The concept of sustainable development has been defined in many ways, but the most frequently cited definition is from Our Common Future, also known as the Brundtland Report: "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
Is sustainable development a holistic approach?
I like this word! It sounds mysterious, telling us that everything is interconnected and ultimately, it’s true! As a leader of Easy Skill, I cannot help thinking that it is essential to integrate this dimension in our missions and to help customers who so wish, to invest themselves fully in the search for durable solutions.
In other words, sustainable development is a way of meeting the needs of present and future generations without damaging or depleting the resources that we rely on. It's about finding a balance between environmental protection, economic development, and social equity.
That's exactly what I witnessed during a visit on Copenhill plant in Denmark where Easy Skill was involved with the air depollution system in support of the French company CNIM.Copenhill is a waste to energy plant but the priority was not on the energy output but on providing the most sustainable and efficient design.
How to get the most of the primary source, the combustion of waste, to get electricity, hot water for heating flats, recycled water cleaner than tap water and air filtered and cleaned! At the end, they've created an artificial ski slope on top of the plant using all the design done for the depollution system!
The workers were proud because they knew it was something bigger than a power plant. They worked on a system where a global approach has been chosen, not a functional one only. That was what we call a sustainable approach.
Being efficient is sustainable
There are many different ways to achieve sustainable development, but one of the most important things is to focus on efficiency and conservation. This means thinking about the entire lifecycle of a product or service, rather than just the operation phase. By taking a holistic approach that considers all aspects of sustainability, we can develop solutions that are not only functional, but also protect and preserve our natural resources for future generations to come.
It's also important to remember that sustainable development is not just about environmental protection. It's also about social equity and economic development. In order to be truly sustainable, we need to find a balance between all three of these pillars. Only by working together can we hope to achieve a sustainable future for all.
AI will help
Once a new asset is built, the operation phase is as important as the design for optimization. Today machine learning and AI can play a key role in reducing industries impact on the planet. By identifying patterns and trends in data, these technologies can help businesses to better understand their environmental footprint and take steps to reduce it.
For example, machine learning can be used to monitor production processes and identify areas where energy or resources are being wasted. AI can also be used to develop new products and processes that are more environmentally friendly. For example, IBM’s Watson technology is being used to develop new recycling methods that could help to reduce the amount of waste produced by the manufacturing industry.
Society is making the final customer more and more responsible for sustainable development and this is important, but the role of industry is critical. The customer may not be able to see the big picture, but the industry can. And it's the industry's responsibility to make sure that products and services are designed with sustainability in mind. This means considering everything from the sourcing of raw materials to the disposal of waste. Only by taking a holistic approach will we be able to find truly sustainable solutions.
As well as helping businesses to be more sustainable, machine learning and AI can also be used to help consumers make more environmentally friendly choices. For example, by analysing data on consumer habits, these technologies can identify opportunities for people to save energy or water. In the future, AI could even be used to develop personalised recommendations for sustainable living based on an individual’s lifestyle.
Ultimately, machine learning and AI have the potential to transform the way businesses operate and help to make industry more sustainable. As we move towards a more environmentally conscious society, these technologies will become increasingly important in reducing the impact of industry on the planet
At Easy Skill, we are committed to helping our clients achieve sustainable development. We work with them to identify areas where they can improve efficiency and conserve resources. And we help them to develop new products and processes that are more environmentally friendly. If you would like to learn more about how we can help your business to achieve sustainable development, please get in touch.
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