Sustainability in Manufacturing - 10 Tips for Lowering Your Carbon Footprint in 2024

Many manufacturers worldwide have adopted sustainable practices. A shift is happening from energy-intensive practices to efficient systems, renewable power sources, and waste management strategies that ensure businesses are on the path to a more sustainable future.

Reducing emissions is possible for most businesses. At BMO, our ambition is to be our clients’ lead partner in the transition to a net-zero world. That is why we support manufacturers to find the right knowledge, training, and tools to reduce their carbon footprint.

Below are 10 practical strategies for manufacturers to cut carbon emissions and enhance efficiency. We'll explore why this is so critical now, share actionable steps your business can implement, and showcase technologies setting the pace.

Understanding your emissions is no longer a “nice-to-have" in business – it is now an expectation. Reducing emissions can create numerous benefits for businesses beyond environmental impact, such as cost savings, improved reputation, and increased customer loyalty.

Before creating and implementing a strategy to reduce emissions, it is crucial for businesses to know how their emissions impact various aspects of their operations.

• 

  The environmental impact:
  Manufacturing operations can release greenhouse gases, contributing to climate shifts such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and ecosystem disruption. Reducing carbon emissions is crucial to mitigate and prevent climate change impacts, and manufacturers can help slow these changes by cutting their carbon footprint.

• 

  Economic benefits:
  Taking a sustainable approach benefits not only the planet but also businesses and their stakeholders. Customers, employees, and investors are increasingly interested in corporate sustainability plans and ensuring operations happen in an environmentally responsible manner. Energy-efficient processes can help reduce operating costs, and offering sustainable products can attract and maintain eco-conscious customers.

• 

  Regulatory compliance:
  Companies that embrace sustainability and act towards reducing their carbon footprint are more likely to be well-positioned for success in the future. Manufacturers can prepare for future government requirements now by measuring and reducing their carbon footprint.

Energy efficiency is the practice of using less energy to achieve the same output or result. Increasing energy efficiency is a top priority for companies today, as it helps reduce carbon emissions and can yield significant cost savings.

Initiatives such as installing motion sensors to control lighting and HVAC systems, replacing incandescent bulbs with LED lighting, and upgrading old equipment to more energy-efficient models can reduce energy consumption across operations.

Continuous technological innovations can be a very beneficial strategy for manufacturing businesses to reduce carbon emissions. By embracing technology and continuously innovating, manufacturers can develop and implement more sustainable or energy-efficient processes. This includes using smart systems, renewable energy integration, 3D printing, and robotics.

To significantly reduce carbon footprints, it is important to implement changes at every level, ranging from daily operations to long-term strategic decision-making processes.

Achieving sustainability goals should not be perceived as one giant leap but rather a series of many small steps taken consistently over time. These steps can include simple measures, such as replacing lightbulbs or educating employees and larger initiatives, such as transitioning your fleet to electric vehicles.

By shifting or supplementing with renewable energy sources like solar or wind power, businesses can reduce their carbon emissions.

Understanding your company's current energy consumption patterns and identifying areas where you could switch to renewables without disrupting operations is one of the first steps toward adopting renewable energy sources.

Installing a rooftop solar system can create electrical power for regular activities. If geographical conditions permit, wind turbines can also be an option, and companies located near bodies of water might leverage hydroelectric power.

Implementing ways to dispose of materials sustainably and reusing materials wherever possible can help reduce carbon emissions in the manufacturing sector. Implementing circular economy strategies allows for continuous reuse of resources while minimizing environmental impact.

This includes designing products for circularity, implementing closed-loop supply chains, using product-as-a-service business models, and remanufacturing. By adopting circular approaches, manufacturers can reduce waste, increase resource efficiency, and promote sustainability while providing benefits such as reduced costs and improved brand reputation.

Carbon capture technologies have become increasingly popular as more businesses aim to reduce their carbon footprint. These technologies capture carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes, such as cement production or power generation, before the emissions get released into the atmosphere. Once captured, the carbon dioxide can be stored underground for permanent storage or used in other processes.

Carbon capture technologies can help reduce the emissions released into the atmosphere during manufacturing processes, which can help combat climate change and support businesses in meeting regulatory compliance.

Manufacturing businesses can look towards their supply chain to find ways to reduce their carbon footprint. It is an effective method that integrates environmental thinking into the core system of product creation and distribution.

The first step is to start using less carbon-intensive materials and processes. This could involve sourcing raw materials from suppliers committed to sustainability, selecting local suppliers, or adopting cleaner production techniques.

The second step requires rethinking how products are packaged and delivered. Choosing packaging made from recycled materials or reducing the amount of packaging can lower emissions associated with the production and transportation of the product.

Manufacturing companies can make a big difference by involving their employees in sustainability initiatives. Training initiatives that show your businesses how to implement more sustainable practices can lower carbon output and cultivate a more environmentally aware workplace.

How do you get your team involved?

• 

  Communicate clearly to your team why reducing the business’s carbon footprint is necessary.
  

• 

  Offer practical training sessions that equip employees with the knowledge and tools they need to make more sustainable choices at work.
  

• 

  Acknowledge and reward sustainability efforts in the workplace. These recognitions can boost motivation and bring more awareness across your organization.

Setting sustainability targets is an important step towards ensuring that your organization is making a positive impact on the environment. However, tracking your progress towards meeting these targets is equally important. This is where tools like BMO’s Climate Smart can come in handy. These tools can help manufacturers monitor progress and identify areas to make changes to stay on track. By regularly monitoring and reporting on performance, manufacturers can demonstrate their commitment to reducing emissions and make informed decisions about how to achieve their goals.

If you are a manufacturing business leader looking to build a sustainable future and mitigate climate risks, assessing and measuring your carbon footprint is essential. BMO's Climate Smart Program offers a comprehensive approach to carbon reporting and reduction planning, giving you the confidence to measure, track, and report your organization’s carbon footprint.

Climate Smart can help businesses meet regulatory requirements, mitigate climate risks, and identify hotspots across operations. As the focus on sustainability grows and the need to reduce emissions increases, programs like Climate Smart provide businesses with a pathway forward.

We know that reducing emissions can be complex, which is why our Climate Smart advisors work with your business to develop strategies that prioritize feasibility, cut operating costs, and make a tangible impact on your company’s unique sustainability initiatives.