The 2022 Future Bridge hybrid conference was held in Berlin. Over the course of two days, attendees viewed presentations and case studies from industry experts, while enjoying numerous networking activities. The conference was dedicated to the vital need for efficiency in the energy-intensive pharmaceutical industry. Life sciences are 55% more emission-intensive than the automotive industry, and as the world decarbonizes, it is crucial to limit energy expenditure. Pharmaceutical companies need to certify that their facilities are energy efficient to comply with future regulations while still providing the world with life-saving medication.

With 1.2 billion inhabitants and 30 million square kilometers, Africa is often forgotten during the debates about renewable energy. The continent is actually rich in oil, gas, and other valuable fossil fuels. It is also one of the most mineral-rich areas in the world. But inefficiency and poor management have led to an underdeveloped energy industry. Indeed, Africans struggle with electricity supplies in general. So what are the opportunities and possibilities of oil and gas in Africa?

Many European governments reacted to the COVID-19 pandemic by instituting lockdowns. Regional specifics varied, but residents and citizens were generally ordered to stay and work from home, when possible. Worldwide, nearly 4.2 billion were under some form of lockdown. Simulatainusly, the pandemic came with a degree of uncertainty that translated into an economic slowdown. As consumers spent less, companies' energy demands fell. So what can businesses learn from COVID-19’s impact on electricity markets and what should they do in the future?

The food industry needs to understand how to limit its energy consumption and by extension its CO2 emissions. Food production may use up to 30% of global energy and is increasingly under pressure from GHG emission regulations. Companies should make a holistic assessment of where new technology can be implemented. Industry peers are a valuable source of information, as learning from the experiences and mistakes of others is cheaper. Pitfalls to be avoided, case studies, and best practices should all be analyzed to make an informed energy management plan.

Rising energy prices and regulatory pressure to limit GHG emissions both push companies to find every possible solution to save power. There has been significant investment in energy, with nearly $1.9 trillion spent in 2018 alone. But improvements have been unfocused, combining elements of sustainability with general power-management principles. Similarly, technological innovations in AI and machine learning are only recently being applied to energy management. So how can a company employ artificial intelligence to direct its energy strategy? 

The state of New Jersey is suing several fossil-fuel companies such as Exxon, Chevron, and BP, for their impact on climate change. More precisely, New Jersey argues that these companies have made deceptive statements about their climate impact. This is commonly referred to as greenwashing, an activity that is coming under more and more scrutiny. Greenwashing has become a hot-button issue in the legislature of many western countries. Future Bridge has created a more thorough overview of greenwashing around the world can be found here. So how does NJ plan to prove its case in court? And why should the industry at-large pay attention?

As the mining industry transitions to a more environmentally friendly, automated, and remote-controlled approach, power is a challenge. Current batteries do not have the capacity for the heavy-duty work needed to extract ore and other materials from the earth. The heat, humidity, and generally harsh conditions of a mine are not conducive to battery longevity. This is all set to change, as a collective effort of nice companies, including Shell, spearhead the effort to develop a fast-charging, high-capacity battery.

If a company exaggerates its environmental impact or claims an environmentally-friendly policy that is not true, it is engaging in greenwashing. So how widespread is this issue? to answer this question, two data points will be considered. First, how do various countries see and persecute greenwashing? It stands to reason that a country that actively combats greenwashing has cases of greenwashing in it. Secondly, what do various research groups say about the amounts of greenwashing from region to region?

The GHG protocol was developed in the late 1990s as a means to create a framework for measuring and managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Despite its daunting name, the new set of standards mostly influences the terms and definitions used to communicate environmental data. In short, this means standardizations of information. Companies should see the GHG protocol not as a new set of regulations, but as an opportunity to protect themselves from allegations of greenwashing.

Most people imagine monstrously large trucks and drills when they hear the words “mining and metals industry.” This view is partially accurate, as mining uses some of the most cutting-edge, specialized machinery in the world. The industry now also needs to consider the importance of sophisticated software to go with its impressive hardware. Digitalization is the key to enhancing every operation, from increased yields to reduced fuel costs. The time to refocus is now so make sure to explore the five ways that digitalization can benefit an operation.