Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK), one of the world’s leaders in industrial automation, information technology, and digital transformation, recently released its 2023 Sustainability Report. The report details the company’s progress and achievements in sustainability and how Rockwell is partnering with the manufacturing industry and even communities around the globe to create impact and change around the concept of sustainability.
“For more than 120 years, we have been committed to improving the efficiency of industrial processes, which includes making the best use of scarce resources.” Blake Moret, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Rockwell Automation, said, “Today, our advanced technologies and domain expertise help manufacturers of all types meet complex challenges, enabling them to make high-quality products while effectively reducing their negative impact on the environment.”
Smart manufacturing technologies play a critical role in advancing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and sustainability. According to the eighth edition of Rockwell’s annual State of Smart Manufacturing report, improving efficiency is the number one driver for manufacturers as they pursue sustainability and ESG policies and initiatives. This indicates that sustainability is an important tool for companies to improve operations and enhance profitability.
Rockwell’s ESG Progress to 2023
The report not only shows how Rockwell is helping customers achieve their sustainability goals through innovative, sustainable products and solutions but also highlights the company’s ESG initiatives and programs. These initiatives and programs not only enable Rockwell to better embrace sustainability, but also drive the company to create a culture that is more focused on employee safety and sustainable, responsible manufacturing.
As early as 2020, Rockwell announced its carbon neutrality goal – the company plans to achieve net-zero carbon emissions for Scope I (direct) and Scope II (indirect) by 2030. the 2023 Annual Report details the company’s efforts to achieve this goal and lists baseline information on Scope III (value chain) emissions It clarifies that indirect emissions from the company’s value chain account for 99 percent of its Scope III carbon footprint.
The report highlights the latest ESG initiatives for 2023, including:
- UN Global Compact: Rockwell has joined the UN Global Compact. The report describes eight United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which Rockwell believes can have a greater impact in advancing sustainable development.
- Science-Based Carbon Targets Initiative (SBTi): Rockwell has joined this initiative co-sponsored by the UN Global Compact, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The initiative addresses corporate climate action.
- Sustainable Product Design: Rockwell has decided to create a new team responsible for integrating sustainable design principles, metrics, and requirements into common product development processes.
Collaborating to Build Sustainable Communities
Advanced manufacturing is in high demand for people with the knowledge and skills to optimize technology, but workforce and skills shortages continue to plague companies in a wide range of industries. The Sustainability 2023 Annual Report highlights Rockwell’s active work to develop a workforce that is skilled in and enjoys using these advanced tools. At the same time, the report highlights the importance of collaboration between government, educational institutions, and industry to develop the skills of the workforce needed for today and the future.
“At a time when labor and skills shortages are impacting manufacturers across a wide range of industries, the ability of people to adapt to advanced technologies and access opportunities to upgrade their skills has become a major determinant of success or failure.” Moret said, “If a ‘people-centered’ approach is adhered to in the application of technology, we will see significant improvements realized in all aspects of manufacturing operations, from efficiency to employee safety, and a positive impact on business profitability and sustainability.”
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