Jo Gibert

Balancing sustainability with rising energy costs isn’t a trade-off, but a discipline. Energy is a major operational cost for manufacturers, so using it more efficiently is one of the most practical ways to support sustainability and competitiveness.

The starting point is reducing the energy required per unit of output through smarter processes, modern infrastructure, and better visibility across operations. But efficiency alone isn’t enough without data. Organisations need consistent, comparable information on energy use to identify waste, spot inefficiencies, and track progress over time. Technologies such as IoT sensors can provide the real-time visibility needed to turn energy consumption into actionable insights. Without measurement, cost control and sustainability strategies fall short.

Longer term, increasing the use of renewable energy will be key to cutting emissions and reducing exposure to volatile energy prices. However, the right approach will depend on site conditions, grid access, and local energy availability. That means the solution will look different across facilities and markets, but the principle remains the same: measure accurately, improve efficiency first, and then integrate cleaner energy where it makes commercial sense.

Manufacturers should treat energy performance as a core operational priority, using it to strengthen resilience, control costs, and support long-term competitiveness.

Jo Gibert

Technology Director, GSMA