Innovative financial solutions for sustainable investments using artificial intelligence-based hybrid fuzzy decision-making approach in carbon capture technologies

High costs, technical difficulties, and policy uncertainties are the main challenges in carbon capture technology investments. Therefore, innovative financial products are required to develop projects that overcome these difficulties. Some issues must be considered when developing innovative financial products. An important problem in this process is that these features cannot possibly exist together in the new financial product, because each of these features incurs some costs. Therefore, identifying the most important features of innovative financial products is necessary. Accordingly, this study develops a new and innovative financial product to increase the effectiveness of investments in carbon capture technologies. For this purpose, a novel artificial intelligence (AI)-based fuzzy decision-making model is constructed. First, the weights of the experts were calculated by considering AI methodology. Second, the factors affecting investment in carbon capture technologies were weighted using a spherical fuzzy DEMATEL. Finally, the financial features required for investments were ranked using the spherical fuzzy ARAS method. This study’s main contribution is its creation of a novel fuzzy decision-making model by integrating AI methodology with fuzzy decision-making theory. In this process, the weights of the experts are calculated using an AI approach. It is concluded that cost-effectiveness must be prioritized in the development of new financial products. Technological competence is another aspect that should be considered in this process. However, innovative financial products should include risk management and flexible financing.