If our goal is to mitigate, or even reverse, the effects of human activity on the planet, then we all need to strive for better resource efficiency and biodiversity conservation. After decades of considering environmental performance as second priority, the energy and natural resources industry urgently needs to regain the trust of communities, project stakeholders and funding partners.
Using digital technologies to provide transparency through real-time environmental information can help the industry improve its reputation and rebuild trust. The digital movement happening worldwide is influencing the way we do things and the way we think, both strategically and operationally. Data is the foundation for sound decision making, and well-managed digital transformation opens the door to many untapped opportunities. Real-time data sharing must now be included in all new industrial projects and added to existing operations. As the practice becomes more widespread, it will become a standard that communities expect.
Providing raw data in real time changes the corporate-public communications model. It opens the door to dialogue and feedback, while empowering community actors to hold companies accountable for taking swift action when needed. It also allows companies to track environmental data and respond with effective measures before the public sounds the alarm. While real-time environmental data sharing is intended to be just one part of a broader ESG strategy, it’s a concrete measure that companies can implement today.
However, for many organizations, the ever-accelerating pace of the industry’s transformation and the complexity and volume of available data is what prevents them from understanding and acting on our economy’s sustainability needs. At BBA, by combining our technical know-how with our strategic business sense, we help clients:
SOQUEM, a subsidiary of Investissement Québec, is a leader in Québec’s mineral exploration industry. The organization wanted to increase its digital maturity and move over to Industry 4.0. Its priorities included structuring its project data and standardizing its management, automating internal processes and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
GHGES Marine Solutions is an SME that specializes in energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction for the maritime sector. The company wanted a data acquisition device for fishing vessels, the Marentrack Inc. system, to collect information from maritime equipment, like fuel consumption and vessel speed, archive this data locally and transmit a copy using an Internet of Things (IoT) platform.
Tata Steel operates an open-pit iron mine about 20 kilometres northwest of Schefferville. Located on the border between Québec and Newfoundland and Labrador, the mining facilities are subject to regulations under both provinces. Since the government of Newfoundland and Labrador adopted a carbon pricing program in 2018, Tata Steel management asked BBA, a trusted supplier, to help them understand requirements and develop a strategy for reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The program requires companies to adopt GHG emission reduction targets, coupled with financial incentives.