Leveraging technology to meet sustainability goals

With unsustainable practices threatening the stability of our environment, it’s crucial for businesses to find effective and efficient solutions to combat growing issues like climate change and pollution. Advancing technology is fast becoming a viable option for companies to improve their sustainability efforts.  

In a world that’s constantly demanding more energy and draining our planet’s resources, the Internet of Things (IoT) is one technological solution companies can leverage to foster a more sustainable future. In this article, we explore the basics of IoT and the role it can play in mitigating environmental harm so businesses can meet sustainability goals.

Becoming sustainable is a global effort

Adopted by the United Nations (UN) in 2015, there are 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) that promote the protection of both human health and the environment by 2030. Various countries around the world have pledged to take action to meet these SDGs, but a vast number of resources is required to implement the necessary changes. Technology is one such resource. 

Most of the SDGs incorporate sustainable development, highlighting the vital importance of making sustainable choices — that is, not damaging to human health or the environment, yet durable and long-lasting for future generations to benefit, without producing waste. 

The only way to create sustainable strategies, products, processes, and operations is to identify problem areas, discover sustainable alternatives, and support the implementation of more efficient solutions.  

But how do businesses know where to start?

The Internet of Things

Technology is a crucial resource that businesses can use to monitor everyday operations to better control their environmental impact. One such method is the Internet of Things (IoT) — a system of computing devices and machines connecting the physical world to the digital one. 

The gap between the real world and the world of technology is bridged by “things”, defined as anything able to transfer data, such as a GPS tracker or a vehicle with built-in sensors. 

A benefit of IoT machines is their ability to transfer data over a network without the need for human intervention, allowing businesses to autonomously gather information. IoT is used across various sectors to enhance efficiency in businesses.

And more recently, IoT has been playing a role in driving sustainability and sustainable development, particularly in relation to food waste, water conservation, and energy use.
 

The role of IoT in tackling climate change 

Certain aspects of the IoT can aid companies in propelling their progress towards meeting local or state regulations, personal sustainability targets, and the UN’s 2030 SDGs.

It’s well known that facilities and operations which emit toxins like greenhouse gases or carbon dioxide damage the environment. These emissions can pollute air, water sources, and nearby soil, all of which can impact human health, the availability of clean drinking water, the safety of crops, and the lives of animals that rely on plants for sustenance. Tackling these common climate change impacts is a global concern, with various sectors being called on to adapt more environmentally-friendly products and operations to minimize emissions, waste, and pollution.  

With its ability to transfer data over various networks, IoT can reveal previously unseen data to businesses, allowing further insights into their operations. For example, businesses can use IoT to manage renewable energy production, such as solar, wind, or hydro power. Normally, these facilities require human intervention to operate daily, but IoT systems can monitor energy usage, as well as unveiling how much energy production is lost due to dirt or dust build-up on solar panels, for example.
 

Supply grids 

One way the IoT can achieve this level of autonomy is through using supply grids — supply networks for electricity, which are able to be controlled remotely. Supply grids allow companies to accelerate renewable energy opportunities, with live consumption monitoring. Suppliers can therefore generate enough power to meet demand, rather than overproducing energy, which can lead to excessive cost, resource use, and material waste.
 

Smart meters 

Another example of using the IoT is smart meters, which are commonly used in domestic households for families to track their energy consumption, and consequent spending, per day. Smart meters offer real-time consumption data to both energy suppliers and end consumers, allowing suppliers to forecast usage and adapt their utility costs accordingly, and offering customers better control over how much they use and pay. Similar to the IoT use in renewable energy production, these insights can enhance sustainable energy efficiency by allowing businesses to better control demand. In the case of huge power plants, businesses can reduce their usage during off-peak times, and limit emissions as a result.  

Controlling energy consumption and production can mitigate the harmful emissions which are often released in the generation of power. Obtaining further understanding and control over renewable energy means businesses may feel more confident in investing in sustainable energy options. 

Benefits of leveraging technology for environmental protection

There are many benefits to using advanced technological tools to help businesses change their products and processes to be more sustainable. Here are a few use cases: 

• Tools which gather real-time data and offer insights create a more efficient business —saving time, energy, money, and resources 

• Having the knowledge is half the fight — businesses can utilize these newfound trends and patterns to target problem areas within the company’s facilities and operations 

• Technology can aid in devising and implementing more innovative solutions to common environmental challenges, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions by managing raw material use 

• Tracking energy use and material use, in line with consumer demand, can help to reduce waste

The relationship between technology and sustainability

Being attentive to the impacts of everyday operations on the environment is crucial for fostering a more sustainable business. Employing the right technology can aid in speeding up this goal by allowing businesses to meet compliance.  

Read more about how other technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) can support a more sustainable future.