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Dr Torill Bigg CEng MIChemE and Dr Aaron Yeardley discuss how quickly the manufacturing industry changes dependent on the source of power, with Industry 4.0 helping the manufacturing sector cut greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from the use of renewable energy.
Beginning in 1765, the first industrial revolution transformed our economy by using coal to change the way goods were produced and manufactured. Since then, the second industrial revolution was driven by gas in 1870 before being followed by nuclear power in 1969. Today, we are driving through the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) as we see a shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy such as solar and wind power. These revolutions show how quickly the manufacturing industry changes dependent on the source of power, with Industry 4.0 helping the manufacturing sector cut greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from the use of renewable energy.
Industry 4.0 is already happening. It’s transforming the way manufacturing operations are carried out. However, the use of renewable energy is a by-product created by the drive of the digital revolution. The momentum that is shifting Industry 4.0 comes from the acceleration of digital technology. Industry 4.0 is creating cyber-physical systems that can network a production process enabling value creation and real-time optimization. The main factor driving the revolution is the advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. The complex algorithms involved in AI use the data collected from cyber-physical systems, resulting in “smart manufacturing”.
A shortened version of our 'Sustainable Packaging: Material Selection, Carbon Reduction, and the Role of Legislation in Facilitating a Circular Economy' white paper has been featured on Sustainable Packaging News' website. Learn about the latest strategies for reducing carbon emissions in the packaging supply chain, including material selection and regulatory compliance.
All in all, organisations have control over, and choices in, a very large element of their scope 3 emissions. It’s not acceptable to plead that scope 3 is out of their control and is effectively in the gift of their supplier chains. Moreover, a corporation committed to environmental responsibility can work with its wider value chain to facilitate visibility and understanding of the scope 3 emissions that do include supplier emissions.
The UK is a global success story when it comes to reducing carbon emissions. Committed to reaching net zero by 2050, we've surpassed targets for 2012, 2017 and - already - 2022. We are ahead of all EU countries and other leading economies. The carbon savings we've made so far have been the easy ones. To reach Net Zero, we need to start changing the way we live and work. We need to rethink our homes, our heating, our transportation and our food. We can’t reach net zero without these changes impacting on each and every one of us.
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