Ignorance is bliss: Sustainability and the role of zero-knowledge proof algorithms

Sustainability has increasingly become front of mind for many organizations. One of the key challenges in successfully rolling out sustainability initiatives is seamless sharing of information across the value chain. Being able to find answers to questions like “Where should I be collecting waste?” and “What chemicals are present in this finished product and in what quantities?” can mean the difference between being able and not being able to recycle a particular product. Likewise, tracking industrial carbon emissions accurately is critical for regulatory purposes and to establish a robust carbon trading economy. However, businesses fear that sharing such information will allow competitors to learn about their products and processes and thereby erode their competitive advantage. This is where zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) can play a critical role.