… and how sustainability-driven innovation is already powering China’s automotive industry
For many companies, the path to sustainability starts with the use of sustainable materials. Autodesk partner Granta Design offers some guidance in this area, as it is the primary force behind the Autodesk/Granta design jointly-developed tool, Eco-Materials Advisor. But another company, Materials Connexion, is also very involved in helping companies to make sustainable materials choices. And it has, apparently, been very successful behind the scenes in this effort, supporting both the development and use of sustainable materials in products at companies like BMW, Procter & Gamble, Nissan, Nokia and Samsug – just to name a few.
That’s encouraging, but it’s only a start. As noted in a recent article on the subject–a truly sustainable approach to product design and development should adhere to the “Cradle to Cradle” CertificationCM guidelines developed by renowned design firm McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry, or in other words, should:
- take into account not only the safety of materials, but the ability to reuse or recycle these materials and achieve “zero waste” goals;
- use less energy (and/or use energy from more renewable sources) in both the creation and use of these products;
- conserve water and other natural resources in the creation and use of products, and
- support socially-responsible manufacturing, production, and use
In short, sustainability isn’t just a materials issue – it also takes into account the environmental impacts (both positive and negative) of design and manufacturing processes; involves efficient use of natural resources, in general; and seeks to protect human health and safety, including adoption of “fair” labor practices – just for starters.
It’s perhaps worth noting here that even without any specific mention of “carbon footprint,” the concept of sustainability becomes clear in this context. It’s really about designing products in such a way that there is less waste and less energy used throughout the product’s lifecycle; and about using materials and processes in the creation of these products that are safer and less toxic. It’s about designing products that can be more easily disassembled for recycling or designing products that are made of more recycled content. It’s about durability, green chemistry, and less packaging. A key aspect of sustainability is protecting people and the environment. But it’s important to emphasize that sustainability is also about the bottom line. The good news is that research has confirmed that taking a sustainable approach to product design and development can yield significant business benefits, as well.
For many companies, the path to sustainability starts with the use of sustainable materials. Autodesk partner Granta Design offers some guidance in this area, as it is the primary force behind the Autodesk/Granta design jointly-developed tool, Eco-Materials Advisor. But another company, Materials Connexion, is also very involved in helping companies to make sustainable materials choices. And it has, apparently, been very successful behind the scenes in this effort, supporting both the development and use of sustainable materials in products at companies like BMW, Procter & Gamble, Nissan, Nokia and Samsug – just to name a few.
That’s encouraging, but it’s only a start. As noted in a recent article on the subject–a truly sustainable approach to product design and development should adhere to the “Cradle to Cradle” CertificationCM guidelines developed by renowned design firm McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry, or in other words, should:
- take into account not only the safety of materials, but the ability to reuse or recycle these materials and achieve “zero waste” goals;
- use less energy (and/or use energy from more renewable sources) in both the creation and use of these products;
- conserve water and other natural resources in the creation and use of products, and
- support socially-responsible manufacturing, production, and use
In short, sustainability isn’t just a materials issue – it also takes into account the environmental impacts (both positive and negative) of design and manufacturing processes; involves efficient use of natural resources, in general; and seeks to protect human health and safety, including adoption of “fair” labor practices – just for starters.
It’s perhaps worth noting here that even without any specific mention of “carbon footprint,” the concept of sustainability becomes clear in this context. It’s really about designing products in such a way that there is less waste and less energy used throughout the product’s lifecycle; and about using materials and processes in the creation of these products that are safer and less toxic. It’s about designing products that can be more easily disassembled for recycling or designing products that are made of more recycled content. It’s about durability, green chemistry, and less packaging. A key aspect of sustainability is protecting people and the environment. But it’s important to emphasize that sustainability is also about the bottom line. The good news is that research has confirmed that taking a sustainable approach to product design and development can yield significant business benefits, as well.
The reality is that sustainability is a journey – ideally, with each new generation of a particular product, that product will become more sustainable – it will have less of a negative impact (and more of a positive one) on the environment as it improves over time, and in so doing - it will - use less energy, fewer “scarce” materials or resources, and ultimately, will actually generate the equivalent of environmental, social and economic “credits” rather than debits.
In this sense, China may be well ahead of its Western cousins. Already looking ahead to a future in which its rapidly expanding urban populations will require a significant shift in personal mobility capacity – the development of a more sustainable, more eco-friendly form of transport is already well-underway. For example, in 2010 when the Chinese car firm, SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp.) unveiled its green YeZ concept car, a vehicle that was designed to not simply reduce carbon emissions, but to actually yield a negative carbon footprint (by using a photosynthesis-like process to “inhale” CO2 and release oxygen as a beneficial by-product), it appears that China has already taken a big step towards truly sustainable transport.
Interestingly, the Toyota Prius failed to meet the demanding environmental restrictions that the Chinese government had set for its automakers in its quest for the ideal “green car.” So the Prius didn’t even make the cut, much less experience the eco-friendly leadership status that it has achieved in the West, according to observers.
So, what does sustainability look like moving forward? It’s far more than more eco-friendly packaging or the use of more sustainable materials. Looking ahead, sustainability is destined to pave the way for some truly radical re-thinking of how we will use energy, how we will travel, live, and work, in general; and how we will manage our resources so that there will, in effect, “be enough to go around.” But mostly, sustainability – and all the improved efficiency, cost-savings, innovation and revenue growth that comes with it –will be good for business. And that’s what will, ultimately, allow it to flourish – and to deliver the environmental and societal benefits that visionaries have always hoped for.
See also:
You’re Not as Green as You Think
In this sense, China may be well ahead of its Western cousins. Already looking ahead to a future in which its rapidly expanding urban populations will require a significant shift in personal mobility capacity – the development of a more sustainable, more eco-friendly form of transport is already well-underway. For example, in 2010 when the Chinese car firm, SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp.) unveiled its green YeZ concept car, a vehicle that was designed to not simply reduce carbon emissions, but to actually yield a negative carbon footprint (by using a photosynthesis-like process to “inhale” CO2 and release oxygen as a beneficial by-product), it appears that China has already taken a big step towards truly sustainable transport.
Interestingly, the Toyota Prius failed to meet the demanding environmental restrictions that the Chinese government had set for its automakers in its quest for the ideal “green car.” So the Prius didn’t even make the cut, much less experience the eco-friendly leadership status that it has achieved in the West, according to observers.
So, what does sustainability look like moving forward? It’s far more than more eco-friendly packaging or the use of more sustainable materials. Looking ahead, sustainability is destined to pave the way for some truly radical re-thinking of how we will use energy, how we will travel, live, and work, in general; and how we will manage our resources so that there will, in effect, “be enough to go around.” But mostly, sustainability – and all the improved efficiency, cost-savings, innovation and revenue growth that comes with it –will be good for business. And that’s what will, ultimately, allow it to flourish – and to deliver the environmental and societal benefits that visionaries have always hoped for.
See also:
You’re Not as Green as You Think
