How the wires, cables sector is focusing on decarbonisation

In 2023, amidst escalating climate threats, fossil fuel emissions hit a peak before embarking on a terminal decline, marking a turning point that the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) termed “the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era”, demanding urgent action toward a net-zero future. Instead, the GCC nations are leading the change to renewable energy, with countries like the UAE and Oman aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050, while Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia are targeting 2060 to achieve the same.

While most industrial companies worldwide are aiming to reduce their carbon footprint, this trend is particularly evident in the wires and cables sector.
As the backbone of modern infrastructure, this industry plays an essential role in powering our homes, businesses, and communities.

Hence, their transition from the use of fossil fuels to more eco-friendly methods will be a game changer in this shift to cleaner energy sources.

Initiatives to reduce emissions by the wires, cables sector

With an approach focused on ending the use of fossil fuels, the wires and cables industry is spearheading innovative initiatives to mitigate its environmental impact. Manufacturers are embracing digital tools such as IoT, data analytics and artificial intelligence to better their operations by enhancing efficiency and potentially minimising carbon emissions.

Additionally, the concept of a circular economy is also gaining traction. Instead of the “take-make-dispose” methods, manufacturers are opting for designing products for longevity and promoting recycling which in turn significantly reduces waste generation.

In the GCC, UAE has taken on the mantle to reduce emissions by 19 per cent by 2030, compared to the 2019 level, which in turn will represent a 40 per cent decrease from estimated 2030 emissions.

Minimising environmental footprint

One of the most effective strategies for manufacturers to lead the way in this clean energy era is to enhance energy efficiency. Upgrading equipment, optimising production processes, and implementing smart energy management systems, can significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions while also cutting costs.

Leading companies across the globe have already begun opting out of fossil fuels and using more renewable sources. Solar cables have begun garnering attention in Indian enterprises due to their cost-saving benefits and reduction of greenhouse gases.

Swedish companies have introduced low-carbon aluminium and polyolefins which produce a carbon footprint of 4kg CO2 per kg aluminium which is less than a quarter of the global average.

Moreover, solutions such as incorporating recycled materials, breaking down wires and products into raw materials to then resell, and adapting recycled plastic from coaxial waste to use for other industries like construction are all expected to quickly become the norm.

GCC’s net-zero goals

GCC countries have been investing heavily in sustainable sources with UAE being the first country to pledge to cut carbon emissions by 23.5 percent, equal to 70 million tonnes by 2030. The country has been funding clean energy projects, including solar, wind and nuclear, as it cuts down the use of natural gas for electricity production.

Saudi Arabia comes second as the country ready to achieve net zero emissions by 2060 by focusing on the domestic electrical vehicle market to support its local manufacturing sector as part of its Vision 2030 strategy. On a similar note, major enterprises worldwide are intensifying efforts to minimise carbon footprints through supply chains with innovative strategies.

Switching to sustainable aviation fuel and favouring rail transport over roads is one of the top solutions for sustainable supply chains. Companies are increasingly embracing intermodal transit, which combines the convenience of trucks with the efficiency of rail transport which can cut carbon emissions by over 65 per cent per 1,000 shipment miles.

Etihad Rail, one of GCC’s largest rail projects, acts on this by connecting UAE to its neighbouring countries and linking the core industries across the country, thus improving energy efficiency and ceasing a large per cent of carbon emissions on the road. In conclusion, industrial companies that are committed to reducing the use of fossil fuels are at the forefront of this monumental shift.

By embracing renewable energy, harnessing innovative technologies, and prioritising sustainable practices, these companies are not only safeguarding the environment but also signalling the end of an era that once gave rise to the world’s industrial revolution. The companies that adapt to this change first will be the leading example, paving the way for a cleaner and greener future where mankind and the earth can work hand in hand.

The writer is the group CEO at Ducab.