Turn pressure into a force for evolution! What decarbonization tools are needed in heavy industry?

This article presents content originally published in "Design Mind," a design journal operated by frog, under the supervision of Mr. Noriaki Okada of Dentsu BX Creative Center.

Advances in digitalization for decarbonization, such as smart energy management systems and real-time emissions monitoring, are opening new possibilities for companies to achieve their environmental goals.

Heavy industry currently faces intense pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (hereafter CO2) from its operations. Driven by this growing sense of urgency across the sector, the development and commercialization of various technologies accelerating corporate decarbonization are advancing.

As efforts to achieve carbon neutrality intensify, the link between digitalization and decarbonization will only grow stronger. While ease of use is essential for the adoption of any technology, user-friendly design is particularly critical for decarbonization tools. This is because the extent to which these technologies are leveraged for rapid corporate decision-making and the implementation of low-carbon strategies hinges on their usability. This time, we explore the characteristics of design that leads to the adoption and widespread use of intelligent decarbonization tools across diverse companies.

<Table of Contents>
▼For Heavy Industry, the Path to Net-Zero is Complex and Challenging

▼The Role of Technology in the Transition to Net-Zero

▼What Design Enhances Technology's Potential?

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For Heavy Industry, the Path to Net Zero Is Complex and Challenging
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Strong pressure from all sides is demanding that companies take decisive action toward decarbonization. Heavy industry also faces pressure from governments, investors, and society at large to reduce CO2 emissions. However, the activities of heavy industry companies have both aspects that promote and hinder the transition to a zero-carbon economy, making it a difficult challenge to meet these demands. The path to net-zero (net-zero CO2 emissions) for heavy industry companies is complex and requires significant effort and coordinated action from each company.

Heavy industry companies must carefully make decisions regarding the operation of their facilities and capital investments, as these directly impact their production capacity. They must also consider that the strategies they pursue may affect companies further along the value chain that play crucial roles in the industry's economic ecosystem. Below, we outline the roles and responsibilities expected of the heavy industry sector and its manufacturers.

The Role of the Heavy Industry Sector

This sector provides critical resources essential for the transition to a zero-carbon economy and plays a central role in the shift towards a sustainable future.

Responsibilities of Manufacturers

While manufacturers are often noted for CO2 emissions related to the production of power generation equipment, they also bear responsibility for reducing "Scope 2" emissions (※), meaning indirect CO2 emissions resulting from electricity usage. This underscores that manufacturing plays a vital role in both CO2 emissions and providing solutions.

※Scope 2: The GHG Protocol, an international standard for greenhouse gas emissions calculation and reporting, classifies supply chain emissions into Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3. Scope 2 refers to indirect emissions associated with the use of electricity, heat, etc., supplied by other companies.
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Capital-intensive industries

Heavy industry is not only capital-intensive but also indispensable to the production of steel, plastics, energy, and the broader economy. This means heavy industry wields significant influence over achieving sustainability. Achieving the goal of carbon neutrality requires heavy industrial companies to transform their operations. This necessitates new approaches to business planning encompassing the entire supply chain, as well as communication and collaboration. Pressure for decarbonization will continue to grow. Companies cannot afford to delay their transformation efforts any longer.

The Role of Technology in the Transition to Net-Zero

Against the backdrop of the urgent need for decarbonization in business operations, market demand is growing for technologies that accelerate corporate decarbonization efforts. Fortune Business Insights predicts that the global market for green technology and sustainability, which was $16.5 billion in 2023, will grow to $61.92 billion by 2030. Given the rapid maturation of climate-related technologies in recent years, it is clear that digitalization and decarbonization will increasingly reinforce each other.

While the convergence of digitalization and decarbonization is rapidly maturing the environment for technological innovation and investment, attention is also focusing on the importance of digital tools in efforts to achieve decarbonization goals. Not only downstream technologies such as carbon capture technology, but also various technologies aimed at supporting the formulation of decarbonization strategies, such as CO2 emissions management tools, are growing as a single segment.

As understanding of technology's importance in business planning expands, a competitive market for CO2 emissions management is forming, involving diverse players such as specialized software providers, equipment manufacturers, major technology companies, and consulting firms.

What design enhances a technology's potential?

In this crowded market, ease of use becomes a competitive advantage for companies aiming for widespread adoption of their technology. While user-friendly design is crucial for any technology, it is an extremely important factor for decarbonization tools, as it determines whether the primary users can drive company-wide transformation and implement decarbonization strategies. Considering the above, examining the design of decarbonization tools reveals the following characteristics:

Design that drives action

Data-driven decision-making is paramount. Therefore, designs that promote meaningful action are essential. Designs are needed that connect data to real-world impact and support users in making informed, well-explained choices.

Evolving Design

We live in a world where regulations, technology, and the environment are constantly changing. Design, too, is a living entity that evolves alongside this world. Design must remain appropriate throughout a product's lifecycle. It needs to be modular, flexible, and customizable to adapt to changes in regulations, technology, and the environment.

Collaborative Design

We ourselves are agents of change. Therefore, it is crucial that everyone can use the technology, ensuring usability tailored to diverse users across industries, job levels, and roles. Visualizing individual needs and connecting them to broader insights is also essential.

Design That Prioritizes

Saying "everything is important" is the same as saying "nothing is important." Attention is now focused on hierarchy—establishing priorities—a fundamental design principle. For climate change data, we must enhance its scientific value, thereby accurately reflecting global realities and guiding actionable transformation.

In today's world of information overload, setting priorities makes the truly important elements clearly visible. Whatever the approach, it is essential to shine a light on critical scientific findings, amplify their impact on people's lives and the global environment, and pinpoint areas where change matters. In design, considering strategic hierarchy remains a fundamental principle.

We've explored key design principles for formulating effective design strategies: actionable data, ease of implementation, inclusivity, and prioritization. Are you ready to drive sustainable change? frog will continue supporting companies in their efforts to reduce environmental impact.

This article is also published in the web magazine "AXIS".