Putting data to work for an empowered, autonomous and sustainable future…
Helen Gilmartin, Regional Strategy & Marketing Business Partner, Hexagon Geosystems
THE landscape of how we work is changing. For the first time, companies are committed to reaching net-zero targets and are doing whatever it takes to get there.
Spurred on by global initiatives, such as the UN Paris Agreement, alongside a personal duty and desire to do what’s right we are all making changes, both for our planet and for future generations.
For over twenty years, we have helped businesses on their journeys to becoming more sustainable. We’ve empowered customers to leverage smart digital realities that put data to work autonomously.
The result?
Our customers have improved their carbon-neutrality through increased efficiency and safety, as well as reducing their emissions and waste.
At Hexagon, we produce an annual statutory sustainability report, which focuses on our performance and approach to company-wide sustainability. This article breaks down some of the key takeaways, such as past ventures, current actions, goals for the future, and we think these changes may be beneficial.
Facilitators of change: Our commitments
We have the ability to empower our customers to utilise data to its greatest potential, one which will result in a positive change for our planet.
As a business, that it’s not enough. Now and in the future, we are committed to taking action in the areas that matter. The report clearly demonstrates how Hexagon is taking sustainability seriously.
Each geographic division of the company is responsible for implementing its own changes and acting in the interest of the local environment and population.
John Fraser and the leadership team are developing this for the UK, Ireland & Benelux.
They’ve built our global strategic sustainability through our company infrastructure, people and processes, which have been implemented companywide.
Some examples from the report include rolling out diversity and inclusion e-learning for all employees, launching our diversity and inclusion committee, joining the Responsible Business Alliance, and expanding our products into solar energy, blue carbon ecosystems, and hydrogen.
However, we believe the real difference will be made when we as a society change the way we see and use data.
Sustainability and the Smart Digital Reality
We have a vision of a future where data is fully leveraged so that business, industry and humanity thrive. Data is huge, so knowing how to utilise it can be extremely powerful. Businesses are understandably looking for the most efficient ways to improve their sustainability and many are recognising that data is the way to do it. There is a large increase in demand for data solutions. Most notably, demand for the Smart Digital Reality technology.
The Smart Digital Reality
Technology continues to look towards empowering an autonomous, sustainable future. Sensor and software solutions make up the Smart Digital Reality, a concept that puts data to work autonomously. This is a dynamic and powerful use of data. It can be utilised across almost all industries, businesses, and organisations to help reach sustainability goals.
It has massive potential. From preparing entire cities for environmental change, to planning and optimising a country’s transportation system and infrastructure maintenance schedule to minimise delays. Similarly, it’s able to monitor and protect critical infrastructure and natural resources. Or on a smaller scale, smart digital realities can be used to design and enhance batteries for electric vehicles, thus improving their range. While in the manufacturing sector, implementing smart data solutions can automate production lines and lessen waste.
It’s clear that this technology has value in the fight against climate change. But there’s still work to be done. In order to guarantee a positive quality of life for generations to come, it’s essential that we as a business are committed to change, so we’re excited about the massive potential of this technology. And with the rest of the world advancing at a rapid rate, it’s likely that technology will be used in ways that we couldn’t possibly imagine, to solve problems we might not even have yet.
Implementing change: Our responsibility
As an enabler of a sustainable future, we look to provide solutions that address the main environmental and social challenges that companies and nations face today. The key to our solutions is a strong focus on research and development (R&D). Alongside our dedicated R&D initiatives, we’re also focusing on the sustainability of our actions in other business areas.
We have implemented clear sustainability processes built on consciousness within the supply chain, operations, supply chain management and social engagements to enable positive change wherever it operates. This has been one of the most impactful changes made across the business.
Social engagements
In 2021, Hexagon committed to implementing a corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme focused on the environment, education, innovation and diversity. Our aim is to to give back to society by supporting and actively engaging in local initiatives with the community in each area we operate. Our social engagements include working with charities, such as donating technology, training and supporting environmental research, partnering with universities to develop future talent, and sponsoring community events.
R-evolution – the sustainability transition
Decision-makers should continuously act with a mindset that is constantly innovating and aiming to generate new value, but with the environment in mind.
R-evolution is a business venture developed by the company to make traction in the rapidly growing green-tech space. The division looks to implement our technologies and our partner’s technologies into business opportunities that benefit the environment and society. By applying the hardware and software solutions we have, including visualisation platforms and sensors, to new ventures, R-evolution aims to enable technical blueprints for greater impact globally.
The R-evolution portfolio has been expanded to include the construction of solar farms in Spain, a blue-carbon ecosystem initiative in the Bahamas, and green hydrogen digitalisation in Australia. Now in full motion, R-evolution is looking to expand into sustainable agriculture, plastics reduction in oceans, protection of forests, and more.
Digital twins of major cities enabling adaptation to climate change
The HxGN Content Program produces 3D digital twins of cities around the world. It enables decision-makers to visualise insightful, data-driven actions for increased sustainability. The digital twins let city administrators manage and monitor critical assets and model risks, as well as support the goal of creating smarter, more sustainable cities.
They can also simulate and communicate scenarios to make cities smarter, safer and more sustainable. For example, the data allows for the planning and designing of green spaces to decrease the temperature on warm days. It also gives the potential to reduce a city’s carbon footprint by lowering the need for cooling energy in buildings, and improve air quality, increasing the wellbeing of the citizens. Or, enhancing biodiversity by ensuring that small animals and climate-resilient plants thrive. We are confident that the need for sustainability supporting solutions will continue growing. However, many more organisations are needed to lead this change to meet sustainability and net-zero targets.
So how should executives lead this change within their own organisations?
Decision-makers should continuously act with a mindset that is constantly innovating and aiming to generate new value, but with the environment in mind. It involves the need to measure activities appropriately and overcome any obstacles to ensure the successful deployment of productive technologies in a sustainable manner.
Helen Gilmartin, Regional Strategy & Marketing Business Partner, Hexagon Geosystems
Helen Gilmartin is a member of the CICES Sustainability Working Group.