“We don’t have to engage in grand and heroic actions to participate in change. Small actions, if multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world,” said American historian Howard Zinn, activist and essayist, urging, already in the last century, to adopt small and virtuous daily habits to make a difference.
How many of these habits could be choices of products or services selected based on their impact on the environment?
The way raw materials are processed, the energy production they require, and the waste it generates can be corrected and improved by changing small habits with the support of technology!
Digital technologies for sustainable development
The protection of our environment, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and therefore global warming is a topic that stands out to the point of triggering the gears of our industry, redefining the approach to production and working with a new paradigm: Industry 5.0.
Sustainability plays a central role in industry and concerns production at every level.
Advanced digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, robotics, and augmented and virtual reality, if integrated into Industry 5.0, can contribute in all stages of production to promote environmental well-being and future generations.
After all, this is what “sustainable” means: support and defend our natural resources, promote development without waste, and take care of our planet for those who are and will be present to experience it.
Sustainability is about balancing human well-being with that of our planet.
Sustainability is a concept that refers to the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. In other words, it means living and operating using natural and human resources responsibly so that our planet can continue to provide the goods and services we all need. Sustainability applies to many fields, including the environment, the economy, society, and culture. It includes management of natural resources, sustainable production and consumption, biodiversity conservation, social justice, and cohesion, the protection of human rights and dignity, and the promotion of development models that respect the limits of our planet. Sustainability is a holistic approach to life and human activity, balancing human well-being with planet health.
[Brundtland Report]
Industry 5.0: a turning point for the environment?
Industry 5.0 represents a turning point compared to previous industrial revolutions because it reflects the evolution towards progress that focuses on the relationship between cause and effect, between the “why” and the “how,” to identify and solve problems in the long term.
The fact that Industry 5.0 aims to reduce the environmental impact of production through innovative technologies involves production in responsible actions that go beyond individual assembly lines to address global issues such as poverty, hunger, inequality, climate change, and sustainability.
Let’s think about management software that allows for process automation, making certain phases more precise and speeding up the transition to subsequent ones. It rationalizes resources, reduces waste, and defends the planet. The most significant emissions come from the energy industries (26.9%) and transportation (30.7%). Non-industrial combustion accounts for 22.6%. Manufacturing and construction industries account for 14.4%, and the remaining emissions come from industrial processes (4.4%) and other sectors (less than 0.2%). [Source: Ispra environment]
Companies from different sectors are demonstrating that, yes, something could change. That very little is enough, as Zinn said, to give future generations hope for a healthier future than current prospects. For example, employing renewable
energies, using sustainable materials, and automating processes.
Renewable energy
Solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal energy can empower industrial activities. It reduces dependence on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions, thus reducing the environmental impact.
Sustainable materials
Sustainable materials such as biodegradable plastics, FSC-certified wood, and recycled fiberglass can help reduce industry impact on the environment.
Automation
Automation reduces greenhouse gas emissions, can help reduce human error, and optimize production processes, optimizing the time and energy consumption required to produce a particular product.
Benefits for companies
A company that chooses sustainable production today has an advantage in terms of saving time and resources, reducing waste and costs, improving the efficiency of business activities and processes, and having better risk management capabilities.
Cost reduction
Adopting sustainable practices such as energy efficiency and waste management can help companies reduce production costs, resulting in increased profitability.
Operational efficiency
More efficient production processes and optimized resource management can help reduce production times and improve order management.
Improved corporate reputation
Companies adopting sustainable practices can enjoy a better reputation, increasing customer trust.
Compliance with environmental regulations
The adoption of sustainable practices can help companies comply with environmental regulations, reducing the risk of fines and sanctions while improving corporate reputation.
Access to new markets
Sustainability provides access to new business opportunities and growth.
Focusing on technologies that benefit the environment and people
To initiate the transition to more sustainable products for the environment and people, it is necessary to choose technologies that can facilitate work while safeguarding the environment.
Eye4Task is a remote collaboration platform for field operators. Using smart glasses, domain experts reduce travel for customer assistance, thus reducing emissions from highly polluting means of transportation such as airplanes or cars.
Furthermore, maintenance activities are done more quickly, avoiding unnecessary energy consumption in the event of malfunctions.
Contact us to learn more about making management sustainable and improving product quality through immersive technologies and wearables.