A strategic blueprint to turbocharge your sustainability transformation

Alfee Lee, Group Managing Director ASEAN and India at Fujitsu

Singapore's sustainability journey is at a critical juncture. 

As a small, low-lying city-state, Singapore faces significant risks from climate change, such as rising sea levels, intense rainfall, prolonged dry spells, and other extreme weather conditions. 

With the government seeking public feedback on new climate targets to create positive business and social impact for 2035, the urgency for businesses to accelerate their sustainability transformation has never been greater.

Recognised by IDC as a “pacesetter,” Singapore is transforming into a hub of sustainable business practice and economic growth. By 2024, 35% of Asia Pacific and Japan (APEJ) organisations will leverage AI to move beyond basic ESG (environmental, social and governance) reporting, according to the IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Sustainability/ESG 2024 Predictions — Asia/Pacific (Excluding Japan) Implications.

This presents strategic opportunities for organisations to harness the power of technology to reshape their business models, drive innovation, and secure a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving global landscape. 

This is a call for immediate and comprehensive change to accelerate sustainability transformation: we must act fast and we must act now.

Despite the growing momentum of sustainability transformation in Asia Pacific, 67% of organisations are still at the early stages of sustainability maturity, according to IDC's Global Sustainability Readiness Index Survey 2023. The pace of sustainability transformation is too slow, hindered by challenges in people, process, and technology.

At Fujitsu ActivateNow Southeast Asia 2024, we explored a powerful, three-pronged approach to navigating this crucial transition, ensuring every part of your organisation – people, process, and technology – are optimised for your business and sustainability goals. 

1. Empowering people through innovation

People are the engine of any successful transformation. 

Fujitsu surveyed 800 executives across 15 countries for our report: “Accelerating sustainability transformation with AI”. The study reveals a critical insight: 70% of business leaders believe that people and AI will enhance each other’s capabilities, with 66% expecting AI to improve performance whilst retaining their employees. 

Technologies such as AI empower employees with the tools and insights needed to drive meaningful change.

For example, AI-powered video behaviour analytics can have the transformative potential of enhancing workplace safety and well-being. 

One of the compelling use cases of how this technology can empower people at workplaces is overseeing forklift operations. Companies face significant safety risks in this area, including accidents and compliance challenges. Fujitsu's Vision AI solution can monitor forklift operations, detect unsafe behaviours, provide real-time alerts, and analyse data for safety improvements

This will help predict potential hazards before they occur, which means fewer accidents, better compliance, increased efficiency, and smarter, data-driven safety practices in the workplace. 

This is a tangible example of how technology can improve safety and productivity, creating a more efficient and engaging work environment.

2. Streamlining processes for sustainability

Robust, efficient processes are the foundation of a successful sustainability strategy. It's about integrating sustainability considerations into every aspect of your operations, supported by individual commitment and integrated process governance.

Organisations that use technology to automate process can generate significant cost savings and unlock new revenue opportunities in the green economy. 

UBE Group (Thailand), a leader in the Thai chemical industry, is a standout example of how optimising business process can improve business resilience and lead to long-term sustainable growth. 

The company faced challenges of fierce competition and increasing customer demands, and it turned to Fujitsu to help drive its digital transformation.  

Fujitsu has adopted our “Design Thinking for Innovation Project Design” approach and worked with UBE Group (Thailand) to brainstorm, identify problems, and develop the robotic process automation (RPA) solution. This enabled UBE Group to automate repetitive tasks that were previously handled manually and greatly improved its operational efficiency. 

The UBE Group’s digital transformation has yielded impressive results. It has increased the efficiency of workflow by up to 64%, reducing working hours from 192 to just 68 hours per day. The company has also reduced the use of paper and printing costs by up to 30%, cementing its position as a sustainability transformation leader in the industry.  

3. Harnessing technology for environmental impact

At Fujitsu, we believe innovations in digital technologies can helps businesses become more resilient to change and stay on track to meet sustainability goals.

Fujitsu’s “Accelerating sustainability transformation with AI” report uncovers that 76% of business leaders agree that digital transformation will contribute to the success of their sustainability efforts. 

Botanical Water Technologies’ success story highlights how technology can facilitate innovative solutions to pressing environmental challenges.

Botanical Water Technologies uses its own technology to harvest, filter, and purify water during food production. However, it needed a blockchain platform to securely and transparently trade water.

Fujitsu's Track and Trust service, powered by blockchain technology, provided the solution. By ensuring end-to-end transparency and traceability, this solution enabled secure trading of Botanical Water Technologies’ water, creating a new, responsible market.

Act now: Integrating sustainability into your business strategy 

IDC's Global Sustainability Readiness Index Survey 2023 shows that companies embracing sustainability transformations achieve a 50% increase in operational efficiency and cost savings. Additionally:

• 40% of these businesses see improved access to capital or a reduction in capital costs;
• 39% report improved supplier relations and enhanced brand reputation; and
• 37% have mitigated the risks associated with unsustainable practices, maintaining a competitive edge in a rapidly changing market.

The insights from Fujitsu ActivateNow Southeast 2024 highlight a clear path forward: a holistic approach integrating people, processes, and technology. 

By empowering your workforce, optimising your operations, and leveraging cutting-edge technology, you can not only meet Singapore's sustainability mandates but also unlock significant competitive advantages. 

Fujitsu is committed to this journey, driving innovation for a sustainable future. We offer expertise in technology, data security, digital experience, and sustainability transformation to help you stay ahead. 

Don't wait. Schedule a consultation today and supercharge your sustainability strategy: https://www.fujitsu.com/global/microsite/fan-apac-2024/#contact-us