the evolution of these reviews, providers can now automatically post them to create a favorable image. Given the increasing concern among young people about environmental issues, this study investigates how AI-generated content affects their trust in sustainability-related online reviews and how this trust influences their pro-environmental purchasing decisions. Quantitative research was conducted in the article, based on which a conceptual model of the degree of trust users have in online reviews and reactions in the context of artificial intelligence was developed. The research methodology involved conducting quantitative research and constructing variables based on the data collected. The results revealed significant links between the evolution of artificial intelligence and the degree of trust users place in general feedback found in online environments.

The transition to a circular economy is imperative in order to confer considerable benefits upon the environment, the economy, and society. The present study aimed to analyse the interdependence and causal relationships between recyclable material consumption as the dependent variable and other independent variables, including the raw material footprint, the trade in recyclable materials, greenhouse gas emissions, investments in the circular economy sectors, the real GDP per capita, renewable energy sources, the circular material use rate, and the population within the 27 EU Member States from 2013 to 2021. In order to achieve the objective, a two-stage economic model was constructed using a panel approach. The research findings indicate a direct and positive correlation between the consumption of recyclable materials and all the aforementioned independent variables, with the exception of greenhouse gas emissions. This study confirms that innovation and investment significantly reduce environmental degradation, and, moreover, the efficiency of investment remains unaffected. A further relationship that emerged from this study is that developed countries have higher resource consumption, which is consistent with the cause of increased consumption being the rapid growth of the middle class around the world. The main conclusion is that Europe cannot achieve sustainable development without a circular economy.

The circular economy and the principles by which it is guided, has become the subject of more and more scientific works, the authors defining this green part of consumerism in multiple and diverse ways, but all focusing on the decision-making power of consumers and producers regarding the consumption of goods and services, respectively of the practical measures to maximize the recycling and reuse of the resulting waste. This research follows the evolution of the impact of the human factor on the environment at the level of Romania in the period 1948-2024, of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland (UEFTA-Liechtenstein) in the period 2010-2022, respectively 2004 - 2021. The main purpose of the article is to to determine the economic behavior models of the main actors on the global market, regarding the circular economy, with the aim of understanding their motivations and obviously to recommend the changes in mentality and implicitly the reactions, respectively the actions perceived to be strictly necessary for a sustainable use of raw materials and materials used in production processes. Of course, the concept of circular economy is one of vital importance for the entire human society, especially in the conditions of the demographic explosion predicted in the foreseeable future. For multiple reasons, this concept is absolutely decisive for avoiding the economic, social and ecological collapse of the entire planet we live on. The fundamental question we want to answer is “What are the main behaviors of consumers and producers regarding the circular economy?”, in order to be able to determine the current motivations, possibly future forecast and rewards that prove beneficial in the implementation of the principles of the green economy. The study is based on data related to GDP/capita, the recycling rate, the amount of greenhouse gases emitted and the number of vehicles with alternative propulsion.