There’s no denying that the rapid evolution of technology has had a fundamental impact on all our lives. Accelerated digital transformation has surfaced countless benefits and conveniences for consumers and businesses alike. Today’s technology allows us to automate processes, reduce costs, improve productivity, and access better customer service.

However, all of this progress does come with a cost. Studies show the technology sector is responsible for between 2-7% of all global greenhouse commissions, and more than 53.6 million tons of electronic waste each year.

As our reliance on technology grows, the earth is feeling the impact, prompting countless government groups and regulatory bodies to launch initiatives designed to reduce environmental damage.

While many tech leaders are already investing in comprehensive ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) techniques, innovators like Logitech believe the path to environmental restoration will be forged with collaboration, education, and transparency.

Logitech’s Approach to Tech Sustainability

Sustainability is a top priority for Logitech. The company’s scope includes the whole value chain. Every year, since 2008, Logitech has published transparent sustainability reports, outlining the progress it’s making towards its goals. By 2030, the company commits to reduce its Scope 3 emissions by 50%.

Additionally, Logitech has aligned with global reporting frameworks, supports the Paris Agreement, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals framework, and the RBA (Responsible Business Alliance) in their quest to reduce environmental impacts.

So far, Logitech has made significant strides, focusing on carbon reductions, renewable energy, and circular solutions, and has a long-term net zero target.

However, Logitech also believes that to overcome the growing challenges in the technology industry, there needs to be a fundamental change to how organizations operate. As Robert O’Mahony, the Head of Sustainability at Logitech notes, sustainable design shouldn’t just be seen as a “competitive advantage” for organizations, it should be standard practice.

Designing for Sustainability and Enhancing Carbon Clarity

At the heart of Logitech’s vision is a commitment to “Designing for Sustainability”. According to the company, this means each new generation of products produced should have a lower carbon footprint than its predecessor.

Since 2019, Logitech has reduced its own carbon footprint by 58%, and its value chain emissions by 24%, by following the practices of using fewer resources, and smarter designs in new products. The organization says prioritizing sustainable design allows them to find unique ways to reduce their footprint quickly, such as using Next Life Plastics in 73% of their products, low-carbon aluminium in 66 product lines, and paper-based packaging.

However, simply designing for sustainability isn’t enough. Logitech believes it’s crucial for them to act as a guiding light for the companies and consumers they serve, providing insights into the true impact of their purchase, with a unique approach to “carbon clarity”.

The company has developed the practice of showing the total weight of carbon emissions associated with each product throughout its lifecycle.

The company wants the entire technology industry to follow a similar practice, showing customers the “carbon calories” they’re consuming with each product they purchase. For instance, the Brio 705 camera uses low carbon aluminium made from renewable energy and the plastic parts in the black and graphite versions are made with 82% post-consumer recycled material.

Championing the Rise of Environmental Stewardship

E-waste and environmental stewardship in the technology sector isn’t something one company can overcome alone. Logitech believes that a positive future depends on collaboration between tech manufacturers, suppliers, and consumers.

So, what do we need to implement, on a global scale, to make a real difference? According to Logitech, there are a few key areas to start with:

Enhancing Circularity

Circularity in the technology industry has incredible potential to reduce waste, minimize carbon emissions, and improve customer experiences. Notably, Logitech prioritizes circularity in their own sustainability practices, leveraging circular design processes and alternative materials to reduce waste.

They also offer software and maintenance and offer simple and convenient options for customers to recycle their end-of-life devices. This all essentially means Logitech can reduce its reliance on raw materials and extract the most value from each product it produces. Many other well-intentioned organizations follow similar practices, but all of these “circular” ecosystems typically exist in silos.

For instance, there may be instances where a company in the technology industry could effectively use waste materials produced by the agricultural industry. However, a lack of collaboration between the two sectors means that these materials are often wasted. Bridging those gaps would boost the potential of circularity on a global scale.

Improving Carbon Literacy

As mentioned above, Logitech’s efforts to include more information about the carbon footprint of each device on its product packaging is just one of the ways the company is supporting carbon literacy among consumers. By placing carbon footprint labels on packaging, customers are able to make informed purchase decisions.

However, carbon literacy needs to be a priority for everyone, not just consumers, and not just the people responsible for managing ESG initiatives in organizations. For the tech industry to advance, everyone, from supply chain partners to business leaders and financial experts need to see carbon impact as a priority.

Logitech believes every organization, and individual should be constantly reviewing their approach to sustainability, and monitoring the results they achieve. Generative AI solutions could potentially help with this, providing companies with enhanced ways to track their energy and material consumption, and offering suggestions on how to improve their carbon footprint.

Driving Carbon Transparency

Finally, full transparency from all organizations will be critical to educating customers. Full transparency means that companies will need to share everything about their sustainability initiatives, not just what they’re mandated to share by global and government regulations.

If all suppliers, technology companies and innovators are equally transparent about the challenges they’re facing with regards to sustainability, and the accomplishments they have achieved, this will help the technology industry evolve on a greater scale.

Building a Sustainable Technology Industry

Ultimately, the path to a positive future in the technology industry will be a difficult one for organizations and consumers to traverse. To reduce waste, minimize emissions, and still access all the value technology has to offer, there needs to be a focus on global collaboration, transparency, and carbon education. Logitech is already achieving incredible results with its focus on reducing carbon impact. However, it believes that true success requires a holistic effort.

If all suppliers, consumers, and technology companies can work together to reduce carbon emissions, manufacture products with lower impact materials and components, and inform consumers, we can reduce the negative impacts on our planet, without missing out on the latest devices.



from UC Today https://ift.tt/ekC7rcS