The world today is rapidly changing, and governments, businesses, and civil society are calling for action on climate challenges, such as tackling global warming, cutting carbon emissions, and strengthening food and water security. As such, the convergence of sustainability and technology is evident, and industrial automation stands out as a promising solution for sustainability.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has reported substantial advancements in sustainability via digital solutions, achieving emission reductions on a large scale of up to 20 percent, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors.
Despite accounting for about 30 percent of worldwide CO2 emissions, the industrial sector has seen only 26 percent of its companies successfully implement digital technologies at a significant scale.
As the UAE makes significant headway towards hosting a “COP of Solidarity and Action”, we are seeing smart solutions at the fore and industrial automation stands out as a promising technology in this landscape. The region, known for its vast energy resources, now faces the dual challenges of diversifying its energy mix and reducing its carbon footprint. This is where industrial automation, with its promise of efficiency and innovation, comes into play, and the UAE is at the forefront of this movement.
During my time in the Gulf region, I have witnessed the profound impact of industrial automation on the journey towards environmental conservation. However, it is also essential to acknowledge the valid concerns surrounding industrial automation. With the advent of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, there is evident apprehension among workers untrained in these areas. Additionally, there are concerns over less affluent economies that lack the necessary resources to empower their workforce with the required skills and training. Balancing the potential benefits of automation with the needs of workers and developing economies is a crucial challenge we must address through this period of technological transformation.
With the existing supply chain challenges, manufacturing and automation has evolved as a force to be welcomed and embraced. Industrial automation can reduce the industry’s adverse impact on the environment and improve productivity by leveraging smart technologies to optimise production processes, reduce waste and ensure resource efficiency. At Schneider Electric, our commitment to industrial automation is not just about enhancing operational efficiency but is deeply rooted in our dedication to sustainability.
The United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28, in which Schneider Electric will be participating, will be held in Dubai from 30th November to 12th December. As a signatory of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment’s Climate Responsible Companies Pledge, we are committed to reducing carbon emissions through the adoption of more sustainable practices, and we will work in the spirit of collaboration and cooperation to empower the public and private sectors in the UAE to mitigate carbon emissions by 40 per cent by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050, in line with the nationwide pledge.
Given that industries are responsible for a significant amount of carbon emissions and that about 55 percent of industrial energy waste comes from heavy industries, these industries can significantly benefit from adopting digitisation and automation.
The UAE’s industrial sector is on the cusp of significant growth, positioning itself as a key player regionally and globally. In the coming decade, the nation’s industrial landscape is shaped by visionary initiatives like ‘Make it in the Emirates’ and Operation 300bn, spearheaded by the UAE leadership. Committed to realising this vision, the UAE aims to elevate the industrial sector’s contribution to the national GDP from $36.21 billion (AED 133 billion) in 2021 to $81.7 billion (AED 300 billion) by 2031.
We support our partners and suppliers’ sustainability mission and efforts to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by 50 percent by 2025. With a dedicated decarbonisation programme, our partners gain access to training sessions, expert support, tools, and solutions they need to accelerate and deliver on their climate-positive goals. Schneider Electric operates over 50 zero-CO2 sites and will reach 150 in 2025 by capitalising on solar solutions as a source of electricity.
Embracing transformative technologies holds the promise of predictive maintenance, mitigating downtime, and harnessing real-time data analytics to propel energy efficiency to unprecedented heights. Moreover, by adopting digitisation and automation, industries can significantly reduce their energy consumption.
The human element is also paramount as is collaboration between the private and public sectors. As we gear up for COP28, sustainability and digitisation will go hand in hand for smoother and sustainable industrial operations. To make this happen, we’re focusing on strategic partnerships and seamless teamwork. We’re weaving sustainability and digitisation into a fabric of operational excellence, shaping a future where efficiency is the norm.
