25TH ANNIVERSARY Things to come...
Stefan Reuther, Member of the Executive Board at automation supplier COPA-DATA, reflects on the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual conference – what change is required to achieve the twin transition?
C
an technology save the planet? The sentiment at the latest World Economic Forum annual conference in Davos evoked an overwhelming yes. Next generation technologies have undeniable potential. Yet, the success of these technologies hinges on how we navigate their implementation.
Pillars of change Talent development was discussed at Davos 2024 as a critical factor in ensuring a smooth transition to next-generation technologies. It’s not merely about technical skills, but cultivating a mindset of adaptability and continuous learning. As technology evolves, so must our workforce. Initiatives like pivotal in equipping our teams to leverage A robust data backbone is equally crucial. This involves establishing reliable systems for capturing, processing and analysing data across the entire manufacturing ecosystem. This is essential to provide real- time insights and predictive maintenance, enhancing decision making in a wide variety of settings. Industry standards also play a part in fostering interoperability and ensuring quality of new technologies. To get the best out of our tech, we must streamline the development of common protocols and best practices. While this may take time,
80 May 2024 | Automation
standardisation will further facilitate the integration of new technologies in the long term.
Governments and regulators play a critical role in shaping the landscape of next-gen technologies. They yield power to create an environment where knowledge is shared, resources are mobilised and technology is used carefully. While it is crucial not to overregulate new tech, following sensible approaches is a good thing. This is particularly important for technologies that can be used to tackle pressing challenges like climate change.
Actions for the twin transition The concept of the “twin transition” – the phrase used to describe the convergence of the digital and green transitions – took centre stage at Davos 2024. Recognising the urgency of climate change, the community discussed the need for actionable solutions to accelerate the reduction of emissions. It is clear there’s a need for industry-
we may all be aiming for similar goals, such as reducing Scope 3 emissions, the
Collaborative research and development and the sharing of best technology practices will be key to uplift the sustainability of the entire supply chain. This impacts traceability, transparency and trust. Moving away from silos and
vendor-lock in is crucial for empowering businesses to understand their data and improve their environmental impact. Transparency of data is similarly
crucial for integrating sustainability into product design and manufacture – another topic discussed at Davos. In addition to considerations like material selection and lifecycle management, businesses can emissions by tackling energy-intensive processes in their product manufacture. It is impossible to do this without transparent technology that captures and visualises energy consumption in a harmonised way.
Can technology save the planet? In asking whether technology can save of possibility and responsibility. The discussions at Davos 2024 illuminated the potential of technology to achieve the world’s sustainability needs, but also emphasised the urgent need for collaborative action and change to the challenges ahead, we see that there are plenty of options to improve, and we must do it now to preserve a future worth living. One thing becomes clear: It’s not about the planet, it’s about us and the lives of our
automationmagazine.co.uk
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