Strategies for lowering manufacturer’s carbon footprints
Manufacturers have the capacity to lower their carbon emissions by making certain changes to their processes. One way this can be done is by utilizing more effective production methods that are more energy-efficient. For instance, companies can invest in new technologies that are more efficient than older ones, or they can adjust their processes to use renewable resources.
Additionally, they could look into alternative energy sources, such as solar or wind power, to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. Furthermore, waste reduction is a great way to help reduce carbon emissions. Companies can look into ways to reuse or recycle materials, as well as implement better ways to manage their waste. Finally, companies can also take steps to reduce the emissions from their transportation systems. By investing in more efficient vehicles, making changes to their delivery routes, and utilizing public transportation, companies can help to reduce their overall carbon emissions.
Approximately 20% of the world’s carbon emissions can be traced to the manufacturing and production industry and more than half of the global energy consumption is attributed to this sector.
Achieving global climate goals can be aided by cutting down on carbon emissions from the manufacturing industry – and the advantages of carbon management are not limited to sustainability for the manufacturers.
Staying compliant with existing and upcoming regulations, as well as limiting waste and increasing efficiency, can all be achieved by manufacturers who efficiently manage their carbon emissions.
Even though each organisation’s endeavour to reduce carbon is distinctive, some similarities and patterns are applicable all over the sector. The following are some of the frequently encountered problems, advantageous solutions, and helpful resources to support the decrease of manufacturer carbon footprints.
Difficulties regularly encountered when attempting to regulate carbon in the production process
The famous adage reminds us that it is impossible to manage something without measuring it first, and this is certainly true when it comes to carbon management – it all starts with the calculation of carbon levels.
A frequent issue of carbon management is the exact and thorough assessment of emissions.
Producers of goods often have intricate and far-reaching value chains. Their vendors are found in multiple countries, and the emissions data from them might be unreliable – or not exist at all. As such, this makes it tough for manufacturers to obtain the information needed to determine the emissions of their value chain.
For manufacturers to optimise their emission management, they must carry out extensive calculations.
In cases where production has been delegated, the collection of data required to determine emissions becomes much more complex, since multiple items can be made for different customers at a single factory.
The results of inaccurate emission estimations are far-reaching and extensive.
Manufacturers who operate with incomplete data will find that their carbon emission initiatives are not fully realized. This can lead to an inefficient use of time and resources that could otherwise have been allocated more effectively.
Incomplete emissions data will prevent manufacturers from generating the detailed climate impact reports that potential customers demand, thus limiting their chances of securing contracts.
Strategies to diminish carbon output from manufacturers efficiently
A hefty amount of carbon footprints from manufacturers are usually caused by emissions that happen on-site or from the procurement of energy scopes 1 and 2.
A large amount of carbon-intensive fossil fuels such as natural gas and diesel are typically used by producers. Thus, if manufacturers cut back on their usage, it can result in substantial decarbonization.
For scope 1, producers can reduce reliance on fossil fuels by switching to non-carbon sources of energy such as biomass, recovered heat, heat pumps, and electric heaters.
In order to make significant reductions to carbon emissions, it is necessary to transition to renewable energy sources in scope 2. To confirm the renewability of an energy source, producers should consider those possessing Guarantees of Origin (GOs) or Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
Furthermore, companies that have already switched to green energy sources can gain extra savings when they transition their vehicle fleets to electric power.
Although scope 1 and 2 emissions constitute a great proportion of a manufacturer’s carbon footprint, there is still potential to lessen scope 3 emissions.
The approaches to lowering Scope 3 emissions will be distinct for each manufacturer, but many of these decreases can be achieved through procurement – for example, by selecting materials that have a higher proportion of recycled material.
Industrial producers can take significant steps to minimise their utilization of sold products. On the other hand, companies in the fast-moving consumer goods sector can shape important alterations in the demise of their items.
