Roadmapping Sustainability: Paving the way for Eco-friendly Electronics

Estimated reading time: 1 minute

In light of ongoing climate challenges, the electronics industry is poised for a transformative shift driven by heightened consumer and corporate awareness of sustainable practices and circularity. iNEMI (International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative) enlisted the help of the electronics industry to roadmap that transformation in electronics manufacturing. This article provides an overview of the resulting sustainable electronics roadmap and how to get involved.

The coming transition to sustainable electronics is in both technology and market structure and must address the three Ps of sustainability:

• Planet: Environmental sustainability for minimizing emissions, including greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing resource usage, and protecting biodiversity.
• People: Social sustainability addressing human rights, social justice and equality.
• Prosperity: Economic sustainability, managing resources and systems in a way that supports long-term economic growth.

The shift is catalyzed by various factors, including stringent regulations, consumer demand for eco-friendly products, and the realization that the traditional linear model of electronics production and disposal is no longer tenable.

Government policy and regulation is just one element informing corporate approaches to sustainability. Instead, there is a broader range of key stakeholders:

Consumers/service suppliers
Increasingly aligning their purchasing decisions with their values for a greener future.

Shareholders
Increasingly motivated by a combination of ethical, financial, and strategic drivers. Regulatory compliance and near-term profitability are just starting points:

• From an ethical standpoint, shareholders recognize the need to align their investments with principles of responsible consumption and production.
• For long-term financial profitability, embracing sustainable electronics enables suppliers to tap into new market segments and cater to the burgeoning demand from environmentally conscious consumers.
• Strategically, shareholders also recognize that visibly supporting sustainability enhances brand reputation and fosters innovation in product design and manufacturing.

Government/regulatory agencies
Driven by a pressing need to address the environmental and societal challenges posed by scarce resource access, e-waste, and the broader impact of electronics on the environment.

Read the rest of this article in the Winter 2025 issue of IPC Community.