Abstract

Technological progress and economic growth may be linked to the Anthropocene and its sustainability implications in a multitude of ways. The legal, political, and economic implications of emerging technologies intersect with the concept and the reality of the Anthropocene in various contexts. This article outlines a research agenda that examines the entangled relationships between law, technology, and ecology in the Anthropocene. It offers a conceptual framework that distinguishes three interrelated roles of technology: as a driver of ecological degradation, as an enabler of the techno-financial economy, and as a tool for environmental governance. Through this typology, the paper interrogates the systemic and distributive consequences of emerging technologies – such as AI, biotechnology, and robotics – highlighting their implications for legal thought, ecological justice, and regulatory design. Beyond legal and technical solutionism, the article further maps out systemic legal approaches, while also engaging with Marxist critiques of socio-ecological exploitation.