Manufacturing goods climate change
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The Impact of Climate Change on Manufacturing Goods
Introduction to Climate Change and Manufacturing
Climate change poses a significant threat to the manufacturing sector, affecting various aspects of production and supply chains globally. The diverse processes involved in manufacturing and the wide range of commodities traded make it challenging to analyze the full impact of climate change on this sector1. This article synthesizes recent research to highlight the key areas where climate change intersects with manufacturing, focusing on energy use, supply chain vulnerabilities, and mitigation strategies.
Energy Use and Carbon Footprint in Manufacturing
The manufacturing sector is a major consumer of energy and a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Research shows that onsite manufacturing and upstream supply chains account for over 90% of total energy use and carbon footprint in industrial sectors3. The Electricity, Gas, and Water Supply sector is a primary contributor to global climate change, while the Coke, Refined Petroleum, and Nuclear Fuel sectors drive energy use in upstream supply chains3. This highlights the need for comprehensive energy management strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of manufacturing processes.
Supply Chain Vulnerabilities and Climate Change
Climate change impacts global supply chains by affecting food production, natural resources, and transportation networks. Extreme weather conditions disrupt these sectors, leading to cascading effects throughout interconnected supply chains4. The mutual influence between climate change and supply chains, driven by natural disasters and greenhouse gas emissions, necessitates robust risk management frameworks to mitigate these risks4.
Mitigation Strategies in Manufacturing
Adaptation and Policy Measures
Regions that are major exporters of manufactured goods are often better positioned to adapt to climate change, minimizing adverse impacts1. Effective global action and policy measures are crucial to limit climate change and protect the manufacturing sector. Continuous staff and management training on climate change is recommended to enhance adaptive capacity2.
Technological Innovations
The integration of lean manufacturing, green manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 technologies offers a pathway to optimized and cleaner production. Implementing smart production control, cyber-physical systems, and smart energy monitoring can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve production efficiency8. For instance, a case study in the auto-parts manufacturing sector demonstrated a 55% reduction in carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide emissions through these integrated approaches8.
Specific Sectoral Strategies
In the cement manufacturing industry, significant climate change mitigation strategies include fuel emission reduction, process emission reduction, and electric energy-related emission management6. These strategies are prioritized using techniques like AHP and DEMATEL to establish causal relationships and develop effective mitigation measures6.
Conclusion
The manufacturing sector faces substantial challenges due to climate change, but it also has opportunities to mitigate its impacts through innovative technologies and strategic policy measures. By focusing on energy management, supply chain resilience, and integrated production approaches, the sector can reduce its carbon footprint and adapt to a changing climate. Continuous efforts in training, policy development, and technological innovation are essential to ensure the sustainability of manufacturing in the face of climate change.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Manufactured commodities and climate change
Climate change will negatively impact global manufacturing, but regions responsible for most exports are well-positioned to adapt and minimize adverse impacts.
Effect of Climate Change on the Manufacturing Sector
Climate change significantly impacts the manufacturing sector, affecting productivity, business risk, goods and services, chemicals and minerals, natural resources, and buildings, requiring adaptation strategies and ongoing staff and management training.
Energy-climate-manufacturing nexus: New insights from the regional and global supply chains of manufacturing industries
Onsite and upstream supply chains account for over 90% of total energy use and carbon footprint in Turkish manufacturing sectors, with electricity, gas, and water supply sectors being major contributors to global climate change.
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Systematic ReviewHighly CitedAn integrated approach using AHP and DEMATEL for evaluating climate change mitigation strategies of the Indian cement manufacturing industry.
Fuel emission reduction is the top priority for the Indian cement manufacturing industry, followed by process emission reduction, electric energy-related emissions, emission avoidance, and management mitigation measures.
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A framework combining lean manufacturing, green manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 can significantly reduce lead time, non-value-added time, and greenhouse gas emissions in manufacturing firms.
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