While manufacturing is the main driver of economic growth, accounting for 16% of global GDP (gross world product), its activities also pose serious environmental risks that need to be addressed.
According to the International Energy Agency, global CO2 emissions will increase by 6% in 2021 compared to the previous year - to an all-time high of 36.3 billion tonnes. The World Economic Forum reports that global manufacturing industries are responsible for a fifth of CO2 emissions and consume 54% of the world's energy resources.
Without manufacturing, there would be no economic growth and no jobs. We cannot do without it, so it is even more important that we take measures to minimise our impact on the environment. Improving productivity, which not only reduces CO2 emissions but also optimises costs, plays a major role in this.
Mitsubishi Electric has been taking measures to ensure production efficiency for many years. The company has set ambitious targets in its Environmental Vision 2021, including a target to reduce CO2 emissions in production. Mitsubishi Electric has set a target of 30% fewer emissions in the manufacturing process. So what were the actual results in 2021?