Dr David Pugh
Director of Sustainable Industry, Digital Catapult
In a rapidly evolving industrial climate, adoption of AI solutions can enable businesses to cut carbon emissions and optimise operational efficiency for long-term commercial success.
Artificial intelligence (AI) solutions can improve operational efficiency and productivity across sectors while allowing organisations of all sizes to achieve their sustainability goals.
AI instrumental to sustainable innovation
From aiding leaders in implementing sustainable measures to optimising energy use within operations, AI can be a powerful tool for businesses aiming for net zero emissions in the long term. Pressure to decarbonise is rising alongside environmental concerns from stakeholders, partners and customers.
As sustainability becomes central due to regulations and business preferences, many leaders may remain unaware of AI’s value in meeting sustainability goals. However, it holds the potential to reduce carbon emissions through analysis of energy consumption data. AI can enhance visibility throughout supply chains, tracking and tracing products at every stage of production and distribution, thus increasing accountability.
AI can enhance visibility throughout
supply chains, tracking and tracing
products at every stage.
How AI can support industry decarbonisation
At Digital Catapult, we develop pioneering AI solutions to help leading businesses achieve sustainability goals. On the AI for Decarbonisation Virtual Centre of Excellence (ADViCE) programme, we explore new use cases for AI to cut carbon emissions in key sectors such as energy, agriculture and manufacturing.
This includes a series of seven grand challenges where AI can be utilised to support industry decarbonisation: (1) unlocking domestic decarbonisation; (2) enabling net zero infrastructure; (3) maximising flexibility in energy networks; (4) decarbonising manufacturing inputs; (5) improving manufacturing process efficiency; (6) minimising methane in agriculture; and (7) optimising soil management.
Soil management and achieving net zero
For instance, in soil management, AI can accurately and quickly determine the amount of fertiliser required to limit emissions. AI predicts changes in soil health and carbon storage potential from future weather events, changing climate or environmental changes. This can allow businesses to model soil attribute changes and help plan more resilient sites.
Additionally, the Tenfold NetZero Accelerator Programme in Northern Ireland is demonstrating the strategic value of AI in helping businesses across the region to achieve their net zero ambitions. Through the programme, Digital Catapult is supporting SMEs to reduce glass waste, improve quality inspection and make progress towards producing zero-emission glass with the help of AI.
The programme was established to decarbonise key sectors in Northern Ireland, including agri-industries and manufacturing. By adopting AI the right way, industries can get one step closer to achieving their sustainability goals without compromising operational efficiency.
