Companies highlight integrated approaches as the new frontier for industrial decarbonization
Dubai – WEBWIRE – Wednesday, November 29, 2023
In anew business briefpublished today by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)Switch project, companies ABB, Accenture, Eaton and Schneider Electric, together with the BASE Foundation, Climate Group, Global Sustainable Electricity Partnership (GSEP) and Integrate to Zero explain how integrating decarbonization solutions presents a fast lane to net zero operations.
The technology behind decarbonization ismaturing quickly and becoming increasingly competitiveamid fossil fuel price volatility.Half of the worlds largest companies have set public net-zero emissions goals, with commitments up by more than 40% since 2022.
As shown in the brief published today, when businesses bundle and integrate decarbonization solutions, they unlock synergies and larger environmental and financial benefits, charting a faster course to ambitious renewable goals. Integrated approaches canreduce operational emissions by up to 50%, secure energy supply and optimize returns on capital investment and the risk profile of technology adoption.
Integrated decarbonization will require equally integrated business decarbonization strategies, aligning investment decisions with environmental targets and new revenue models, and coordinated policies to link building and transport technologies with the grid.
Government and business leaders will convene for COP 28 in a few days to determine the next urgent steps on the global race to net zero. They must recognize integrated approaches as a cornerstone of global decarbonization efforts, particularly in critical discussions on investment and policy frameworks needed totriple the capacity of renewable energy sources and double energy efficiency by 2030.
Anke Hampel, Group Head of Sustainability, ABB, said: Ahead of COP 28, it is important to remember that the solutions and technology that can get us to net-zero are within reach for businesses. We call on businesses and governments to approach sustainability holistically and review financing and governance models that can accelerate the implementation of sustainability roadmaps.
Companies need to switch to net-zero operations to deliver on ambitious net-zero targets. An integrated net-zero pathway will help industrial leaders get there faster and roll out decarbonization strategies at scale. We stand with our Switch partners to help companies in accelerating global decarbonization efforts, and we will continue to do so through state-of-the-art carbon modeling incl. an integrated carbon modeling tool and holistic net-zero strategies, saidWytse Kaastra,LeadAccentureSustainability Services Europe and Utilities sector lead Europe.
With our partners in the WBCSD Switch project, we invite business leaders from around the world to reduce their carbon emissions and energy costs by focusing on demand-side flexibility, energy resilience, and self-sufficiency to transform their buildings and facilities into integrated energy hubs, highlightedTim Darkes, President, Corporate and Electrical Sector EMEA, Eaton.
Vanessa Miler-Fels, VP Global Environment, Schneider Electric, said: Business leaders have a clear, practical path to decarbonization: digital and electrification. But bold steps are needed to make this a reality, starting with embedding sustainability in all operations and preparing grids as the essential backbone to the energy transition.
Integrated energy is the next frontier of corporate decarbonization. Combining on-site, on-grid, and on-road solutions will reduce emissions and save money. It also provides companies energy security as theyd be far less impacted by the volatile fossil fuel markets, it builds business resilience, and opens up the potential for future revenue streams. Climate Group supports WBCSD in scoping out the corporate demand for these innovations and accelerate action in this crucial area. commentedHelen Clarkson, CEO, Climate Group.
Vincent-Michel Duval, Executive Director, GSEP,said: The electrified, zero-carbon technologies needed to rapidly decarbonize not only exist, but they are mature and scalable. Adopting an integrated approach can go a long way in catalyzing the swift decarbonization needed to achieve climate targets and unlock further benefits for businesses and society, ranging from improved efficiency to energy security. GSEP is delighted to have contributed our unique perspective on the importance of electrified solutions to this initiative.
[p”Integrating distributed renewable energy resources on-site, on-road, on-grid creates a larger, cleaner more resilient power system, quickly, at lower cost to utilities and with huge business benefits. saidDan Hamza-Goodacre, Founder and Chief Energy Officer, Integrate to Zero.[/p]Thomas Deloison, Director, Mobility, WBCSD, said: Business leaders must seize the integrated decarbonization opportunity not only to play their part in the global race to net zero, but also to realize that low carbon technologies create value for society, the planet and balance sheets. We are delighted to release the result of work conducted by a unique group of like-minded businesses and partners forming the Switch project.
Businesses and partners of the WBCSD Switch project mobilize projects, build and share best practices, and advocate for the adoption of integrated approaches in leading events. For more information, consult our website or contact Thomas Deloison, WBCSD atdeloison@wbcsd.org.
In order to popularise and create awareness about the benefit of Fortified Rice specially in Tribal Areas of the country, the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) is coordinating with Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Telangana Rajasthan, Kerala to organize workshops and seminars in the sensitive areas of tribal belts and districts that have population that are vulnerable to Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia.
So far, workshops/seminars have been organised in 5 locations across 4 States namely: Valsad in Gujarat, Nandurabar and Nashik in Maharashtra, Kanker in Chhattisgarh and East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur in Jharkhand.
The experts discussed the importance of Fortification and how it will boost nutritional requirements of the people of the country. In Nashik, Asst. Prof. (Dr) Hemangini Gandhi, MS University Vadodara. After that, Dr. Renuka Mainde, Convener NetProFan- Nagpur Chapter & Corporate Nutritionist made a presentation on fortified rice, its positive impact on public health and its linkages with Haemoglobinopathies.
Shri Vivek Shukla while summing up the discussions, laid emphasis on providing correct information to beneficiaries so that apprehensions can be allayed in time. The workshop was also covered by the local Media and was well attended by FPS dealers, especially dealers hailing from tribal areas of Nashik
In Nandurbar district, a presentation was made by Prof. (Dr.) Sirimavo Nair, Nodal Officer, Gujarat (NFSA Concurrent Evaluation D/o Food & PD-Govt. of India) made a presentation on fortified staples and its positive impact on public health. Presentations were also made by Dr Naresh Tayade, Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Memorial Medical College, Amravati and Dr Narayan Bawa, Health officer, District Hospital, Nandurbar, Maharashtra on benefits of fortified rice and its linkages with Haemoglobinopathies. The presentations were followed by a Panel discussion and Q&A session by technical experts and officials from FCI and D/o Food & PD.
Fortification is the process of adding Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK), containing FSSAI prescribed micronutrients (Iron, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12) to normal Rice (Custom Milled Rice) in the ratio of 1:100 (Mixing 1 Kg of FRK with 100 Kg custom milled rice).
Fortified rice is nearly identical to traditional rice in aroma, taste, and texture. This process is done in the rice mills at the time of milling of rice.
Rice fortification ecosystem has been enhanced significantly on boarding rice millers, FRK manufacturers, industries and other stakeholders for production and supply of fortified rice to meet the target requirement. There are more than 9000 rice mills in the country which have installed blending infrastructure for production of fortified rice and their cumulative monthly production capacity is around 60 LMT which is increased by more than 4 times since last year.
Fortification of rice is found to be a cost-effective and complementary strategy to increase vitamin and mineral content in diets with low turnaround time (TAT) and a step towards nutritional security and helps in fighting anaemia and malnutrition in the country. This strategy is implemented in many geographies in the world.
*****
AD/NS
Experts highlight positive impact of Fortified Rice on public health at IEC campaigns in 5 locations across 4 States: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand
(Release ID: 1859880)
Visitor Counter : 592