UL Explores Five Sustainability Trends Among Businesses in Asia

UL, a global safety science company, has helped companies adopt more sustainable practices for more than 10 years. In a new white paper, Five Sustainability Trends for Businesses in Asia, UL explores five sustainability trends that are impacting businesses across Asia as they pursue measures in accordance with the UN SDGs.

Adopted by 193 countries in 2015, the UN Sustainable Development Goals outline 17 objectives designed to end extreme poverty, reduce inequality and protect the planet by 2030. Companies worldwide are aligning their sustainability plans to take their part in advancing these critical objectives. In fact, 72% of companies mentioned the SDGs in their reporting, according to PwC.3 This has driven companies to pursue a variety of sustainability initiatives that demonstrate progress toward global sustainability goals:

• Convergence of green and wellness in building standards – Support of human health and wellness is increasingly a priority among businesses. By ensuring indoor environments offer good air quality and other wellness features, companies protect occupants and increase productivity.
• Driving insights and performance from environmental data – Growing demand from green investors, consumers and regulatory agencies alike calls for companies to advance their sustainability reporting. Comprehensive reporting from across the organization is quickly becoming commonplace.
• Innovation optimizes manufacturing processes – In the midst of increasing urbanization and a growing global population, we face particular urgency for effective waste management solutions. Companies will continue to advance this effort with rigorous verification of recycling and other waste diversion strategies.
• Rise of the circular economy – With e-waste expected to reach 52.2 million metric tons by 2021, according to the Global W-waste Monitor, there is growing pressure to achieve more responsible consumption and production through circular business models. Companies will continue to pursue innovative circular models that will prove sustainable in the new economy.
• The advent of carbon regulations – As more countries introduce carbon regulations in an effort to mitigate climate change, businesses will work to increase their carbon emissions reporting.

“We are excited to see leading businesses in Asia introducing these sustainability efforts into their strategy, reporting and daily operations. As local companies expand their sustainability efforts and report on progress toward the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, UL will be here to offer the expertise, solutions and support to help them on their journey,” said Alberto Uggetti, vice president and general manager of UL’s environment and sustainability division.

UL is a leader in science-based safety and sustainability solutions and manages some of the most respected and rigorous sustainability programs in the world, including UL GREENGUARD for low-emitting products and UL ECOLOGO, a certification for products that achieve reduced environmental impact and sustainability software and reporting tools, such as UL’s 360 Software and Turbo Carbon(TM). UL supports companies worldwide with solutions that build transparency and trust through testing, inspection and certification.

UL helps create a better world by applying science to solve safety, security and sustainability challenges. We empower trust by enabling the safe adoption of innovative new products and technologies. Everyone at UL shares a passion to make the world a safer place. All of our work, from independent research and standards development, to testing and certification, to providing analytical and digital solutions, helps improve global well-being. Businesses, industries, governments, regulatory authorities and the public put their trust in us so they can make smarter decisions. To learn more, visit UL.com. To learn more about our nonprofit activities, visit UL.org.

Cr.PRNewswire/InfoQuest