The Path to Sustainable Industrialisation

Photo by ThisisEngineering on Unsplash

The United Nations’ SDG of the Month for August is SDG 9, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. From mass production to technological advancements, industrialisation is a key driver of economic growth and development. However, it also carries a significant environmental footprint that extends far beyond carbon emissions. High water usage, waste generation, and the consumption of natural resources pose critical challenges to the planet.

Climate change and greenhouse gas emissions are front and centre of the environmental impacts of industrial processes. But water scarcity, resource depletion, and waste pollution are equally pressing issues. Factories require substantial amounts of water for cooling, processing, cleaning, and sanitation. In regions already facing water stress, industrial demand can exacerbate shortages, affecting local communities and ecosystems. The extraction and processing of raw materials can often result in habitat destruction and biodiversity loss. Lastly, industrial waste (which includes hazardous chemicals, plastics, and by-products) can contaminate land, water, and air, posing significant risks to human health and the environment. 

Can industrialisation be sustainable? By shifting to a more circular economy approach, it is possible to build resilient infrastructure and promote innovation while advancing inclusive and sustainable industrialisation. Several key strategies are instrumental in achieving this goal. Firstly, the concept of waste itself needs to be redefined. Waste streams can be a valuable resource. Technologies like industrial symbiosis (where the waste of one company becomes the feedstock for another) can create circular material flows. Anaerobic digestion (which converts waste into biogas), composting, and advanced recycling techniques can recover energy and materials from various industrial wastes. Water Efficiency through closed-loop water systems, where water is treated and recycled within the facility, drastically reduces freshwater intake. Embracing sustainable sourcing practices includes prioritising recycled and renewable materials, eco-design, and implementing strategies for material efficiency in manufacturing processes.

The path to sustainability requires a fundamental shift in the management of industrial processes. By embracing circular economy principles and investing in resource-efficient technologies and practices, industries can decouple economic growth from environmental degradation. This improves long-term business resilience and competitiveness and contributes to a healthier planet and more equitable resource distribution.