Sustainability and Digitalization
Can Sustainability and Digitalization Go Hand In Hand?: When you think of sustainability, what comes to your mind? Recycling, water and energy savings, and selective collection are some of the most frequent responses. But the concept is broader than that. To be sustainable is to act in favor of preserving the environment and supplying the needs of current generations without compromising those that will come in the future.
A company communicates and acts truthfully and fairly with society when it is sustainable. As a two-way street, sustainability not only makes the world more harmonious but also brings a series of benefits to companies, such as greater involvement and productivity of the team, greater attractiveness in the job market, and a positive impact on the company’s commercial image before society, cost reduction and profitability.
Sustainability and Digitalization– Can we integrate the two?
Technology is a great ally of sustainability. It enables the creation and application of sustainable solutions for the daily lives of companies. After all, real change starts with small internal actions.
Even so, many companies still don’t know where to start. Despite the large dimension that the subject carries, it is possible to preserve the environmental and social balance with small changes. In 2021, we reinforced decarbonization in our operations by adhering to three sustainability initiatives that can inspire other businesses. By integrating the Science Based Targets (SBTi) initiative and supporting three actions led by the Climate Group, we commit to:
- Use 100% renewable electricity (RE100)
- Improve our energy productivity while reducing our carbon emissions (EP100)
- Have 100% electric vehicles by 2030 (EV100)
The decarbonization process and its importance in the movement toward sustainability
The emission of CO2 into the atmosphere, arising mainly from burning fossil fuels, is identified as one of the central causes of global warming. In addition to altering the composition of the air around the planet, the released carbon dioxide retains heat in the lower layers of the atmosphere, unbalancing the climate and increasing average temperatures.
Even in 2020, when air pollution levels dropped due to the drop in economic activity around the world, 34 billion tons of CO2 were released, according to a survey carried out by the Global Carbon Project and the Universities of Exeter and East Anglia from the UK.
A study showed that global CO2 emissions need to fall by around 45% by 2030 and reach zero by 2050 for the world to have a chance of keeping warming under control at 1.5 degrees Celsius. One of the ways to achieve this urgent goal for the world is to bet on decarbonization.
How to start?
Where there is a threat, there must be planning. We did not achieve our zero cost reduction ratios. On the contrary, 65 million euros were invested in energy efficiency projects to achieve our goal globally.
If studies show that the global energy demand may increase, focus your efforts on energy efficiency. If the priority is clean energy consumption, look for possible alternatives for your company. Our global CEO says 70% of all emissions will come from cities, bet on projects and customers who are willing to make them smart.
Our consistent and innovative environmental management and protection system is integral to our business processes and exceeds legal requirements. Environmental impacts arise not only in the production phase but also in the design, marketing, use, maintenance, and disposal phases.
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