The industrial sector accounts for more than 1/3 of global greenhouse gas emissions. The movement to decarbonize industry has rapidly escalated in recent years with companies in virtually every sector feeling the pressure to reduce carbon-based energy consumption, waste and environmental impact.
In response, many companies have made a commitment to sustainability a top priority. Ninety percent of companies now publish corporate social responsibility reports and three out of four Fortune 100 companies have made commitments to reduce emissions in response to consumers, investors, and regulatory groups alike all demanding real, measurable results.
Many companies have struggled to implement measurable solutions in their pursuit of lower emissions, but what they don’t realize is that it does not have to be an all or nothing process, and that there are practical, tangible and cost-effective ways to make progress toward decarbonization right now. Some simple solutions include:
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Upgrade Lighting to LEDS. Industrial LED lighting technology has proven to lower energy consumption by up to 90% and each LED light fixture installed can eliminate one metric ton of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Well-made industrial LED lighting is designed to maximize site safety through long-lasting fixtures built to withstand tough environments, virtually eliminating the need for costly and burdensome maintenance over the lifespan of the fixture. Yet the vast majority of the industrial sector still relies on antiquated, environmentally damaging lighting technologies that require frequent maintenance or replacement. Upgrading to LED lighting is an easy, cost-effective, low-risk solution for lowering carbon emissions and making fast progress on meeting decarbonization goals.
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Leverage automation. Building automation simplifies processes and increases productivity by monitoring industrial equipment to ensure performance, efficiency, and energy consumption. It also offers added benefits such as preventive maintenance. Lighting can easily be included in building management schedules to reduce energy consumption by leveraging daylight harvesting and occupancy sensors, as well as grouping, dimming, and scheduling lighting around the unique needs of a facility. In most industrial facilities that operate 24/7, the lights are kept on around the clock due in large part to the long warm-up period of antiquated lighting. Switching to LED light fixtures completely eliminates this issue and when integrated with building automation can provide advanced controls functionality to further cut energy consumption.
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Invest in solar panels. Over the last few years, solar power has become not only the cleanest but also the cheapest energy source in the world. Because the majority of manufacturing takes place during the day, most industrial facilities can leverage solar power without the need for energy storage systems. What’s more, high-efficiency LED lighting is the ideal companion for solar power, as its low energy demand means lighting will consume a much smaller proportion of overall energy, freeing up more solar power for production needs.
Regardless of changing global dynamics and market conditions, meeting decarbonization goals will remain a top priority in the coming years, especially as more regulations are established for companies hoping to achieve net zero by 2050. These sensible solutions offer a meaningful and measurable means of creating a less carbon-intensive business model starting today.