2021 IEEE International Symposium on High-Performance Computer Architecture (HPCA), 2021
Given recent algorithm, software, and hardware innovation, computing has enabled a plethora of ne... more Given recent algorithm, software, and hardware innovation, computing has enabled a plethora of new applications. As computing becomes increasingly ubiquitous, however, so does its environmental impact. This paper brings the issue to the attention of computer-systems researchers. Our analysis, built on industry-reported characterization, quantifies the environmental effects of computing in terms of carbon emissions. Broadly, carbon emissions have two sources: operational energy consumption, and hardware manufacturing and infrastructure. Although carbon emissions from the former are decreasing thanks to algorithmic, software, and hardware innovations that boost performance and power efficiency, the overall carbon footprint of computer systems continues to grow. This work quantifies the carbon output of computer systems to show that most emissions related to modern mobile and data-center equipment come from hardware manufacturing and infrastructure. We therefore outline future directions for minimizing the environmental impact of computing systems.
Introduction:
In sustainable development, Arindam Ghosh, a stalwart at the Circular Economy Cell ... more Introduction: In sustainable development, Arindam Ghosh, a stalwart at the Circular Economy Cell in NITI Aayog, ardently advocates for the infusion of circular economy principles into India's policy framework. This policy brief emanates from a passionate dedication to sustainability, aspiring to illuminate a comprehensive path towards integrating food-grade recycled plastics into the core of the Indian food industry.
1. Competing Interests and Stakeholder Analysis: Harmony Amidst Diverse Interests: The intricate web of stakeholders in the sustainability discourse requires a delicate understanding of their interests and concerns. • Food Industry: Balancing economic prosperity with sustainability ambitions is a nuanced challenge. Acknowledging concerns about the safety of recycled plastics in food packaging is pivotal for ethical progress. • Recycling Facilities: The reliance on recycling facilities for a constant stream of top-tier recycled plastics demands immediate attention and supportive structures. • Consumers: The pulse of public opinion, awareness, and acceptance must be understood to instil change. • Government Agencies: Cultivating regulatory harmony and a conducive ecosystem for sustainable practices is crucial for fostering collective success.
2. Enhancing Collection and Sorting Infrastructure: Sustainable Infrastructure Proposals: Building a sustainable future requires substantial efforts to fortify the infrastructure supporting the circular economy. • Investment in Infrastructure: Rally for substantial public and private investments to modernise collection and sorting facilities. This ensures a continuous supply of premium food-grade recycled plastics. • Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Advocate for collaborative endeavours between government agencies, recycling facilities, and the food industry. Such partnerships can forge pathways to efficient and scalable infrastructure. • Standardisation: Champion industry-wide standards for collecting, sorting, and processing recycled plastics. A standardised approach ensures unwavering quality. • Incentivize Innovation: Support research and development initiatives, sparking innovations in plastic recycling technologies. This not only fosters efficiency but also contributes to reducing costs.
3. Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Campaigns: Sowing Seeds of Awareness: The success of any sustainable initiative hinges on the active participation and understanding of the masses. • Educational Campaigns: Launch targeted campaigns to enlighten consumers about the merits of embracing food-grade recycled plastics. Emphasise stringent safety standards and the profound environmental impact of such choices. • Certification Programs: Introduce certification programs acting as beacons of transparency and trust in the supply chain. These programs validate products utilising recycled plastics, instilling confidence in consumers. • Collaboration with Influencers: Mobilize the influence of social media personalities and thought leaders to amplify the message of sustainable choices and foster acceptance. • Inclusive Messaging: Craft narratives that celebrate the positive environmental footprint of consumer choices. This addresses safety concerns through transparent communication and fosters a sense of responsibility.
4. Production-Linked Incentive/Plastic Credit Scheme: Incentivising Sustainability: Incentive schemes are pivotal in driving transformative change and encouraging sustainable practices. • Production-Linked Incentive: Propose a visionary incentive scheme endorsed by the government, rewarding companies championing the use of food-grade recycled plastics. This propels them into the vanguard of market competitiveness. • Plastic Credit System: Envision a plastic credit system where companies earn credits for each ton of recycled plastic. This creates a market for sustainable practices, fostering innovation and economic benefits. • Tax Benefits: Advocate for tax benefits and subsidies for enterprises demonstrating unwavering commitment to plastic recycling and embracing sustainable practices. This not only rewards sustainable behaviour but also supports businesses in their transition.
5. Safety Considerations in Food Packaging: The critics' apprehensions about safety risks associated with recycled plastic in food packaging deserve meticulous attention. • Research and Development: Invest in robust research to identify and mitigate potential risks. Collaborate with scientific institutions to ensure the safety of recycled plastics in food packaging. • Regulatory Framework: Develop and strengthen regulations that mandate rigorous testing and certification for food-grade recycled plastics. This instils confidence in both consumers and industry players. • Industry Collaboration: Foster collaboration between the food industry, regulatory bodies, and research institutions to collectively address safety concerns. This collaborative effort ensures a holistic perspective on the issue.
6. Global and Local Dynamics: Understanding the global context and the intricacies of the local landscape is imperative for crafting effective policies. • Global Trends: Acknowledge global trends in plastic usage and recycling. Leverage international best practices and collaborations to enrich the Indian approach. • Local Industry Dynamics: Tailor strategies to the specific dynamics of the Indian food industry. Consider the diversity of players, sizes of businesses, and regional variations to ensure inclusivity. • Policy Alignment: Align proposed policies with existing national and state-level regulations. Ensure coherence to avoid contradictions and facilitate seamless implementation.
7. Long-term Impact Assessment: Successfully integrating food-grade recycled plastics into the food industry necessitates a comprehensive assessment of its long-term impact. • Environmental Impact: Evaluate the reduction in carbon footprint and conservation of resources resulting from adopting recycled plastics. Measure the positive contribution to environmental sustainability. • Economic Viability: Assess the benefits of reduced dependence on virgin plastics. Examine the recycling industry's job creation, innovation, and growth potential. • Social Implications: Consider the social implications of sustainable practices, including enhanced brand reputation, consumer loyalty, and community engagement. Gauge the societal benefits arising from responsible corporate behaviour.
In conclusion, the Indian food and beverage packaging industry is rapidly expanding, with an expected annual growth rate of 14.8%, reaching $86 billion by 2029. Factors such as urbanization, rising incomes, and shifting consumption patterns are driving this growth. Post-COVID-19, demand for natural food ingredients is rising, influenced by new FSSAI regulations. The market shift towards packaged products, valued at approximately Rs 20,000 crore annually, signifies changing consumer preferences. Sustainability is a key focus, with the industry moving towards plastic-free and mono-packaging materials. Expected to add 9 million jobs by 2024, the sector aims to quadruple India's annual household consumption by 2030. With an estimated current size of $322 billion, the industry aims to reach $543 billion by 2025, emphasizing innovation, particularly in organic and health food categories, to meet evolving consumer demands and increase its contribution to GDP from 8% to 20%.
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Papers by Udit Gupta
In sustainable development, Arindam Ghosh, a stalwart at the Circular Economy Cell in NITI Aayog, ardently advocates for the infusion of circular economy principles into India's policy framework. This policy brief emanates from a passionate dedication to sustainability, aspiring to illuminate a comprehensive path towards integrating food-grade recycled plastics into the core of the Indian food industry.
1. Competing Interests and Stakeholder Analysis:
Harmony Amidst Diverse Interests:
The intricate web of stakeholders in the sustainability discourse requires a delicate understanding of their interests and concerns.
• Food Industry: Balancing economic prosperity with sustainability ambitions is a nuanced challenge. Acknowledging concerns about the safety of recycled plastics in food packaging is pivotal for ethical progress.
• Recycling Facilities: The reliance on recycling facilities for a constant stream of top-tier recycled plastics demands immediate attention and supportive structures.
• Consumers: The pulse of public opinion, awareness, and acceptance must be understood to instil change.
• Government Agencies: Cultivating regulatory harmony and a conducive ecosystem for sustainable practices is crucial for fostering collective success.
2. Enhancing Collection and Sorting Infrastructure:
Sustainable Infrastructure Proposals:
Building a sustainable future requires substantial efforts to fortify the infrastructure supporting the circular economy.
• Investment in Infrastructure: Rally for substantial public and private investments to modernise collection and sorting facilities. This ensures a continuous supply of premium food-grade recycled plastics.
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Advocate for collaborative endeavours between government agencies, recycling facilities, and the food industry. Such partnerships can forge pathways to efficient and scalable infrastructure.
• Standardisation: Champion industry-wide standards for collecting, sorting, and processing recycled plastics. A standardised approach ensures unwavering quality.
• Incentivize Innovation: Support research and development initiatives, sparking innovations in plastic recycling technologies. This not only fosters efficiency but also contributes to reducing costs.
3. Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Campaigns:
Sowing Seeds of Awareness:
The success of any sustainable initiative hinges on the active participation and understanding of the masses.
• Educational Campaigns: Launch targeted campaigns to enlighten consumers about the merits of embracing food-grade recycled plastics. Emphasise stringent safety standards and the profound environmental impact of such choices.
• Certification Programs: Introduce certification programs acting as beacons of transparency and trust in the supply chain. These programs validate products utilising recycled plastics, instilling confidence in consumers.
• Collaboration with Influencers: Mobilize the influence of social media personalities and thought leaders to amplify the message of sustainable choices and foster acceptance.
• Inclusive Messaging: Craft narratives that celebrate the positive environmental footprint of consumer choices. This addresses safety concerns through transparent communication and fosters a sense of responsibility.
4. Production-Linked Incentive/Plastic Credit Scheme:
Incentivising Sustainability:
Incentive schemes are pivotal in driving transformative change and encouraging sustainable practices.
• Production-Linked Incentive: Propose a visionary incentive scheme endorsed by the government, rewarding companies championing the use of food-grade recycled plastics. This propels them into the vanguard of market competitiveness.
• Plastic Credit System: Envision a plastic credit system where companies earn credits for each ton of recycled plastic. This creates a market for sustainable practices, fostering innovation and economic benefits.
• Tax Benefits: Advocate for tax benefits and subsidies for enterprises demonstrating unwavering commitment to plastic recycling and embracing sustainable practices. This not only rewards sustainable behaviour but also supports businesses in their transition.
5. Safety Considerations in Food Packaging:
The critics' apprehensions about safety risks associated with recycled plastic in food packaging deserve meticulous attention.
• Research and Development: Invest in robust research to identify and mitigate potential risks. Collaborate with scientific institutions to ensure the safety of recycled plastics in food packaging.
• Regulatory Framework: Develop and strengthen regulations that mandate rigorous testing and certification for food-grade recycled plastics. This instils confidence in both consumers and industry players.
• Industry Collaboration: Foster collaboration between the food industry, regulatory bodies, and research institutions to collectively address safety concerns. This collaborative effort ensures a holistic perspective on the issue.
6. Global and Local Dynamics:
Understanding the global context and the intricacies of the local landscape is imperative for crafting effective policies.
• Global Trends: Acknowledge global trends in plastic usage and recycling. Leverage international best practices and collaborations to enrich the Indian approach.
• Local Industry Dynamics: Tailor strategies to the specific dynamics of the Indian food industry. Consider the diversity of players, sizes of businesses, and regional variations to ensure inclusivity.
• Policy Alignment: Align proposed policies with existing national and state-level regulations. Ensure coherence to avoid contradictions and facilitate seamless implementation.
7. Long-term Impact Assessment:
Successfully integrating food-grade recycled plastics into the food industry necessitates a comprehensive assessment of its long-term impact.
• Environmental Impact: Evaluate the reduction in carbon footprint and conservation of resources resulting from adopting recycled plastics. Measure the positive contribution to environmental sustainability.
• Economic Viability: Assess the benefits of reduced dependence on virgin plastics. Examine the recycling industry's job creation, innovation, and growth potential.
• Social Implications: Consider the social implications of sustainable practices, including enhanced brand reputation, consumer loyalty, and community engagement. Gauge the societal benefits arising from responsible corporate behaviour.
In conclusion, the Indian food and beverage packaging industry is rapidly expanding, with an expected annual growth rate of 14.8%, reaching $86 billion by 2029. Factors such as urbanization, rising incomes, and shifting consumption patterns are driving this growth. Post-COVID-19, demand for natural food ingredients is rising, influenced by new FSSAI regulations. The market shift towards packaged products, valued at approximately Rs 20,000 crore annually, signifies changing consumer preferences. Sustainability is a key focus, with the industry moving towards plastic-free and mono-packaging materials. Expected to add 9 million jobs by 2024, the sector aims to quadruple India's annual household consumption by 2030. With an estimated current size of $322 billion, the industry aims to reach $543 billion by 2025, emphasizing innovation, particularly in organic and health food categories, to meet evolving consumer demands and increase its contribution to GDP from 8% to 20%.