Page 6 - Industrial Technology July 2021

INDUSTRY

UPDATE...

Manufacturing resilience key in

driving recovery towards net zero

A REPORT FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY MANUFACTURING GROUP OUTLINES HOW UK MANUFACTURING CAN
LEAD THE WAY OUT OF THE COVID-19 RECESSION AND DELIVER ON OUR NET ZERO TARGETS. BUT A KEY
CONCLUSION IN THE REPORT IS THAT GOVERNMENT SUPPORT WILL BE NEEDED TO MAKE IT HAPPEN

ecognising the work of the government’s Made efficiency – ie increasing the value derived from every A more devolved and employer-led system would ensure
Smarter pilot in supporting the sector to go tonne of material, litre of water, and kilowatt of energy that that these skills are developed where they are needed
digital, and learning from companies that have goes into the production process. Alongside this, most and the Government’s proposals for reform of
Rgone further and through an entrepreneurial businesses cited robust supply chains and digital technical education and training provide an opportunity to
approach have pivoted to achieve successes
despite the pandemic downturn, a new report
by the Manufacturing Commission – the
research arm of the All-Party Parliamentary
Manufacturing Group (APMG) – makes the
principal recommendation that the Made
Smarter pilot programme should be
expanded to encompass resilience and net
zero, and to be rolled out nationally so as to
level up industry in all regions. This david.b@atlas.co.uk
expanded remit would foster best practice in
resource efficiency and supply chain
management, promote on-shoring where
practical, and facilitate the transition to a circular technology as the biggest factors in successfully adapting deliver these changes. Inquiry Vice-Chair, Mark Pawsey
economy. to disruption. Building resilience will be crucial in helping MP, commented: “As a member of the BEIS Committee, I
Measures to build resilience and enable the transition to mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis. Improving am aware of the challenges that the manufacturing sector
to a globally competitive and sustainable manufacturing energy and resource efficiency can help businesses reduce has faced over the last eighteen months.
sector, a critical element for the UK economy to achieve their exposure to price volatility and insulate themselves “However, with the right help from Government, it will
net zero, are urgent and achievable. Simply by matching against supply-side shocks. These actions also present an be possible for the sector to recover from the pandemic
the most efficient operator in their sector, manufacturing opportunity to decarbonise and embrace the circular and become more resilient to external shocks, whilst
companies, on average, would be 24% more profitable, economy, especially as consumption of raw materials reducing greenhouse gas emissions. I am pleased to have
would generate 30% more jobs, and would report a 9% accounts for around 19% of carbon emissions globally. been part of this important inquiry by the Manufacturing
reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The report calls for urgent action to close skills gaps, Commission, which has drawn on a wide range of
The Commission found that businesses that fared best which exist throughout the sector and will delay evidence from business, academia, and the third
through the pandemic had prioritised non-labour development of the technology required to meet net zero. sector.”

6 INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY • July 2021