Around 12 million hectares of tropical forest worldwide were lost in 2018, equivalent to 30 football fields per minute. The Amazon alone has lost approximately 17% of its size over the last 50 years, and rates of deforestation have been rising since 2012. The Amazon now absorbs around a third less carbon than it did a decade ago.
The development of the global economy and the subsequent growth of consumption has put significant pressure on natural resources provided by Planet Earth. The Global Resources Outlook shows that we are ploughing through this planet’s finite resources as if there is no tomorrow, causing climate change and biodiversity loss at a rapid pace. Its 2019 outlook highlights that by 2060, global material use could double to 190 billion tonnes (from 92 billion), while greenhouse gas emissions could increase by 43 per cent. Every individual has to be more responsible when it comes to daily usage of resources to reduce the environmental impact and give a sustainable future for the next generations.
Need for Accountability
To achieve long-term sustainability, businesses need to approach the environment, climate, economy and society as inseparable parts of the same entity. To avert negative impact on climate, the manufacturing industry, in particular, must commit to delivering energy efficiency and decarbonisation.
Saving energy has to be looked at as an indispensable habit. Responsible manufacturing with the philosophy to reduce, recycle and reuse should be an integral part of production systems. Commitment to sustainability sparks innovation and encourages continuous improvement to achieve maximum efficiency. The auto industry has been evolving significantly in their green initiatives using sustainable materials, optimising the efficiency of equipment, minimising waste, effective recycling and scrappage regime, replacing conventional production methods with smart manufacturing technology and switching to alternative energy/renewable energy.
In India, auto manufacturers realise substantial financial and environmental benefits from sustainable business practices. They are focusing on manufacturing products through economically-sound processes that minimise negative environmental impacts while improving energy security and cutting emissions.
New Approach and Measurements
Responsible manufacturing is prompting companies to implement new design and analysis procedures, energy reduction methods, material reduction efforts, and improved materials handling practices. Thus, minimising environmental impact has become an elementary requirement throughout the product life cycle in the automotive industry. To foster sustainable practices, a measurement methodology to check on energy and environmental cost at each stage in that lifecycle will be beneficial. The information must be available at the early design stage about the final costs of each design decision for a new product, and at the end of the product, life to analyse the overall impact on the environment.
Technology, a key factor
Technology has indeed changed the face of the manufacturing sector, and it continues to evolve. Artificial intelligence, wearables, the Internet of Things, automation, and advanced & predictive data analysis tools have changed the way the shop floor functions. What used to be conventional, ‘assembly line’ roles once, are today filled by robots, to enhance overall operational efficiency. While technological advancements enable process and product development, to realise sustainable development, timely upgradation of technology is also vital for continued convergence with sustainability. Hence, auto manufacturers are adopting and looking at best available technologies in reducing waste generation through its streamlined manufacturing process and effective recycling and energy-saving initiatives.
Company’s Perspective
At TVS Motor Company, commitment to sustainability goes beyond our products. The focus has been to reduce, recycle and reuse across production system, logistics and supply chain to eliminate emissions and be energy efficient across the manufacturing process.
The company has been proactive in reducing the packaging material consumption by instituting several practices to minimise consumption. In process design, there are steps to minimise the generation of waste by the introduction of clean technologies. Using IT & IoT technologies, ambient air quality, ambient VOC (volatile organic compounds) and stationary emissions are monitored through online systems. In the product design stage, efforts have been made to increase product Reusability, Recyclability and Recoverability [RRR] rate and is more than 94% currently. Additionally, as a part of green manufacturing, the company extensively uses LED lights throughout the plant, solar power is used for Paint Plant and kitchens.
TVS Motor’s efforts towards reduction of carbon footprint started in 2013 with reduction of emission as the first step, followed by incorporation of renewable energy (wind and solar) towards ideal state image of RE 100. These initiatives of renewable energy resulted in a CO2 emission reduction of about 60,000 tons during 2019-20. In 2019-20, renewable energy contributed to 76% (69% wind and 7% solar) of overall TVSM power consumption. Additionally, they have augmented the 5.1 MW rooftop solar photovoltaic [PV] capacity with an additional capacity of 0.8 MW & wind power by the addition of 3.7 MW during 2019 -20. This helped in increasing the overall solar energy contribution from 5 to 7% & wind power share from 55% to 69% of the total energy consumption.
Way-Forward
Embracing sustainable and green principles is no more a trend as we are on the brink of an irreversible change and the time for action is now. Hence, it is essential that policymakers, research organisations, environmental experts and other corporate leaders, come together as one voice for Saving the Planet. Manufacturers need to be more accountable in their approach and process towards a sustainable environment.