As the world celebrates Earth Day, here are ways companies are pursuing sustainability – Industry News

Sustainability has been a buzz word for over a decade and its horizons have only expanded over time. The so-called definition of sustainability is now no longer limited to what was previously understood as reducing, reusing and recycling the natural resources for future generations. However, the Gen-Z era has a much deeper understanding of ‘sustainability’, with masses opting for sustainable living options such as choosing organic produce and opting for electric vehicles, among others.

Not just the masses, but companies are also going green with sustainability goals as this year’s World Earth Day theme focuses on ‘Planet vs/s Plastic’. “As we celebrate Earth Day, it is paramount to highlight the critical role of energy efficiency in climate action and redefine the importance of demand management in the energy transition. Innovation acts as a catalyst for these transitions, with emerging technologies offering promising solutions to optimize energy and resource use. At the same time, there is an urgent need to prioritize inclusive capacity building within this rapidly evolving landscape, fostering innovation to pave new paths for progress,” Satish Kumar, President and Executive Director of AEEE, told FE Online.

According to a study by Futurescape, approximately 80% of the top 100 companies incorporate Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) into their responsible business actions. All top 25 companies map their business objectives to sustainable development goals. Interestingly, IT and telecom are the leading sectors, where 75% and more companies have mapped their goals with sustainable development goals. The report further highlights that in terms of focus, gender equality, decent work and good health and well-being, quality education, climate action, clean water and sanitation occupy the top position; more than 85% of companies report on this.

Sustainable efforts –

Companies are addressing environmental conservation through multifaceted approaches, such as promoting green commuting, including carpooling, and rewarding employees who use environmentally friendly modes of transportation. Going paperless, reducing paper waste with software, and printing double-sided when necessary are also some necessary steps. Using tinted glass and installing energy-efficient AC units are two examples of temperature management strategies for offices.

In addition, companies are now largely turning to solar energy to reduce the use of fossil fuels. These initiatives aim to reduce negative environmental impacts and promote sustainability in the workplace. “On World Earth Day, our attention is drawn to the urgent theme of ‘Planet versus Plastic.’ Alarmingly, the world produces approximately 400 million tons of plastic waste every year, yet less than 10 percent of the plastic ever produced has been recycled. With every piece of plastic in the ecosystem, we risk losing the very soil that sustains us,” opined Mahesh Girdhar, MD and CEO, EverEnviro Resource Management.

Meanwhile, Axalta claimed that sustainability is at the core of their business and they put this concept into practice through sustainable manufacturing, product development and application, innovation and community service. The company invests in R&D capabilities to create innovative coatings suitable for industry‘s growing demand for environmentally friendly solutions. “Our water-based coating technologies help reduce customers’ environmental footprint. Cromax Pro and Standoblue, our flagship water-based products, feature advanced water-based technology which increases productivity and helps reduce the overall carbon footprint of the industry by reducing VOCs, energy consumption and investments, thereby facilitating India’s sustainable development‘s automotive industry,” explains Lokender Pal Singh, Business Director, Refinish-South Asia and Value Line-ASEAN, Axalta.

Focus on water waste

Industry experts believe that recycled water systems in toilets dramatically reduce water consumption, solving waste management and conservation issues. Another major initiative includes reusable glass water bottles for staff members. “Taking these steps will reduce the use of single-use plastics and conserve water supplies. Spreading awareness among employees about the value of water conservation also helps create a sustainable culture at work,” said Kannan Sivasubramanian, CEO of Aranca.

For Axalta, all of its manufacturing units implement systems that capture and treat water used in manufacturing processes for reuse. That is why water recycling and reuse are integrated into the production process. “Water-efficient machines and equipment are used to minimize water consumption. In its 2030 sustainability goals, Axalta aims to achieve a 10% reduction in process waste, VOC emissions and water use during operations,” added Lokender Pal Singh, Business Director, Refinish-South Asia and Value Line-ASEAN, Axalta. He further pointed out that the company’s water-based coatings use water as the primary solvent instead of the VOCs required for traditional solvent-based paints, making for easier cleaning with less water.