Sustainable development has universally become a top priority, and transitioning to a net-zero world is a major challenge. Net-zero means cutting greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible, and a growing coalition of countries led by the United Nations has set far-reaching targets that cover about 76% of global emissions.
That includes China, and its "dual carbon" goal to see its national CO2 emissions peak before 2030 and then achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. In the security industry, quick and decisive action is needed to ensure that the industry does its best toward meeting climate targets and creating a more sustainable future.
Initiatives
To achieve this end, security industry players are taking several new initiatives that can make a positive difference and two key trends have emerged.
First, companies are striving to develop more sustainable products, made of more durable materials, minimising the need for replacement or repair, and more energy efficient. Second, they are paying more attention to making manufacturing processes as sustainable as possible in terms of energy consumption and materials used.
AI, IoT, and sustainable manufacturing
Advancements in AI, IoT, and big data have led to a more advanced and intelligent society
The good news is that technological advancements are equipping manufacturers with more sustainable products and processes than ever. In particular, advancements in AI (artificial intelligence), the Internet of things (IoT), and big data have led to a more advanced and intelligent society, as well as more sustainable manufacturing processes and products.
The following sections outline in more detail the two major trends, production and processes emerging in the security industry to enhance sustainability.
1) Green Production: Creating more sustainable products
The first move towards a greener output for security manufacturers lies in the way of new research and development (R&D) innovations, focusing more effort on reducing the carbon footprint of their products and technologies while maintaining quality and durability. As an example, great strides are being made in reducing data storage energy consumption.
Security manufacturers are also rolling out products with longer life expectancies, products made of recyclable materials and packaging, and products powered by renewable energy. Each of these initiatives reduces waste and emissions. For example, solar-powered camera demand has increased in recent years due to its well-established effectiveness at using the sun’s limitless clean energy.
“All-in-one” product-design concept
Greener designs will deliver both a lower-carbon product to customers and help them reduce their carbon footprint
The “all-in-one” product-design concept has also gained traction in the security market as it combines multiple functions into a single device, which is beneficial for reducing production materials, accessories, and power consumption.
Using 3D technology to create digital prototypes is also increasing in popularity since it reduces waste in materials and resources formerly used for prototypes during product development. Through technology-based innovations, greener designs will deliver both a lower-carbon product to customers as well as help them reduce their carbon footprint during use.
2) Green Operation: Implementing sustainable manufacturing processes
Security manufacturers are also adopting more environmentally-friendly practices in their daily manufacturing and operations to align with local laws, regulations, and policies to reduce carbon emissions.
More and more companies in a variety of industries have set medium-to-long-term goals for environmental management, spanning from lower carbon production, efficient water use, and waste and chemical management, to greener office environment transformations.
Sustainable operations cycle
Clean technologies will reduce the discharge of hazardous substances, such as wastewater and VOCs
ISO 14001-compliant manufacturers may boost their qualifications by reviewing their production process and auditing suppliers regularly to create a sustainable cycle of operations and production procedures.
In becoming more eco-friendly, manufacturers look for ways to apply clean technologies in their production lines. This will reduce the discharge of hazardous substances, such as wastewater and VOCs (volatile organic compounds), minimising their negative impact on the environment.
Green practices
On the operations side, green practices include encouraging paperless offices, choosing energy-reducing systems, and employing recycling systems in the move toward energy conservation, consumption reduction, and environmental protection.
In sum, as low-carbon initiatives pervade global communities, the security industry can take many well-known opportunities to promote sustainable development by producing low-carbon and energy-efficient products, and operating more sustainable manufacturing processes.
Exploring cleaner options
Many of these practices can also be referred to manufacturers in other industries who have already explored new avenues for cleaner operations.
Hikvision is always striving to enhance its care and consideration for the environment, optimise the use of resources, reduce pollutants, and explore low-carbon technologies in its operations and technological innovations.