How can we use Technology to Create a More Sustainable Future?
Sustainability is becoming a priority across many industries, with businesses looking for ways to use technology to create a more sustainable future.
Recent technological advancements have allowed companies to establish new ways of factoring sustainability into their strategies. Alongside ethical reasons, with incentives such as government benefits, profit, reputation and talent retention, it’s easy to see why creating a sustainable future is a common goal.
Different types of technology are increasingly being used to facilitate sustainable changes, such as:
Renewable energy
There are four major sources of renewable energy in the UK – wind, solar, hydroelectric and bioenergy. The technology used in these solutions includes photovoltaics basics, which are commonly found in solar panels.
Wind turbines convert kinetic energy into rotational energy. Technologies being used to enhance to capabilities of wind turbines include smart blades, 3D printing and improved blade design.
Materials
Packaging has been at the forefront of environmental issues for a number of years. Businesses have switched to biodegradable materials instead of plastics in the hope of reducing the landfill problem and have sought to limit the amount of packaging used on products.
But new and emerging technologies have opened the door to even more creative solutions. One example is using CAD design software to create sustainable products from materials that are recycled and from renewable sources.
In alignment with these efforts, there is also an increasing demand for products like the sustainable iPad holder stand, designed with eco-friendly materials. Consumers actively search for such products to make their tech accessories environmentally friendly. But new and emerging technologies have opened the door to even more creative solutions. One example is using CAD design software to create sustainable products from materials that are recycled and from renewable sources.
Using this type of technology to design and manufacture products such as packaging and clothing also results in less waste due to the accuracy of computer-generated cuts.
IoT technology
The Internet of Things is being increasingly adopted by a wide range of industries, making their processes more efficient, connected and sustainable.
As well as helping to track ESG goals, IoT technology allows data sharing, and improved productivity and can monitor logistics in real-time. Creating a more efficient factory, office or site can also help reduce energy consumption and waste and support the optimisation of the workspace.
AI
Artificial Intelligence has the potential to transform industries and, when used creatively, could harness a variety of sustainable solutions. For example, the agricultural industry has seen huge developments which have paved the way for automated tractors and other machinery as well as robotics for crop optimisation.
AI has also enabled farmers to create optimal conditions for improved nutrients and harvesting which the natural environment might struggle to achieve.
Electric vehicles
Powered by electricity rather than fossil fuels, electric cars produce less greenhouse gases than petrol or diesel vehicles. However, to optimise sustainability, the manufacturing and running of electric vehicles should eventually be facilitated via renewable energy.
As the government invests in introducing new charging points and electric vehicles become cheaper and more efficient, an increasing number of businesses and individuals are likely to switch from conventional cars.
As newer and more advanced technologies continue to emerge, there’s no doubt that sustainable solutions will become more creative, adaptable and profitable.