Experts stress decarbonisation to boost profitability

DUBAI: Arthur D. Little (ADL), a management consulting firm, has published the latest issue of Amplify, an ADL-edited journal that brings academic experts and business leaders together to advance thinking in critical areas of business and technology.

The Journey to Decarbonisation offers valuable guidance for businesses, providing a roadmap for achieving sustainable practices and addressing the pressing issue of reducing carbon emissions.

In the journal, ADL specialists, academic experts, and industry thought leaders comprehensively analyse global and regional decarbonisation trends and present actionable insights to help businesses navigate their journey toward carbon neutrality. They emphasise that embracing sustainable practices can lead to cost savings and enhanced financial performance. This dual benefit of decarbonisation and profitability creates a compelling business case for organisations.

Adnan Merhaba, Partner and Energy & Utilities Practice Lead at ADL Middle East, said: “Decarbonisation is a multifaceted process that necessitates collaboration between the public and private sectors, energy companies, investors, governments, and end users. The latest

edition of Amplify aims to equip businesses with the knowledge required to achieve sustainability goals, gain a competitive edge, and contribute to a greener future.”

Addressing the Decarbonisation Challenge in Cities

Cities occupy only about 2 percent of the Earth’s surface, but they consume significant resources and energy while contributing to many greenhouse gas emissions. Urban areas consume around 75 percent of the world’s resources and 70 percent of primary global energy, while contributing 50-60 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The transportation sector significantly contributes to overall energy consumption, accounting for almost 30 percent of energy usage worldwide and relying heavily on fossil fuels.

However, digital technologies are vital for improving delivery efficiency and supporting eco-friendly practices in supply chain management. For example, the UAE Smart City program has undertaken a project in Dubai Harbour that employs blockchain technology to manage the tracking and transportation of imported and exported goods effectively. These findings were published by the authors Ani Melkonyan-Gottschalk, and Maximilian Palmié in the Amplify journal.

Strategic Pathways for Sustainable Transformation

ADL’s Amplify journal provides valuable insights and practical strategies to lead decarbonisation at this critical moment in global sustainability efforts. These recommendations, derived from thorough analysis, offer a clear roadmap for companies and governments to align their operations with environmental imperatives while maintaining or enhancing their profitability. As stated in the journal by contributors Ani Melkonyan-Gottschalk and Maximilian Palmié, the following are key strategies for the journey toward decarbonisation:

• Unified Approach to Mitigation and Adaptation: The journal advocates for an integrated strategy that combines mitigation and adaptation tactics, crucial for adequate climate protection in the freight sector.
• Beyond Technological Improvements: It highlights the necessity of strategies that extend beyond technological advancements to address the environmental impacts of freight transportation holistically.
• Multimodal Logistics Optimisation: It emphasises optimisation of multimodal logistics chains, advocating for a shift toward more energy-efficient transportation modes.
• Public-Private Partnerships for Decarbonisation: The document stresses the importance of public-private cooperation, leveraging advanced technologies for sustainable transportation networks.

The article emphasises the importance of supportive policies and regulations for successful decarbonisation. It also highlights the European Union’s Green Deal as an ambitious policy that aims to create a favourable environment for businesses to invest in low-carbon technologies to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.