ISA's Position Paper: Automation's Role in ESG
The International Society of Automation (ISA), the leading professional society dedicated to automation, has recently unveiled a captivating position paper titled "Achieving Sustainability Goals with Automation."
This groundbreaking publication explores how automation technology has revolutionised our lives, elevating productivity, efficiency, and profitability on a global scale.
Moreover, the paper emphasises the pivotal role automation plays in realising sustainability goals, presenting novel approaches to accelerate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives across various sectors, including manufacturing and beyond.
To assist organisations in showcasing their ESG leadership through automation, the paper provides specific recommendations, which encompass:
- Enhancing energy efficiency by leveraging automation to oversee lighting, heating, and cooling systems effectively.
- Mitigating personnel risks by implementing advanced sensors and automation technologies that isolate hazardous processes reduces the likelihood of injuries.
- Ensuring accountability and transparency by utilising data visualisation and objective analysis capabilities offered by automation systems.
- Stimulating job creation and upskilling opportunities as automation continues to evolve. According to the World Economic Forum, an estimated 12 million new jobs will emerge by 2023 as a direct result of automation.
Prabhu Soundarrajan, the ISA President-Elect Secretary, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "With a proud 78-year history of spearheading the automation profession, ISA remains committed to thought leadership, providing actionable recommendations on how sustainable practices can propel business excellence. We envision a mutually beneficial relationship between sustainability and automation.
"Organisations in the industrial and manufacturing sectors stand to reap substantial rewards by embracing sustainable automation practices. Even those that have yet to embrace automation technologies and standards extensively will discover that doing so accelerates their progress towards sustainability goals."
The position paper is now available for download on the ISA website, marking the beginning of a series of forthcoming publications that will delve into critical subjects like operational technology cybersecurity, safeguarding vital infrastructure, and the transformative role of automation in workforce development and job creation.
To view and compare company ESG Ratings and Sustainability Reports across sectors, follow our Company ESG Profiles page.
Source: ISA
