DAC February 2022

n COMMENT INDUSTRY COMMITS TO A NET-ZERO FUTURE British industry seems to be on board the net-zero emissions train with a new survey revealing that almost half (48%) of UK and Irish industrial enterprises plan to be carbon-neutral within three to five years. The survey, conducted by Schneider Electric, also finds that 97% of the businesses surveyed regard reducing their carbon footprint as a priority – although just 27% feel it is their top priority. Even though 61% of the organisations quizzed believe they are on track to hit their carbon reduction targets, 72% admitted they need to act faster. A similar figure (72%) are confident they are investing enough to ensure they will achieve their carbon reduction goals. When asked about the biggest contributors to greenhouse gases within their own businesses, 39% identified their manufacturing processes, 32% said fuel combustion, and 23% put the blame on their fleet vehicles. Almost 4 in 10 reported that the Covid-19 pandemic had disrupted their plans to become more sustainable, while other barriers cited include cost (41%), failure to find a trusted sustainability partner (30%), and a lack of knowledge and expertise (29%). Perhaps not surprisingly, many industrial businesses have faith in technology being a key enabler to help them achieve sustainability, with 88% believing that digitising their operations could boost their efficiencies and cut their carbon emissions. Some cynics might say that because the survey of 850 business decision- makers from the UK and Ireland was carried out last September, the respondents may have been influenced by the blizzard of net-zero publicity in the run-up to the COP26 conference. Would they be as enthusiastic now? But there is also evidence of a commitment to net-zero at higher levels of industry as well. Make UK, the organisation that represents British manufacturers, has released the first-ever roadmap to achieving net-zero in the UK manufacturing sector. The manufacturers are committing to cut direct emissions generated by manufacturing processes, and indirect emissions from purchased energy, by 67% by the end of this decade, putting them in line with the 1.5°C Paris Agreement goal. They also believe they can achieve net-zero by 2050, as long as they have the support and help to create the right business environment. Make UK’s Manufacturing Sector Net-Zero Roadmap sets out milestones to achieving net-zero by 2050. It has developed the step-by-step plan in consultation with its members. The manufacturers have also committed to helping their suppliers and customers to achieve net-zero and cut supply-chain emissions. These are likely to constitute the bulk of the emissions for the sector and, because they are not under the businesses’direct control, they are difficult to manage. The manufacturers have also pledged to offer net-zero products in the future to help drive the reduction. Industry will need to achieve its net-zero goals at the same time as it is facing other challenges such as the rising costs of energy and materials, disrupted supply chains and post-Brexit effects. But it is important that these do not deter companies from tackling the real threat of climate change. Tony Sacks, Editor The UK’s leading exhibition for Compressed Air, Generators and Vacuum Pumps www.airtech-expo.com #AirTechExpo 5-7 APRIL 2022 HALLS 9 & 10 NEC BIRMINGHAM IN ASSOCIATION WITH: CO-LOCATED WITH: SPONSORS Talking Industry R E G I S T E R FREE TODAY