On August 8 , 2016 , viewers around the world watched as swimmer Ryan Murphy of the U . S ., weightlifter Sukanya Srisurat of Thailand , and marksman Niccolo Campriani of Italy set Olympic records during the Games in Rio . While millions saw the competitions , most didn ’ t notice another , more significant record that was set that day . According to the Global Footprint Network , August 8 represented this year ’ s Earth Overshoot Day — the day on the calendar when humankind has used all the renewable natural resources that the planet can replenish in a whole year . What ’ s even more disturbing is that this year ’ s milestone occurred four months earlier than it did three decades ago in 1981 .
The Global Footprint Network has calculated that today it would take the natural resources of 1.6 Earths to sustain all the demands of humankind , and that carbon emissions account for 60 percent of humanity ’ s demands on nature . And the problem is expected to increase , as the UN estimates the world ’ s population to surge from 7.3 billion to 11.2 billion by 2100 . These statistics highlight why governments and companies like HP are committed to taking action to lower greenhouse gas emissions in support of the UN ’ s climate agreement signed in Paris in December 2015 .
HP has long recognized the need to analyze the impact that our company , and the products and solutions we build , have on the planet — and work to reduce that impact . All while creating solutions that make the world more sustainable . Our sustainability strategy integrates the environment , society , and integrity into what we do and deliver every day .
• Conducting business and engineering solutions to the highest ethical principles , such as adhering to strict , industry-leading standards that protect workers throughout our supply chain .
• Carefully choosing the materials we use
10 Innovation Journal · Issue 4 · Fall 2016 in our products as well as those we don ’ t .
• Developing solutions that perform efficiently and effectively throughout their entire lifecycle .
• Creating solutions that empower people around the world to do amazing things that make life better for everyone , everywhere .
This work is core to HP ’ s business strategy and contributes directly to our customers ’ success . As HP President and CEO Dion Weisler has stated , “ We believe sustainability is a powerful force for growth and innovation ,
“ At HP , sustainability serves as a guiding principle for how we conduct business and create solutions that are changing the world .”
in the world and at HP . It guides how we do business and drives the way our products are designed , made , used , and regenerated . And it is a focal point as we reinvent our business
HP ’ s focus on sustainability
Environment Improving the environmental performance of our customers , operations and supply chain
models and operations toward a materials and energy-efficient circular economy .”
And people have taken notice . Most recently , HP ranked number 17 on Gartner ’ s 2016 Supply Chain Top 25 list , and HP gained a perfect 10 for our corporate social responsibility efforts .
Designing for the environment
— Dion Weisler , President and CEO , HP
Society Strengthening our communities and enabling the sustainable development of society
HP ’ s focus on sustainable design practices is not new . In fact , our Design for the
Environment program , founded in 1992 , has defined how we develop products that use less energy , require less resources to make and use , and are more easily reused and recycled .
What has changed are the demographics , buying habits , and sustainability attitudes of the people who purchase products for themselves and the businesses and governments they work for . For example , the number of technology consumers in the world is quickly accelerating , with approximately 3 billion new consumers expected by 2030 . A younger generation of buyers recognize the environmental , health , and social implications of “ throw away ” societies that view products as disposable . And people worldwide are embracing the sharing economy business model represented by companies like Uber and Lyft .
To address these shifts , companies such as HP must change the very nature of how they design , manufacture , service , recycle , and reuse products . HP is building on its legacy of sustainable design by moving from the traditional linear manufacturing model of “ take , make , dispose ” to the more sustainable “ make ,
Integrity Acting with integrity and respect for human rights around the world use , return ” model of a circular economy . This strategy places customers at the center of everything we do and focuses our personnel on finding ways to keep products and materials in use for as long as possible , at the highest state of value .
Innovating using our core capabilities
For many people , recycling is the simplest circular economy concept to understand . The notion that everyday products , such as soda bottles , can be collected , recycled , and turned into new bottles is pretty straightforward . But