On the day that the IPCC delivered its most ominous warning on climate change yet, some climate experts instead opted to caution the global population against fatalism.
The University of Oxford’s Dr Friederike Otto, one of the damning IPCC climate report's authors, banged the drums of optimism in saying that humanity is not doomed to its fate and that lowering global warming would “minimise the likelihood of hitting” climate change tipping points.
According to the IPCC, avoiding the devastating effects of climate change will require “rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes” across society, and a more sustainable and equitable world would likely “go hand in hand” with limiting global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
While today comes as another major wake-up call to the world’s policymakers, many businesses are already playing their part in cutting their environmental impact and believe that a difference can be made if others follow suit and change is implemented across society at large as the IPCC urges.
IceMOS Technology, a company which has established itself as a world-class provider cost effective/high performance Super Junction MOSFETs, MEMS solutions and Advanced Engineering Substrates, is a firm that takes its environmental responsibilities extremely seriously.
In its environmental policy statement, IceMOS Technology declares that sustainable operations form an integral part of the overall business, adding that the company is “committed to maintaining and improving environmental practices where possible”.
IceMOS Technology also regularly seeks to improve its practices by continually reviewing the areas of its business which could have a negative effect on the environment. This includes regular assessments of the performance and efficiency of manufacturing processes.
Acting decisively in the wake of such reviews is something the firm has always sought to do, and it will be critical if the business is to continue to pull its weight in the fight against climate change.
IceMOS’ environmental statement reads: “By assessing the performance of our manufacturing processes, IceMOS identify where further improvements can be made to lower our carbon footprint as a company. To ensure this policy is put into practice we take a systematic approach to Environmental Management, covering all its activities, products and services.”
The business also strives to limit its environmental impact by minimising waste output and ensuring all materials used in its processes are sustainably sourced.
“Using a lean manufacturing philosophy, IceMOS focuses on waste minimisation that benefits the environment. Striving to use silicon materials, electricity, and water as efficiently as possible, our environmental considerations are factored in at every process step to encourage continuous improvement.”
A key part of IceMOS’ philosophy is also to raise awareness among its workforce of the importance of minimising its carbon footprint, to improve understanding of the need for sustainable operation and also to encourage them to live their day to day lives in a more sustainable way.
“Ensuring that all IceMOS personnel are aware of their individual responsibilities to support the environmental policy, waste reduction remains a key aspect in everyday production at IceMOS”, the firm explains.
If the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement are to remain within reach and the devastating effects of further climate change avoided, it will require more and more major players within industry to take a similar course of action to IceMOS. At such a delicate stage where the battle is neither won nor lost, it will take a gargantuan effort from all to avoid further risk to life.
