With a Constant Commitment to Innovation, Companies can Reduce their Carbon Footprint

Jason McMillan, the Regional Sales Director for Epson Middle East and Turkey, says that a sustainability strategy should also include improving the overall quality of human life

How does technology contribute to sustainability?
Technology is constantly evolving to meet the demands and responsibilities of businesses and consumers; solution providers are creating smarter, greener, and more holistic solutions that preserve natural resources. Epson is leading the digitisation of printing to reduce environmental impact and increase work productivity.

Epson is investing more than €770 million in sustainable innovation and toward becoming carbon-negative and underground resource free by 2050. Internally, this investment will contribute to decarbonisation and close resource loops. Externally, this investment will see Epson innovations reduce the environmental impact for customers and partners and develop new products that are inherently sustainable.

What sort of sustainability efforts does your company practice?
Epson is committed to becoming carbon-negative and underground resource-free by 2050 as outlined in the Environmental Vision 2050. We are committed to using 100% renewable electricity across the entire global Epson Group by 2023. Epson is ranked in the top 10 of all companies measured by industry intelligence provider IDC’s sustainability framework, rating higher than average across all indexes measured.

Epson’s EcoVadis platinum status places it in the top 1% of technology companies globally for sustainability.
Epson recently renewed its Corporate Vision, Epson 25, putting four key priorities at the centre of its strategy: achieving sustainability in a circular economy, advancing the frontiers of industry, improving quality of life, and fulfilling its social responsibility.

Do we need to look at sustainability beyond the use of “green energy”?
Yes, a sustainability strategy should also include improving the overall quality of human life. This is one of Epson’s four priorities — campaigning for human rights and strong governance at all levels within the company’s structure. Epson contributes to the communities around them by partnering with stakeholders and charitable institutions in the geographies served.

How can companies reduce their carbon footprint? Are there local or regional initiatives that encourage companies to adopt best practices?
With a constant commitment to innovation, companies can reduce their carbon footprint. At Epson, the main vehicle for innovation is digitalising services to reduce energy consumption and manufacturing costs while improving the company and customer experience. The fact that the majority of governments in the MENA region are focusing on sustainability also encourages more commitment from private sector companies to share this vision. Innovation is the primary enabler of sustainability. Recent research from Epson shows that 62% of MEA organisations want to reduce energy costs, with 58% of respondents looking to invest in sustainable technology.

What factors can help companies advance toward their sustainability goals?
Sustainability should be a core focus for organisations; companies can define and achieve their sustainability goals by looking at all their operations and considering how they can be transformed through ethical practice and innovation. In March 2021, Epson renewed its environmental vision – Epson 25 – putting four key priorities at the centre of its strategy: achieving sustainability in a circular economy, advancing the frontiers of industry, improving quality of life, and fulfilling their social responsibility.

To achieve these goals, Epson will drive innovation in six areas: office and home printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing innovation, visual innovation, lifestyle innovation, and microdevices. Partnership with like-minded organisations can also help to achieve sustainability goals; over the next several years, Epson will continue to collaborate with other forward-thinking innovators around the world to push boundaries and find more sustainable solutions.