Blockchain in Digital Twins for Carbon Targets

The convergence of digital twin technology and blockchain is emerging as a powerful enabler for real-time, trustworthy carbon target management across sectors. Digital twins offer dynamic, data-rich simulations of physical assets and systems, while blockchain provides immutable, decentralised data governance. Together, they address critical challenges in emissions monitoring, verification, and accountability. The chapter explores how blockchain enhances digital twins through improved data integrity, transparency, smart contract automation, and decentralised trust, particularly in multi-stakeholder settings. It examines use cases in energy, transportation, manufacturing, and supply chains, detailing how tokenisation and carbon credit systems can incentivise emissions reductions. Case studies from Kongsberg Digital, Hyundai, Kia, and BASF illustrate real-world implementations, highlighting the operational and strategic value of blockchain-augmented digital twins. National and regional digital twin initiatives in the UK, EU, USA, and China are analysed to show how governments are incorporating blockchain to support climate targets. Key challenges are also addressed, including scalability, data privacy, integration, and regulatory uncertainty. The chapter concludes with insights into future trajectories, including as integration of IoT (AI), national carbon ledgers, and the standardisation of digital infrastructure for climate accountability .