The Role of ESG in the Evolution of Smart Cities Industry

Burgeoning urbanization, technology advancements and emphasis on sustainability have opened avenues of growth in the smart cities industry. ESG policies have received an uptake as cities continue to grow in both number and population. According to the World Bank, the global urban population will surge to 6 billion by 2045. Technology advances have furthered digitization and companies expect smart cities to be catalysts for sustainable development. With cities grappling with climate change, ESG has become pivotal in complementing the applications of technologies and data to enhance city planning, accountability and engagement with citizens. 

The need for action against climate change has become imperative for a low-carbon society and to implement sustainable practices across the value chain. For instance, Singapore has implemented Green Plan to minimize the waste sent to landfills by 30% by 2030, plant one million more trees and quadruple solar energy deployment by 2025. 

A bullish ESG policy can provide a robust approach for stakeholders to analyze and address socio-environmental and governance challenges. In essence, strategic planning in line with national objectives, solid ESG regulation and regulatory compliance will remain critical to bolstering the brand position. For instance, real-time IoT data have become sought-after to help city governments in managing and monitoring environmental policies. 

Key Companies in this theme

    • ABB Limited

    • AGT International

    • AVEVA Group plc.

    • Cisco Systems, Inc.

    • Ericsson

    • General Electric

Discover more regarding the practices and strategies being implemented by industry participants form the Smart Cities Industry ESG Thematic Report, 2023, published by Astra ESG Solutions

Environmental Perspective

The prevalence of greenhouse gas emissions in cities has reinforced the need to strengthen the environmental profile. According to the data cited in the UN specialized agency for ICTs, cities contribute over 70% of carbon emissions globally every year. Digital solutions, such as smart grids, have shown promising signs of reducing emissions and fostering a move towards a clean energy society. Smart grids with predictive analytics and real-time monitoring have gained traction to reduce pressure on aging infrastructure, integrate renewables and lower costs and minimize peak loads.

To illustrate, in December 2022, Siemens won a new contract for grid control and smart metering infrastructure in Egypt. The project, under the aegis of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is valued at EUR 40 million (roughly USD 43 million) and will implement state-of-the-art software to boost the stability, efficiency and reliability of the power grid while minimizing electricity distribution losses. Investments in smart grids could be a significant leap to implementing a sustainable practice across the value chain. 

Social Perspective

While the low-carbon future is paving the way to an environmentally friendly society, social facets, including diversity & inclusion, workplace safety and employee engagement, have become invaluable to leverage social progress. For instance, in ABB, 40.5% of early talent hires were women in 2021, with revised Group-wide guidelines for flexible work practices. Strategies to underpin social performance encompassing gender, age, ethnicity and sexual orientation have become pronounced. It is gearing up to increase the proportion of women in senior management roles by two-fold (as part of its Global Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2030). 

The Switzerland-headquartered company also rolled out a gender-neutral parental leave program offering four weeks of paid leave for secondary caregivers and 12 weeks for primary caregivers. Besides, it received an employee engagement score of 74 out of 100 in its 2021 employee Engagement Survey. Moreover, over 7,600 ABB managers and other employees completed the “Interrupt Unconscious Bias” program.

Is your business one of participants to the Global Smart Cities Industry? Contact us for focused consultation around ESG Investing, and help you build sustainable business practices.

Governance Perspective

An exponential rise in smart cities has put the spotlight on the governance pillar, including transparency, ecosystem governance, ethical practices, funding and supply chain management policies. Stakeholders are expected to focus on undergirding governance to help employees make ethical and fair decisions and provide a foundation for effective strategic leadership. For instance, AVEVA has an Audit Committee to monitor and oversee risk management & control; a Nomination and Governance Committee to review ESG, board composition and succession planning; a Disclosure Committee to decide if information should be disclosed to the market; and a Remuneration Committee to review board and senior management remuneration. In addition, the CEO regularly updates the board about the culture of wellbeing, inclusivity, developments concerning diversity, equity and inclusion and opportunity for employees and communities. 

Forward-looking companies strive to achieve carbon neutrality in their operations and foster responsible business practices and social cohesion. In October 2021, The City of London chose Nextech AR Solutions to provide a mini-metaverse experience at Harmony at London Wall Place. The AR-powered interactive artwork and music exhibitions will underscore inclusion as the metaverse will provide easy access to these experiences. It is worth noting that the global smart cities market size touched USD 1,090.64 billion in 2021 and will register a 24.2% CAGR from 2022 to 2030. 

About Astra – ESG Solutions By Grand View Research

Astra is the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) arm of Grand View Research Inc. - a global market research publishing & management consulting firm.

Astra offers comprehensive ESG thematic assessment & scores across diverse impact & socially responsible investment topics, including both public and private companies along with intuitive dashboards. Our ESG solutions are powered by robust fundamental & alternative information. Astra specializes in consulting services that equip corporates and the investment community with the in-depth ESG research and actionable insight they need to support their bottom lines and their values. We have supported our clients across diverse ESG consulting projects & advisory services, including climate strategies & assessment, ESG benchmarking, stakeholder engagement programs, active ownership, developing ESG investment strategies, ESG data services, build corporate sustainability reports. Astra team includes a pool of industry experts and ESG enthusiasts who possess extensive end-end ESG research and consulting experience at a global level.

For more ESG Thematic reports, please visit Astra ESG Solutions, powered by Grand View Research

Mattress Industry ESG: A Comprehensive Guide

The soaring significance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies has encouraged mattress industry players to boost their sustainability quotient. Reporting on non-financial information has become pronounced across business verticals. Stakeholders are poised to take a quantum leap to embed ESG considerations into their portfolios. Companies are championing sleep as an invaluable pillar to underpin the work environment and emphasize talent attraction, equity, diversity and inclusion. Amidst increased responsibilities, demanding schedules and feelings of stress, the addition of ESG pillars to help people foster positive social change and improve health and well-being could provide impetus to an equitable and fair world. 

There has been a palpable trend to recycle and reuse mattresses to minimize waste from landfills. Amidst climate change creating pressure on the planet, well-established players are expected to emphasize minimizing carbon footprint, sourcing raw materials sustainably and using resources more efficiently. Strategic aspirations and priorities could take center stage to provide sustainable sleep solutions. Companies are likely to seek ESG goals to expand their physical and digital footprint and provide customers with seamless products and services. 

Key Companies in this theme

    • Tempur Sealy International, Inc.

    • Serta Simmons Bedding LLC

    • Spring Air International

    • Sleep Number Corp.

    • Kingsdown, Inc.

    • Southerland Sleep

    • Boll & Branch

    • Casper Sleep Inc.

Environmental Perspective

As companies embark on the ambition to be more environmentally friendly and transparent, goals to attain carbon neutrality could receive an uptick with investments in ESG reports. A buoyant environment profile has become paramount to raising the bar for sustainability. In January 2023, Tempur Sealy International revealed its 2023 Corporate Social Values Report noting that it achieved around 3% dip in GHG emissions per unit produced at wholly-owned manufacturing and logistics operations. It kept the sustainable reporting in line with the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework. The American manufacturer of mattresses suggested that 100% of waste was diverted from landfills from the U.S. wholly-owned manufacturing operations as of September 2022, up from 96% during the same month in the preceding year. It also bolstered its commitment to achieving zero landfill waste to include its research and development facilities and corporate offices by 2025. 

Forward-looking companies are exploring opportunities to decarbonize operations and inject funds into boosting energy efficiency. To illustrate, in 2021, Sleep Country Canada rolled out a pilot project at three locations connecting AI-powered technologies to HVAC and lighting equipment at retail locations and warehouses. The company has also bolstered its efforts to minimize landfill waste under the aegis of recycling programs and mattress donations. It claims to have diverted more than 165,000 mattresses and foundations (in 2021) from landfills through recycling or donation. The Canadian retailer company claims around 91% of its mattresses and foundations have sustainable materials. It has also banked on several of its suppliers that use CertiPUR-US-certified mattress foam. The certified foam is made without flame retardants, ozone depleters, lead, mercury, phthalates, formaldehyde and low VOC emissions. Emphasis on environmentally responsible products will provide impetus to the use of sustainable materials, helping stakeholders use resources efficiently. 

Social Perspective

Stakeholders are recognizing the importance of underpinning programs that can bring a paradigm shift in the way corporate philanthropy achieves social performance. Concerted effort on workforce development targeting underemployed groups, and gender discrimination management has provided tailwinds for investors, manufacturers and suppliers. Leading players are poised to observe an inclination for equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, retaining and recruiting talented people from diverse backgrounds and creating a safe work environment. Social performance has become a vital cog in reinforcing brand value and reputation. For instance, Avocado Green Mattress, in its 2021 Impact Report, alluded to developing a nationwide network (in the U.S.) of over 1,000 nonprofit partners, such as rehabilitation centers, local women’s shelters, centers for people with disabilities and refugee centers. The company donated 90% of returned mattresses to shelters and gave away 2% of annual revenue to environmental nonprofits. 

Recognizing performance has become one of the most compelling factors to offer rewards, compensation packages and learning & development training. Key players have included LinkedIn Learning in their toolkits to offer access to thousands of courses to associates. Additionally, equity, diversity and inclusion training has also spurred, creating an aura of strong growth for mattress manufacturers and suppliers. To illustrate, Sleep Country Canada noted that 98% of associates were trained on diversity, harassment and respect in the office, while 24% identified themselves as visible minority leaders. Meanwhile, Tempur Sealy propelled the percentage of U.S. employees who self-identified as a minority to 49%. The prevalence of robust and inclusive culture could place companies vying to propel their ESG portfolios in the driver’s seat. 

Is your business one of participants to the Global Mattress Industry? Contact us for focused consultation around ESG Investing, and help you build sustainable business practices.

Governance Perspective

Lately, good governance and strong ethics & compliance have come into the spotlight to ensure risk management, ESG accountability and performance. Embedding a robust culture of sustainability has become pivotal for buoyant governance standards. An emphasis on fostering corporate behavior, board diversity, anti-competitive practices, tax transparency and eradicating corruption could be the precursor of sound and sustainable governance. In April 2021, Serta Simmons Bedding promoted two major leaders and streamlined the organization’s structure. Venture capitalists, manufacturers and other stakeholders are expected to place bullish measures to address major ESG risks, such as cyber security, talent attraction and retention, reputation and shifting consumer behavior.  

Integration of ESG priorities into the code of conduct has become prevalent across business verticals. Tracking and reporting of possible code violations and strengthening of cyber security could be pronounced. Companies are updating their information security policy, reporting policy and mitigating the ESG risks. Organizations are prioritizing data management and developing strategies that are in accordance with the law of the land and which can keep up with the demands of shareholders, venture capitalists and other major stakeholders. 

The competitive landscape suggests industry players are likely to focus on brand strategies and develop retail partnerships. Industry-leading innovations that can provide customers with increased quality sleep could be the major selling point. To illustrate, in July 2022, Bryte raised USD 20 million under the aegis of Tempur Sealy. With mattresses being trendy, investments and revenue forecasts could be bullish. The global mattress market size is poised to garner significant gain in the ensuing period.

About Astra – ESG Solutions By Grand View Research

Astra is the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) arm of Grand View Research Inc. - a global market research publishing & management consulting firm.

Astra offers comprehensive ESG thematic assessment & scores across diverse impact & socially responsible investment topics, including both public and private companies along with intuitive dashboards. Our ESG solutions are powered by robust fundamental & alternative information. Astra specializes in consulting services that equip corporates and the investment community with the in-depth ESG research and actionable insight they need to support their bottom lines and their values. We have supported our clients across diverse ESG consulting projects & advisory services, including climate strategies & assessment, ESG benchmarking, stakeholder engagement programs, active ownership, developing ESG investment strategies, ESG data services, build corporate sustainability reports. Astra team includes a pool of industry experts and ESG enthusiasts who possess extensive end-end ESG research and consulting experience at a global level.

For more ESG Thematic reports, please visit Astra ESG Solutions, powered by Grand View Research

Veterinary Medicines—a study on 50 Major Medicines with Projected Sales

The prevalence of animal diseases, disorders and illnesses has put the spotlight on veterinary medicines. Farmers and pet owners bank on drugs to keep their animal disease free and healthy. The medicine can also be used to control and monitor zoonotic diseases and maintain livestock food supply. Veterinarians also work in agribusiness to ensure a safe food supply, while also helping farmers boost their productivity. 

The rising allergic disease among dogs has prompted industry leaders to inject funds into research and development programs and product rollouts. In January 2022, Zoetis announced European Commission marketing authorization for Apoquel chewable tablets for dogs. It will help treat pruritus and provide enough time for veterinarians to identify the cause of allergic disease in dogs. The database lists dogs as the most represented targeted species (65%).  

The huge repository of Grand View Research includes competitive insights exhibiting forward-looking companies’ strategic approaches to bolster their market penetration in veterinary medicine. For instance, in 2021, the top four animal health products in Boehringer Ingelheim led to net sales of more than EUR 1,894 million. The final report, along with the database, will deep-dive into the following dynamics:

• Insights on molecules/active ingredients, including Lokivetmab, maleate, Amoxicillin, Selamectin, Pyrantel and Ivermectin.

• Inputs on regulatory approvals, patent information, ASP and competition from generics, among others. 

• Analysis of a diverse portfolio of diagnose products and veterinary medicines. For instance, pharmaceuticals (most represented in the database) account for 72% share of the total products.

• Assessment of anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antibiotics and dermatology products. 

Get your copy or request a free sample of the report “50 Key Veterinary Medicines with Estimated Sales, 2018 – 2022,” collated and published by Grand View Research. 

Key Veterinary Medicine Report Scope

Scope	Details
Brand name	Marketed name of the Product e.g., Simparica/Simparica Trio
INN	Name of the Active Ingredient or Generic Name. The database includes Oclacitinib maleate, Lokivetmab, Selamectin, Amoxicillin, Ivermectin, Pyrantel, and others.
Molecular Weight	Weight of each active ingredient molecule in grams per mole (g/mol)
Company	Name of the Company manufacturing/ marketing the Product. The database includes leading animal health companies such as Zoetis, Virbac, Elanco, and Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
First Approval/ Launch Year	The year that indicates the first ever launch of the product. For example, Apoquel was first launched in 2014 by Zoetis. Note: Most of the products in the database have been launched between 2000 and 2015
Indication	Specifies approved uses of the product. For instance, the database includes products indicated for dermatitis, pain, osteoarthritis, parasitic diseases, bacterial infections, etc.
Type	Specifies the type of the product such as Pharmaceuticals/ Vaccines/ Medicated Feed Additives
Category	Specifies the category or sub-type of the product such as antiparasitic, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and dermatology. Anti-infective products such as antiparasitics, and antibiotics are the most dominant in the database.
Dosage Form	The database includes dosage forms such as injectables, tablets, sprays, and collars, among others.
Target Species	Dogs dominate the database in terms of target species while others include cats and cattle.
Estimated Sales	Specifies global revenue of the product in USD million from 2018 to 2022. The highest revenue generated by a product in 2021 was estimated at about USD 750 million.
ASP (in USD)	Average Selling Price per unit in line with the dosage form
Commercialized/ Available in	Regions/ countries where the product is sold
Patent/ Generics Information	Qualitative information about patents, patent expiry, and generics is provided as per the availability of information. For instance, the patents covering the commercial formulation of a product in the database expire in the U.S. in October 2023 and in Brazil in 2025.
Other Notes	Any other relevant information about the product or any recent initiative covering the product launch, upgrade, etc. For instance, Apoquel by Zoetis is the first Janus kinase inhibitor approved for use in veterinary medicine.
Deliverable Format	MS Excel/ Dashboard

Get more insights from our in-depth market intelligence report “Veterinary Medicine Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Animal Type (Production Animals, Companion Animals), By Product (Biologics, Pharmaceuticals), By Mode Of Delivery, By End-use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030”

About Us

Grand View Research, Inc. is a market research and consulting company that provides off-the-shelf, customized research reports and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and energy. With a deep-seated understanding of varied business environments, Grand View Research provides strategic objective insights.

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A Comprehensive Guide to ESG in 3D Printing Industry

Sustainability priorities of environmental stewardship, workers’ safety, human rights and sound governance have become pronounced in the 3D printing industry. Additive manufacturing (AM) technology and solutions are well-placed to influence global issues and foster improvements through innovations, training, education and carbon footprint reduction. 3D printing, post-COVID-19, has become a game-changer as companies seek to assess the untapped potential of additive manufacturing. Prominently, 3D printing has amassed huge popularity among manufacturers, engineers and designers to keep up with the need for responsible energy consumption. Moreover, recycling, reducing, repurposing, reusing and repairing have ushered innovation in the global landscape. Companies are expected to exhibit product improvements and complement transparency, fairness, regulated, ethical and compliant operations.

3D printed parts and products have become palpable in end-products, including athletic shoes and printed cars. Stakeholders are exhibiting traction for additive manufacturing programs and embracing the responsibility to enhance lives and protect the environment. Exponential growth in digitization and a paradigm shift witnessed in the energy transition towards renewables have redefined the 3D printing landscape. Additive manufacturing could be instrumental in aerospace, manufacturing, automotive and healthcare sectors to reduce lead time, and material cost, leverage on-site production and underpin growth with sustainability targets. Amidst surging pressure to address supply chain issues and keep up with energy efficiency needs, industry players could explore opportunities in 3D printing. 

Key Companies in this theme

    • Stratasys, Ltd

    • Materialise

    • EnvisionTec Inc

    • 3D Systems Inc

    • GE Additive

    • Autodesk Inc

    • Canon Inc.

Discover more regarding the practices and strategies being implemented by industry participants from the 3D Printing Industry ESG Thematic Report, 2023, published by Astra ESG Solutions

Environmental Perspective 

A notable shift towards AM technologies could lead to less energy consumption, reduced waste, optimized and enhanced supply chains and more recycling. In July 2021, eight companies joined the bandwagon to be part of the Additive Manufacturer Green Trade Association (AMGTA) to educate and promote the green upsides of 3D printing. Similarly, in May 2022, the global trade organization announced that 20 member companies received the 2022 Sustainability Awards. AM technologies are expected to boost environmentally friendly methods of manufacturing, mainly attributed to the innate ability to manufacture closer to the point of need, minimize material consumption and redesign parts to reduce energy consumption and weight. 

Pioneering products, services and state-of-the-art technologies are unlocking opportunities and measuring sustainability metrics in line with ESG goals. The trend has become prevalent and prompted stakeholders to inject funds into sustainability portfolios. In December 2020, 3D Systems announced the rollout of its ESG initiative, bolstering its commitment to leveraging AM solutions for a host of applications. Companies are poised to advocate for sustainable technologies that will help minimize carbon emissions and eradicate waste. Notably, AM uses merely the material required to produce the final part, thereby playing an invaluable role in bolstering sustainability. 

Social Perspective

3D printing has come on the horizon as a vital cog in fostering employees’ health and safety and social programs, including entrepreneurship and STEAM education. In April 2022, it was reported that Stratasys offered access to dozens of 3D printers and funded the FIRST Robotics Competition for high school students. The company also introduced the “learning by making” program with Jerusalem Municipality, spanning across state-religious, independent-religious, state-secular and Arab schools. Additionally, the company was reported to be resilient amidst havoc wracked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Stratasys inferred in its 2020-2021 ESG and Sustainability Report that it reduced the work to 80% capacity till the end of 2020. It helped them do away with the pandemic-induced layoffs. The company offered mental health seminars on depression, social connections and loneliness. Besides, it organized an in-person summer camp in 2021 to provide fun and relief to the teams and their families.

Stakeholders have furthered their focus on diversity to add value for shareholders, employees and customers. In doing so, embracing diverse teams could propel an inclusive culture and complement employees’ unique identities, experiences and backgrounds. For instance, in 2021, GE updated a few voluntary self-identification categories and selections pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity (based on employee feedback). The company asserted in its 2021 Diversity Annual Report that around 3.7% of its U.S. employees identified themselves as having a disability, while over 10% of the U.S. employees are military veterans. Amidst call for equal pay for all, GE is gearing to attain 100% pay equity in each of its businesses.

Is your business one of participants of the Global 3D Printing Industry? Contact us for focused consultation around ESG Investing, and help you build sustainable business practices.

Governance Perspective

Stakeholders demand greater traceability and transparency as companies seek to build trust with customers, communities, investors and other parties. Corporate governance has come to the fore as an invaluable pillar to running a business sustainably. Additive manufacturing companies are expected to devote attention to corporate governance policies, and guidelines and invest in data-driven products and solutions. Leading players are emphasizing independent leadership for a robust compliance and internal controls with applicable laws, policies and regulations. Notably, Autodesk infers in its 2022 Impact Report that 90% of its Board of Directors are independent, while 50% are women. 

Stakeholders are counting on AI and ML to streamline the business. Forward-looking companies anticipate additive manufacturing to foster logistics systems and bolster resilience through the incorporation of environmental and social aspects. Leading players are likely to prioritize sustainability reporting frameworks to further organizations’ governance disclosure. In essence, GE offers disclosure as per SASB standards and provides climate-related disclosures in line with the TCFD framework. For instance, the organization has been disclosing how it assesses, identifies and manages climate-related risks. Meanwhile, Eaton has set an audacious target (2030 Sustainability Target) of over 50% enhancements in safety metrics, disclose U.S. minority and global gender pay equity assurance results, and ensure no human rights violation from major suppliers. It has also set report priority issues in line with TCFD and SASB requirements. The company asserted that around 65% of its net sales stemmed from sustainable solutions in 2021. 

As 3D printing brings a seismic shift in the global landscape, stakeholders are gearing to augment their leadership position in ESG. In doing so, prominent manufacturers and suppliers are poised to inject funds into organic and inorganic growth strategies. To illustrate, in November 2022, Stratasys announced the pouring of USD 10 million in Axial3D, wherein both companies will render a joint offering to provide the accessibility of patient-specific 3D printing solutions for medical device manufacturers and hospitals. Prevailing trends indicate the global 3D printing market size could register an impressive CAGR of 20.8% from 2022 through 2030. Industry dynamics suggest sustainability priorities will witness an upward growth trajectory with a focus on, including but not limited to, people-first strategies, innovation, climate actions and transparency. 

About Astra – ESG Solutions By Grand View Research

Astra is the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) arm of Grand View Research Inc. - a global market research publishing & management consulting firm.

Astra offers comprehensive ESG thematic assessment & scores across diverse impact & socially responsible investment topics, including both public and private companies along with intuitive dashboards. Our ESG solutions are powered by robust fundamental & alternative information. Astra specializes in consulting services that equip corporates and the investment community with the in-depth ESG research and actionable insight they need to support their bottom lines and their values. We have supported our clients across diverse ESG consulting projects & advisory services, including climate strategies & assessment, ESG benchmarking, stakeholder engagement programs, active ownership, developing ESG investment strategies, ESG data services, build corporate sustainability reports. Astra team includes a pool of industry experts and ESG enthusiasts who possess extensive end-end ESG research and consulting experience at a global level.

For more ESG Thematic reports, please visit Astra ESG Solutions, powered by Grand View Research

Why ESG is Key to the Future of Cloud Computing Industry

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance has become invaluable in minimizing carbon footprint, boosting waste management and enhancing board diversity in the cloud computing industry. The rising footprint of cloud services across healthcare, automotive, media, gaming, financial services, public services and e-commerce has furthered the need to bolster the sustainability profile. Brands are expected to use AR/VR, edge computing, big data, blockchain and cloud-native technologies to foster brand recognition, complement sound corporate behavior and bolster sustainable investing. 

ESG strategies have gained prominence in the wake of surging environmental awareness and consumers’ willingness to pay premium prices for sustainable products. Environmentally and socially conscious practices have become prevalent to attract and retain investors and customers. Cloud computing service providers have exhibited profound traction to expedite their ESG progress. For instance, the Google Cloud Platform offers carbon-free energy scores for Google Cloud regions, enabling companies to choose GCP locations optimized for reduced carbon emissions. 

Key Companies in this theme

    • Adobe Inc.

    • Alibaba Group Holding Limited

    • Amazon.com Inc.

    • Google LLC

    • International Business Machines Corporation

    • Microsoft Corporation 

    • Toshiba Corporation

Discover more regarding the practices and strategies being implemented by industry participants in the Cloud Computing Industry ESG Thematic Report, 2023, published by Astra ESG Solutions

Environmental Perspective

The global push to meet sustainability goals has prompted forward-looking organizations to achieve their ESG objectives. Industry leaders are inclined to use green equipment in data centers to minimize power consumption. Moreover, businesses are expected to receive impetus from recycling and reuse to reduce waste and capital expenditure. In essence, Google suggests that 5 of its data centers operate at almost 90% carbon-free energy (CFE). With data centers continuing to be sought-after in the energy transition, sustainable cloud services will witness investments galore. In August 2021, the American giant announced an infusion of USD 1.2 billion in Germany’s Cloud Computing Program by 2030 to undergird cloud computing infrastructure and renewable energy usage. 

Social Perspective

Diversity representation and the emphasis on inclusivity have become a viable portfolio to foster a positive change within the company and across societies. Prominently, women account for over 30% of the Microsoft workforce globally. Moreover, women in technical roles have risen between 1.4 and 1.6% points over the past half a decade. It has also embarked on a mission to represent the population of people with disabilities. As of June 2022, around 7.8% of the Microsoft employees in the core business in the U.S. self-identified as having a disability. With the global push to propel racial equity, the company has injected around USD 150 million to reinforce inclusion and the number of U.S. Black and African American and Hispanic and Latinx people managers, senior leaders and senior individual contributors by 2025. An emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion will redefine computing solutions and help employees be more innovative and creative. 

Is your business one of participants to the Global Cloud Computing Industry? Contact us for focused consultation around ESG Investing, and help you build sustainable business practices.

Governance Perspective

Cloud-based management can unlock avenues of growth in ESG with increased transparency, data standardization, and process automation. Tax transparency, board diversity, executive pay, and sound governance structure will leverage companies to create long-term value. Brands and institutions have fostered governance frameworks and brought new skills and global perspectives. To put this in perspective, eleven out of 12 director nominees are independent in IBM. Meanwhile, two women directors and three ethnically diverse directors were included in the past three years, according to the IBM 2021 ESG report. The American giant has an Audit committee to help identify financial and audit risks with the assistance of IBM’s enterprise management framework about AI ethics, privacy and cyber. Development of practices and policies that emphasize transparency, trust, ethics and accountability could be pronounced, auguring well for the industry growth. 

The competitive landscape indicates an increased focus on organic and inorganic strategies, such as technological advancements, product offerings, mergers & acquisitions, innovations and collaborations. For instance, in October 2022, Alibaba announced opening a new campus with investments in cloud computing. The design of the campus is reportedly eco-friendly, including flowerpots made from recycled plastic, a photovoltaic power generation system and high-efficiency low-energy devices in the on-site coffee shop. The global cloud computing market size was pegged at USD 368.97 billion in 2021 and could observe a 15.7% CAGR between 2022 and 2030. 

About Astra – ESG Solutions By Grand View Research

Astra is the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) arm of Grand View Research Inc. - a global market research publishing & management consulting firm.

Astra offers comprehensive ESG thematic assessment & scores across diverse impact & socially responsible investment topics, including both public and private companies along with intuitive dashboards. Our ESG solutions are powered by robust fundamental & alternative information. Astra specializes in consulting services that equip corporates and the investment community with the in-depth ESG research and actionable insight they need to support their bottom lines and their values. We have supported our clients across diverse ESG consulting projects & advisory services, including climate strategies & assessment, ESG benchmarking, stakeholder engagement programs, active ownership, developing ESG investment strategies, ESG data services, build corporate sustainability reports. Astra team includes a pool of industry experts and ESG enthusiasts who possess extensive end-end ESG research and consulting experience at a global level.

For more ESG Thematic reports, please visit Astra ESG Solutions, powered by Grand View Research

The Importance of ESG in the Specialty Chemicals Industry

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) portfolio strategies have become paramount for specialty chemicals manufacturers. An increased emphasis on sustainability could open avenues of organic growth to serve as a foundation for strong financial performance. With specialty chemicals witnessing bullish demand across industry verticals, the challenges and opportunities have become more pronounced pertaining to sustainability, health & safety and governance policies. These trends have made ESG a top priority for boards, venture capitalists, investors and other stakeholders.

Chemical companies are well-positioned to inject funds into sustainability initiatives, including hydrogen production and advanced recycling. Companies have also shown traction for near-zero emissions, net-zero emissions and carbon neutrality by 2050. With chemical companies being held accountable for sourcing raw materials sustainably, investments in bullish ESG practices will gain ground. Moreover, the prevalence of stringent environmental regulation has furthered the prominence of sustainability. For instance, specialty chemicals produced from waste materials, including furfural from biomass and polyols from waste gas could gain ground to recycle waste into products.

Financial and non-financial performances pertaining to ESG have become pronounced. Prominently, specialty chemical companies are gearing up to boost health & safety and environmental stewardship. Corporate players are overcoming challenges on the back of diversity and sound corporate governance. ESG strategies adopted by leading companies are elucidated below:

Environmental Perspective

Global push to minimize emissions, waste management, water management and underpin biodiversity has ramped up investments in the environmental strategy. Specialty chemicals companies grapple with waste, toxicity and pollution, compelling them to face litigation or liabilities. Chemical producers have exhibited increased traction to be in line with the objectives of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

Climate reporting has become pronounced with the growing adoption of TCFD. Furthermore, well-established players have set a bullish target to combat climate change. For instance, Evonik aims to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2025 (compared to the 2008 level). It also vies to minimize scope 3 emissions from the upstream value chain by 15% by 2025 (compared with 2020 base). The Germany-headquartered company has also earmarked sites that would be most affected by water stress in the next two decades. It contemplates 5% reduction of absolute energy consumption and energy consumption relative to production by 2025.

Is your business one of participants to the Specialty Chemicals Industry? Contact us for focused consultation around ESG Investing, and help you build sustainable business practices

Social Perspective

Companies that are working towards the development and well-being of people and emphasize an inclusive working environment are expected to stay ahead of their competitors. A robust ESG practice also demands hiring and engagement practices that complement employee diversity. Nova Chemicals is gearing up to rev up the representation of women across all levels of the organization to 30% by 2030. The Canada-based company is vying for a 10% surge in diversity across all levels and a 5% rise in representation of people of color in leadership by 2030 (from 2020 baseline).

Notably, the development of a strong talent pipeline and emphasis on training can underscore the social pillar. Chemical companies have also shown a bullish approach to safety through the establishment of a safety culture, promotion of safety awareness, interaction and implementation of hazard recognition training and learning policies. For instance, Nova asserts its employees recorded over 57,000 safety interactions while working from home or at the workplace. Safety programs and vision to achieve zero injuries are expected to reinforce the core values of ESG.

Governance Perspective

A company's corporate behavior, board diversity, anti-competitive practices, transparency and business ethics are the precursor to sound and effective governance. Strong corporate governance practices have become instrumental to underscore the value of the company and ensure efficient use of resources. In essence, the Supervisory Board at BASF has at least 50% members from various professional experiences and educational backgrounds. Furthermore, the company is on course to propel the representation of women in leadership positions to 30% by 2030 with disciplinary responsibility.  It has also furthered its approach to anti-money laundering to foster transparent business relationships. Besides, concerted efforts to protect sensitive information, including Know-how and prevent misuse or unauthorized disclosure have also gained ground across the business vertical.

The integration of sustainability into strategic management and the inclusion of social and environmental aspects in the portfolio will reshape the global landscape. These dynamics are expected to encourage key players to ramp up their ESG efforts. To illustrate, in August 2021, Evonik issued €500 million (USD 543 million) to bolster its sustainability portfolio. It reportedly published Green Finance Framework and is striving to minimize its ecological footprint. Prevailing trends suggest the specialty chemicals market size garnered USD 586.5 billion in 2020 and could witness around 4.3% CAGR from 2021 through 2028. Grand View Research expects promising growth opportunities for companies with an emphasis on sustainability.

About Astra – ESG Solutions by Grand View Research

Astra is the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) arm of Grand View Research Inc. - a global market research publishing & management consulting firm.

Astra offers comprehensive ESG thematic assessment & scores across diverse impact & socially responsible investment topics, including both public and private companies along with intuitive dashboards. Our ESG solutions are powered by robust fundamental & alternative information. Astra specializes in consulting services that equip corporates and the investment community with the in-depth ESG research and actionable insight they need to support their bottom lines and their values. We have supported our clients across diverse ESG consulting projects & advisory services, including climate strategies & assessment, ESG benchmarking, stakeholder engagement programs, active ownership, developing ESG investment strategies, ESG data services, build corporate sustainability reports. Astra team includes a pool of industry experts and ESG enthusiasts who possess extensive end-end ESG research and consulting experience at a global level.

For more ESG Thematic reports, please visit Astra ESG Solutions, powered by Grand View Research

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Devices—a deep-dive on How Athletics Trend Redefines Digital Health

Athletes have exhibited immense traction in tracking glucose levels continuously. So much so that CGM technology has become sought-after to see how their training and food influence their blood glucose levels all the time. The advanced CGM devices enable consumers to make diet and training decisions to help boost their performance. There have been instances in the past of the National Football League (NFL) using CGM devices. Some well-established brands, such as Abbott (Libre Sense), Supersapiens and Nutrisense, have furthered their penetration to tap into the global market. 

Sports and fitness enthusiasts have joined the bandwagon to enhance their fitness performance. It is worth mentioning that CGM is less invasive and some devices can be connected to Bluetooth, making the product highly popular among amateur and professional athletes. Grand View Research is gearing up to add OTC CGM devices used in non-diabetes applications and their impact on the blood glucose monitoring device market in its repository. The final report, coupled with the database, will emphasize the following dynamics:

• Opportunities for CGM manufacturers and analytics service providers

• Trends that can influence the prospect and application of CGM devices in fitness enthusiasts and diabetic patients.

• Insights on Medicare and Medicaid coverage.

• CGMs pricing among athletes and patients.

Get your copy or request a free sample of the report “A Study On New Vertical Growth Opportunities for Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices,” compiled and published by Grand View Research. 

Vertical Growth Opportunities for CGM Devices Report Scope

Attribute	Details
Patient Demographics	Total Population People with diabetes People with undiagnosed diabetes Deaths attributable to diabetes Sport enthusiasts Number of athletes
Pricing	Pricing for CGMs in diabetic patients vs Athletes
Reimbursement Differences	Coverage for Medicare and Medicaid
Regions	North America U.S. Canada Europe UK Germany France Italy Spain Denmark Sweden Norway Asia Pacific Japan China India Australia Thailand South Korea Latin America Brazil Mexico Argentina MEA South Africa Saudi Arabia UAE Kuwait

Get more insights from our in-depth market intelligence report “Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Component (Transmitters, Sensors, Receivers), By End-use (Hospitals, Home Care), By Connectivity, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030”

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