In a world where environmental awareness has become a priority, industrial companies face a major challenge: reducing their carbon footprint. This issue is of particular importance to i2S, which operates in a sector where energy consumption and the use of materials can have a significant impact on the environment. To meet this requirement, a collaborative approach with suppliers is essential.
the environmental and economic context
A company’s desire to reduce its carbon footprint is often motivated by a broader vision of its role in society. Indeed, beyond simply generating profits, companies aspire to be responsible players, committed to sustainable, environmentally-friendly business practices. This transition to a greener economy is also driven by the need to anticipate regulatory changes and stakeholder expectations.
With this in mind, attention is increasingly focused on Scope 3 carbon emissions, which encompass indirect emissions linked to supply chains. Often underestimated, scope 3 is nevertheless the most significant part of most companies’ carbon footprints. Thus, the actions taken by suppliers often have a very significant impact on a company’s environmental performance and its ability to achieve its carbon emission reduction targets.
This reality highlights the crucial importance of working with suppliers to reduce an organization’s overall carbon footprint.
eco-collaboration: how to redesign the carbon footprint of new products
To effectively reduce the carbon footprint of your business, it’s essential to intervene at the earliest stages, particularly during the design and development of a new product. This initial phase offers the most impactful levers for integrating sustainable practices.
1. Evaluation and selection of suppliers: The first step towards a sustainable supply chain is to evaluate the environmental practices of potential suppliers. By favoring partners committed to carbon footprint reduction and responsible resource management initiatives, the company can positively influence its overall operations.
2. Optimizing logistics: Reducing the distances covered by raw materials and finished products helps minimize the carbon footprint associated with transport. By working with local suppliers and optimizing delivery routes, companies can significantly reduce their environmental impact.
3. Eco-design: Encouraging the use of recycled, renewable and low-carbon materials in the manufacture of imaging systems can have a considerable impact on their ecological footprint. Companies can work closely with their suppliers to identify and integrate these environmentally-friendly alternatives into their production processes. These initiatives are widely supported at regional level in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and nationally by Adème. It should be emphasized that this design phase is often a source of innovation, both within the company and among its suppliers. It calls into question established habits, stimulating the search for new levers.
4. Promoting energy efficiency: Working with suppliers to adopt energy-efficient technologies and practices can help reduce energy consumption throughout the supply chain. This includes using more energy-efficient machinery, optimizing production processes and implementing energy management measures.
joining forces with suppliers to reduce the carbon footprint of existing products
To reduce the carbon footprint of existing products, a structured, methodical approach is essential. First of all, it’s crucial to carry out a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to identify the most polluting phases in a product’s life, from raw material consumption to end-of-life management. This analysis will highlight the main sources of carbon emissions throughout the supply chain. By focusing on these critical aspects, companies can specifically target the sub-assemblies and suppliers that contribute most to the product’s carbon footprint.
Close collaboration with suppliers then becomes crucial. Companies need to engage in discussions with their partners to understand their commitments to reducing their own carbon footprint, and encourage them to adopt more sustainable practices.
This can involve adopting more efficient technologies, implementing sustainable manufacturing practices and seeking out renewable energy sources. What’s more, by encouraging suppliers to adopt waste management and recycling practices, companies can extend the useful life of their products and reduce their overall environmental impact.
This collaborative relationship is not limited to a simple exchange of information, but requires regular monitoring to assess the evolution of suppliers’ environmental impact on the product. By establishing ongoing dialogue and monitoring mechanisms, companies can gradually work towards reducing the overall carbon footprint of their existing products.
towards a sustainable future
Reducing the carbon footprint of the imaging systems industry can only be achieved through close collaboration with suppliers. By promoting sustainable practices throughout the supply chain, companies can not only contribute to preserving the environment, but also strengthen their competitiveness and long-term viability. Ultimately, this approach benefits the planet, companies and society as a whole.