@Green November/December 2021 | Page 7

November-December , 2021 | @ green

FOREIGN NEWS

07

UPL commits against climate change

Systems that sustain human existence are approaching tipping points

UPL Ltd . ( UPL ) has declared its participation in The Climate Pledge (‘ TCP ’). UPL is the first signatory from the agricultural inputs , solutions , and technology industry to join the Pledge .

Amazon and Global Optimism co-founded the Climate Pledge in 2019 to reach nett-zero emissions by 2040 and meet the Paris Agreement 10 years earlier . The Climate Pledge has over 200 members from 26 industries and 21 countries as of September 2021 .
UPL is a worldwide provider of sustainable agricultural goods and solutions , reinventing sustainability through OpenAg and feeding sustainable growth for all - no boundaries , no restrictions .
With farmers at the centre , UPL is constructing a network that is redefining how the whole industry thinks and works – one that is open to new ideas and solutions as UPL seeks to make every food production
SCHNEIDER Electric , a global pioneer in the digital transformation of energy management and automation , recently announced that its Smart Factory in Lexington , Kentucky , had been named a Sustainability Lighthouse by the World Economic Forum ( WEF ), one of only three in the world .
Lexington Smart Factory has recognised the potential of Fourth Industrial Revolution ( 4IR ) technologies in manufacturing while also adopting environmental stewardship pledges , ushering in a cleaner , more sustainable future .
By merging IoT connectivity with power meters and predictive analytics to reduce energy costs , the US Department of Energy certified the project as Platinum Superior Energy Performance 50001 .
It resulted in a 26 per cent reduction in energy ( GWh ), 30 per cent reduction in nett CO2 and 20 per cent reduction in water use .
“ Our Lexington Smart Factory is an example to manufacturing facilities around the country that sustainability needs to be part of their operational model . Smart , connected technologies can drive efficiency , profitability and sustainability together ,” said Kenneth Engel , Senior Vice President , Global Supply Chain , North America , Schneider Electric .
Lexington will revamp its endto-end value chain in 2022 using Schneider Electric ’ s 4IR-based
more sustainable .
Jai Shroff , Global CEO of UPL Ltd ., has stated UPL believed that global agriculture had a significant role yet nourished nationwide with plentiful food . It would now sustain us through a transformative role in combating climate change .
“ Achieving this will rely on reimagining sustainability through the power of partnerships , and by joining The Climate Pledge we are reinforcing our commitment to collaboration , to sustainability , and leadership in our industry . We are excited to join a community that will share knowledge , ideas , and best practices .”
According to the IPCC ’ s most recent report , the systems that sustain human existence are approaching tipping points , and the window of opportunity to act decisively is passing .
“ This wake-up call from science must be faced with courage and conviction ,” urged Christiana Figueres , the UN ’ s former climate chief and now a founding partner of
Global Optimism .
Joining TCP reflects UPL ’ s broader commitment to reinvent sustainability and redefine agriculture ’ s position as a constructive contribution to solving the problems posed by climate change , food security , biodiversity loss , and water shortages .
UPL has decreased its carbon emissions by 26 per cent during the previous five years and has set a goal of reducing carbon emissions by another 25 per cent by 2025 .

Schneider Electric Lexington Smart Factory named a Sustainability Lighthouse

Kenneth Engel
EcoStruxure technology .
Companies are employing cutting-edge digital solutions such as automated supply chain management , 5G assisted flexible production , augmented reality , and digital twins to increase flexibility , efficiency , time to market , and sustainability .
WEF launched the Global Lighthouse Network project in 2018 in cooperation with McKinsey &
Jai Shroff
Company to identify manufacturers that are driving 4IR growth further illustrate how digital operations boost productivity and efficiency , allowing for long-term growth in the face of widespread shocks and challenges .
This project , which is part of the company ’ s Tailored Sustainable Connected Supply Chain 4.0 programme , attempts to solve the core issue of sustainability while boosting profitability and efficiency .
Schneider Electric ’ s worldwide smart factory and distribution centre effort is part of the company ’ s vision that electrification and digitalisation are inextricably linked in the battle against climate change .
This resulted in the company being recognised as the world ’ s most sustainable organisation by Corporate Knights in 2021 and placing fourth in the Gartner Supply Chain Top 25 for 2021 .

Mastercard launches Global Sustainability Innovation Lab

THE MASTERCARD Global Sustainability Innovation Lab has opened its door to spearhead the development of environmentally aware digital products and solutions .
As the global economy quickly digitises , the Lab will focus on enabling businesses and consumers to alter how they produce , distribute , and acquire products and services , guaranteeing that both people and the earth can prosper .
Mastercard chose Stockholm , Sweden , as the location for the worldwide Lab since it has long been at the forefront of sustainable innovation , with strong consumer , political , and commercial commitment to transitioning to a green economy in support of the EU Green Deal .
“ As we continue to build a more sustainable digital economy , the Sustainability Innovation Lab will enable us to co-create a robust portfolio of environmentally friendly solutions , uniting everyone – businesses and consumers alike – in climate action ,” stated Kristina Kloberdanz ( Pix ), Chief Sustainability Officer , Mastercard .
Recognising that consumption must shift to a more sustainable paradigm to meet global carbon reduction targets , Mastercard is reimagining the future of commerce by collaborating on digital solutions . It will empower businesses , governments , and billions of consumers across its network to help preserve the environment .
The Lab would focus on solutions that enable sustainable spending and increase visibility and traceability across value chains for producing products that benefit both people and the environment .
It further analyses how technologies such as 5G , quantum , and advanced AI may be used to address environmental issues , building on Mastercard ’ s experience in impact-driven innovation in areas such as financial inclusion .
It would include an R & D Center focused on solutions for sustainable consumption and value chains , a “ Labs as a Service ” platform that will bring together partners and customers to co-create sustainable shared-value solutions , and a Mastercard Experience Center for hands-on product demos and in-person engagement .
Mastercard recently joined the 1.5 ° C Supply Chain Leaders project to address emissions throughout its network of suppliers to further drive collective climate action as part of its commitment to attaining nett-zero emissions by 2050 .
In addition , the company has brought together more than 65 partners from around the world as part of the Priceless Planet Coalition , which seeks to restore 100 million trees . — @ Green