5 Concrete Solutions to Help Industrial Companies Reduce Their Emissions

Sustainability has become a critical priority for the industrial sector. With increasingly stringent regulations, growing customer expectations, and the urgent need to combat climate change, companies are seeking ways to reduce their carbon emissions. However, for many, this journey may seem complex and daunting.

The good news: there are strategic solutions that can lead to significant progress. Here are five concrete actions industrial companies can adopt to reduce emissions.

You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Tracking your emissions is a key step to identifying your levers for action:

• Use tracking tools like Greenly: These solutions enable you to monitor your greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• Set clear and ambitious goals: For instance, aim to reduce emissions by 15% within three years, or by 50% by 2030.
• Build optimized reduction strategies: Prioritize actions based on their cost and impact.

📊 KPI: Emissions in tons of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) per product or production line.

Your supply chain represents a significant portion of your carbon footprint:

• Work with certified suppliers: Seek partners with ambitious reduction targets and established decarbonization strategies.
• Choose low-carbon materials: For example, prioritize recycled plastics or steel produced with renewable energy.
• Negotiate common goals: Involve your suppliers in initiatives like reducing emissions from transportation.

📊 KPI: Emission reductions across the supply chain (tCO2e) or share of sustainable materials (%).

Eco-design focuses on integrating environmental considerations from the very beginning of your product’s design process, thus reducing its impact throughout its life cycle.

• Calculate the carbon footprint of your products: Assess the CO₂ emissions generated at each stage. This analysis will help you identify the most polluting phases and target potential improvements.
• Simulate the impact of production alternatives: Test different material options, manufacturing processes, or transportation methods to identify those that most effectively reduce emissions. For example, using recycled materials or implementing energy-efficient processes can significantly lower the carbon footprint.
• Highlight emission reductions: Communicate with your customers and partners about the environmental improvements in your products.

📊 KPI: Reduction in carbon footprint per product (%) or the number of eco-designed products launched.

Industrial plants consume vast amounts of energy, but targeted adjustments can make a significant difference:

• Upgrade your equipment: Newer machines can significantly reduce energy consumption compared to outdated equipment.
• Electrify your equipment: Take advantage of low-carbon electricity, such as France’s electricity mix, or install renewable energy systems on-site.
• Monitor in real-time: Install smart sensors (IoT) to detect waste and optimize machine use.

📊 KPI: Energy consumption reduction (%) or percentage of equipment electrified.

Your employees are your best allies in achieving sustainability goals:

• Train them: Organize workshops to ensure everyone understands the company’s emission sources and reduction strategies.
• Collaborate with everyone: Operational teams can propose innovative initiatives tailored to your plant.
• Reward sustainable behaviors: Offer bonuses or benefits to encourage individuals to adopt best practices.

📊 KPI: Employee participation rate in sustainability initiatives or the number of green projects deployed.

Schedule a consultation with Greenly and discover how to achieve your sustainability goals today.