Although the geopolitical situation is challenging, companies’ commitment to ambitious climate goals remains strong. The deadlines for previously set targets are approaching for many, and the easiest emission reductions have already been made. The next phase of transformation lies ahead: how to integrate low-carbon solutions into competitive, resilient, and comprehensively sustainable business operations? The goal is no longer just to reduce emissions, but to genuinely increase value through low-carbon solutions. Here, artificial intelligence plays a significant role.
We highlighted the seven most impactful examples of utilizing AI to enable climate-friendly business in intelligent industry.
1. Predictive and properly timed maintenance reduces unnecessary downtime and extends the lifespan of equipment, which lowers the consumption of materials and parts. At the same time, it optimizes energy use and reduces emissions, as devices operate more smoothly and efficiently. AI assists in predicting failures and identifying maintenance needs.
2. Economical use of machines and equipment, as well as minimizing waste, reduces unnecessary energy consumption and the need for materials, which directly decreases the carbon footprint of operations. In these solutions, real-time sensor and usage data is directed to AI, which detects anomalies, optimizes usage instantly, and guides the user.
3. Low-carbon materials for products and components reduce the carbon footprint of production and decrease dependence on virgin, energy-intensive raw materials. AI enables the optimization of material choices by simulating the environmental impacts and costs of different options already at the design stage, which streamlines decision-making and accelerates the transition.
4. Bringing the impacts of products and services over their lifecycle and usage period into decision-making. When development is based on real data about the lifecycle and usage impacts of solutions, it is possible to choose options that produce fewer emissions in the long run. AI compiles lifecycle data, analyzes the greatest emission reduction opportunities, and introduces low-carbon criteria into decision-making.
5. Electrification and cleaner energy sources reduce combustion-based emissions and enable the transition towards a cleaner energy system. They lower operational emissions especially when the energy is produced with low carbon intensity. AI supports this transition by, for example, managing energy solutions, optimizing energy use, and balancing consumption according to the availability of renewable energy.
6. Enabling circular economy. Circular economy reduces the need for materials and lowers emissions by allowing machine and equipment parts and materials to be returned to use. AI identifies usable components and materials, assesses their condition, and directs them for reuse, refurbishment, or recycling. In addition, it enables the matching of demand and supply for reusable parts and materials.
7. System-level perspective and optimization. When larger systems are examined as wholes, solutions can be found that reduce emissions more broadly than by optimizing individual processes. AI can model complex systems, simulate the impacts of alternatives, and optimize large material flows, energy use, and logistics in ways that are otherwise difficult to achieve. A good example is AI-driven demand response in energy-intensive processes.
The transformation that is greater than the highlighted examples is the overall change in the logic of value creation. Business drivers are shifting from optimizing operations to optimizing value creation. Companies are presented with interesting opportunities to renew business models, services, and products in a more comprehensive way.
When utilizing AI, it is important to ensure that AI solutions are implemented responsibly: in an environmentally, socially, and ethically sustainable manner. Only then will their overall impact be genuinely positive.
Gofore’s sustainability experts are now working together with Valimo, a new AI-native consulting Group company, as well as with Impact Strategies, the sustainability consulting firm brought in with the acquisition of Esentri, to provide customers with strong added value in navigating this transformation.
