Sustainability goes beyond 2030

Recently a Swedish environmental consultant found that by using Easy-Laser products the industry actually becomes more sustainable.

Fewer breakdowns. Higher energy efficiency and more predictable work conditions. Good news and further proof for proactive maintenance and prioritizing reliabilty. But at the same time we have to scrutinize the footprint of our own operation.

At Easy-Laser, taking a serious approach to sustainability is obvious. We do it by setting ambitious goals and expect our partners to do likewise. For example our operation is to be climate neutral by 2027. Our R&D department is constantly searching for ways to expand the lifespan of our systems. And everyday we look for ways to improve the conditions for our employees.

We know we're not perfect. We have made and will continue to make mistakes. But our goal is always to make decisions based on what makes sustainable sense.

We do it because we want to, because it's the right thing to do. We do it because we can. We do it because it's expected from us. But most of all because we have to.

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to meet with our global distributors and partners and discuss how we can make our industry more sustainable. It is during those moments that our differences become apparent. Where some came from a situation where the governing bodies have drawn up long term plans to fight carbon emissions, others represented places where sustainability as definition is still being discussed. If we want to reach any of the UN Global Goals we need to realize that everyone has started from vastly different starting points.

For example. In Sweden and the EU where Easy-Laser operates, carbon emissions are at the top of the agenda which means that the European industry is by many metrics world leading in reducing CO2. Not because of nobility. But because we have the privilege to make it so.

With legislative packages and initiatives such as Fit for 55 and the European Green New Deal the union has the ambition to be climate neutral in a couple of decades.

CSRD. CSDDD. CBAM. With the introduction of a new sustainability abbreviation wave the EU member nations and its citizens have been given a clear set of rules that actually have real impact. In that environment it's easy to claim you're doing your part. Also, it's not really an option.

In other regions reality is different. The E in ESG* is of course of importance. But in large parts of the globe the economic and social aspects of sustainability play a large role. Financial opportunities and working conditions are more urgent issues in countries where citizens are living under harsh conditions trying to get by. There are regions that have to handle the issue of age determination within the workforce because that is how you prevent child labour.

Operating in a global context you realize that a variation in sustainable outcomes is not a lack of will or knowledge but mere challenges of different realities. Which is why we need to encourage and appreciate the work that is actually being done in the international community.

2030 is approaching. Fast. And if we are to succeed, we need to understand our global surroundings and also be given the incentives to promote sustainable industrial behavior. We need regulations that take into account the environmental cost while at the same time not undermining the human aspects. We need to use the opportunity to continue on the groundwork that has already been done and give support to those in need.

That way we can reach our goals and set new ones that go beyond 2030.

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