When I talk to manufacturers about sustainability, many of them are frankly scared.
The concern is understandable. By 2050, the demand for energy is expected to increase by 50 percent, with projected resource use doubling by that date. Companies that want to compete globally will need to comply with stringent carbon regulations such as those set by the Paris Agreement, the European Ecodesign Directive, and Digital Product Passport.
In fact, this shift toward sustainability represents an enormous opportunity—especially for U.S. manufacturers, who can access to millions of dollars in tax rebates and credits if they take proactive steps to reduce their carbon footprints. And the very thing they need to complete much of this work is already at their fingertips: data. According to the University of Cambridge, up to 73 percent of energy consumption can be avoided with current techniques, technologies, and know-how.
The real challenge is bringing all of this information together.
Read this article in full in our Integr8 Playbook, “Sustainable Futures: Pioneering Innovation for a Circular Economy,” here.
