Can connectivity play a role in fighting climate change digitally, contributing to Canada’s sustainability goals?
That is the theme of a new report from Accenture, released earlier this week by Canadian Telecommunications Association. “Canada’s next sustainability frontier: Powering digital transformation with connectivity” [
pdf, 12.4MB] explores the environmental impact of connected technology and industrial reinvention.
The new report expands on Accelerating 5G in Canada: The Role of 5G in the Fight Against Climate Change discussed a few months ago in “Broadband’s broader benefits”.
Digital transformation includes the deployment of industrial Internet of Things technology, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and other technologies to drive increased productivity. Technology enables re-engineered processes and automated operations, powered by data and analytics. “By leveraging technology to produce the same or increased outputs with fewer inputs and waste, this improved productivity, in turn, reduces resource and energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. With access to better data on their operations, businesses can further improve their processes over time, driving continuous improvement in both efficiency and sustainability.”
The report examines three specific use cases in key Canadian sectors: oil and gas, mining, and agriculture. Accenture says predictive maintenance of oil rig equipment can significantly reduce downtime and energy consumption, leading to 20% reductions in wasted fuel. Connectivity improves management of mining tailing ponds, leading to a 90% reduction in incidents, and improved worker safety. Precision agriculture, with connected sensors and drones, reduce water and fertilizer use by 20-40%. Each of these sectors are described in greater detail in the report.
Most sustainability initiatives focus on renewables and alternative energy. Digital transformation of key industrial sectors can play a significant role in Canada’s sustainable future. “Canada’s next sustainability frontier” makes the case for digital transformation as part of the solution space.
How do we get there?
The report identifies levers for Canada’s sustainability acceleration.
- Expansion of the Next Generation of Network. CSPs need to continue to deploy and upgrade wireless and wireline network infrastructure so businesses have the connectivity they need to transform and power use cases
- Use Case and Device Availability. Solution providers need to build and provide market-ready, proven use cases for businesses that can allow them to digitally transform and meet their industrial needs, accelerating adoption & benefits
- Industry Verticals Transformation. Businesses need to undergo total enterprise reinvention by investing in their infrastructure and enterprise architecture, use cases and solutions, and talent & services to support digital integration
- Incentives, Programs, and Impact Measurement. Government programs & incentives need to include digital transformation, supported by a strong end-to-end sustainability measurement strategy to measure and verify emissions more precisely, and drive continuous improvement
Continued investment in advanced telecommunications infrastructure is a key enabler for reimagined business processes. Connectivity, driving digital transformation, work together as important catalyts for fighting climate change digitally.
Canada’s future depends on connectivity.