可持續發展成為製造業競爭力關鍵：提升效率與減少浪費

在全球經濟與環境政策快速變化的背景下，製造業正面臨前所未有的挑戰。企業不僅要確保財務穩健，還需應對地方、國家及國際層面不斷變化的可持續發展法規，並適應技術進步與市場趨勢。

可持續發展的概念已逐步成為全球企業經營的重要戰略之一。然而，在政策、經濟和市場需求不確定性的影響下，企業如何確保其可持續發展計劃既符合環保目標，又能提升競爭力，成為業界關注的焦點。

Manufacturing Industry Faces Unprecedented Challenges Amid Rapid Economic and Environmental Policy Changes

In the context of rapidly changing global economic and environmental policies, the manufacturing industry is facing unprecedented challenges. Companies must not only ensure financial stability but also navigate the constantly evolving sustainability regulations at local, national, and international levels, while adapting to technological advancements and market trends.

普渡大學教授 John Sutherland 表示：「企業普遍希望做出正確的選擇，但可持續發展的推進需要時間。回顧歷史，農業與工業革命都經歷了數十年的發展，因此我們不應對可持續發展的進程過於急躁。」

儘管美國環境政策存在變數，產業專家普遍認為，短期的政策變化不會對製造業的長期可持續發展戰略產生重大影響。Third Partners 可持續發展顧問公司創辦人 Adam Freedgood 指出：「製造商不會基於短期四年執政週期來決定長遠的減排與可持續發展計劃，因為這樣的決策需要更長期的視角與戰略考量。」

The concept of sustainability has gradually become a key strategic focus for global businesses. However, amidst policy, economic, and market uncertainties, how companies can ensure their sustainability plans align with environmental goals while boosting competitiveness has become a focal point in the industry.

Professor John Sutherland of Purdue University said: “Companies generally want to make the right choices, but advancing sustainability takes time. Looking back at history, both the agricultural and industrial revolutions took decades to develop, so we shouldn’t rush the process of sustainability.”

法規仍將持續影響企業決策

雖然美國聯邦層面的環保政策可能發生變化，但各州政府及歐盟的環境法規仍對製造業產生深遠影響。例如，加州及歐盟要求企業披露範疇 3（Scope 3）排放，即來自供應鏈與客戶端的間接排放數據，這對於國際化運營的企業而言，仍然是一項重要的合規要求。

哥倫比亞大學氣候變遷法中心（Sabin Center for Climate Change Law）創辦人 Michael Gerrard 表示：「即使聯邦政府放寬環境監管，許多企業仍需遵守來自歐洲或美國部分州政府的氣候法規，這些法規對企業的可持續發展戰略具有長期影響。」

Despite potential changes in U.S. environmental policies, industry experts generally believe that short-term policy shifts will not significantly affect the long-term sustainability strategies of the manufacturing industry. Adam Freedgood, founder of sustainability consultancy Third Partners, pointed out: “Manufacturers won’t base long-term emission reduction and sustainability plans on short-term political cycles because such decisions require a longer-term perspective and strategic considerations.”

Regulations Will Continue to Affect Business Decisions

While federal-level environmental policies in the U.S. may change, state governments and EU environmental regulations will continue to have a profound impact on the manufacturing industry. For example, California and the EU require companies to disclose Scope 3 emissions, which include indirect emissions from their supply chains and customers. This remains a significant compliance requirement for companies operating internationally.

水技術設備製造商 Xylem 的可持續發展與社會影響副總裁 Austin Alexander 也認為：「作為一家全球企業，我們的可持續發展戰略著眼於長期目標，因此個別國家的政策變動對我們的影響有限。我們更關注的是如何確保企業在全球市場中的競爭力。」

經濟波動推動可持續發展戰略

產業專家普遍認為，與政策變動相比，經濟環境的影響更為深遠。Freedgood 表示：「未來美國經濟政策的變化，將比氣候政策更直接地影響製造商的可持續發展決策。例如，通貨膨脹、能源價格波動及供應鏈變遷，都是製造企業必須考量的重要因素。」

因此，企業開始採取長期能源策略，以應對市場價格波動。例如，企業正在積極尋求長期穩定的清潔能源採購方案，以降低對天然氣市場價格波動的依賴。「美國正逐步擴大液化天然氣（LNG）出口至歐洲，這可能會推高國內天然氣價格，使企業面臨更高的能源成本，」Freedgood 補充道。

此外，數據驅動的可持續發展決策亦成為企業競爭力的重要因素。ENGIE Impact 董事總經理 Jason Bell 指出：「企業應充分運用現有數據，並建立完善的追蹤機制，以推動減排目標。最重要的是，不要因為追求完美數據而延遲行動，應從現有資料著手，並逐步提升數據品質與決策能力。」

Michael Gerrard, founder of Columbia University’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, stated: “Even if the federal government relaxes environmental regulations, many companies will still need to comply with climate laws from European or certain U.S. state governments, which will have long-term impacts on their sustainability strategies.”

Austin Alexander, Vice President of Sustainability and Social Impact at water technology manufacturer Xylem, also commented: “As a global company, our sustainability strategy is focused on long-term goals, so changes in individual countries’ policies have limited impact on us. Our primary concern is ensuring that our business remains competitive in global markets.”

Economic Fluctuations Drive Sustainability Strategies

Industry experts generally believe that economic conditions will have a more profound impact than policy changes. Freedgood said: “Future changes in U.S. economic policies will more directly influence manufacturers’ sustainability decisions than climate policies. Inflation, energy price fluctuations, and supply chain shifts are all critical factors that manufacturers must consider.”

As a result, companies are adopting long-term energy strategies to address market price volatility. For example, companies are actively seeking long-term, stable clean energy procurement solutions to reduce reliance on the fluctuating natural gas market. “The U.S. is gradually expanding LNG exports to Europe, which could drive up domestic natural gas prices, forcing companies to face higher energy costs,” Freedgood added.

製造業的未來：提升效率，減少浪費

在制定可持續發展戰略時，製造業應將重點放在提升運營效率、減少浪費與提高能源利用率上。Sutherland 強調：「浪費是效率低下的象徵，無論是原材料浪費、能源浪費，或是不必要的排放，最終都會增加企業運營成本。優化資源利用，將成為提升競爭力的關鍵。」

Xylem 公司的 Alexander 也分享了企業實踐經驗：「我們將可持續發展目標融入日常營運，授權各地工廠管理者自主決定投資時機與具體措施，從而實現環境與經濟效益的雙贏。」

此外，許多企業開始將可持續發展與品牌價值結合，以滿足消費者對於環保產品的需求。例如，一些企業正在開發更環保的生產技術，降低碳足跡，並通過綠色供應鏈管理來增強市場競爭力。

結論：可持續發展是企業長遠競爭力的關鍵

Moreover, data-driven sustainability decisions have also become an important factor for business competitiveness. Jason Bell, Managing Director at ENGIE Impact, noted: “Companies should leverage existing data and establish effective tracking mechanisms to drive emission reduction goals. The key is not to delay action in pursuit of perfect data, but to start with available data and gradually improve data quality and decision-making capabilities.”

The Future of Manufacturing: Improving Efficiency and Reducing Waste

When formulating sustainability strategies, the manufacturing industry should focus on improving operational efficiency, reducing waste, and enhancing energy utilization. Sutherland emphasized: “Waste is a symbol of inefficiency, whether it's raw material waste, energy waste, or unnecessary emissions. Ultimately, all of these increase operational costs. Optimizing resource use will be key to boosting competitiveness.”

Alexander from Xylem also shared the company’s practical experience: “We integrate sustainability goals into our daily operations, empowering local factory managers to make investment decisions and implement specific measures, achieving both environmental and economic benefits.”

在全球市場競爭日趨激烈的背景下，製造商正積極應對政策與經濟變數，透過創新技術與數據驅動的決策，推動可持續發展戰略，確保企業長期穩健發展。

Additionally, many companies are starting to align sustainability with brand value to meet consumer demand for eco-friendly products. For example, some companies are developing more sustainable production technologies to reduce carbon footprints and enhance market competitiveness through green supply chain management.

Conclusion: Sustainability is Key to Long-Term Competitiveness

未來，企業應繼續關注環保法規變化、能源市場趨勢與消費者需求，並通過技術創新與營運效率提升，推動可持續發展目標的實現。隨著全球市場對綠色經濟的需求日益增長，可持續發展不僅是企業的責任，更是提升競爭力與市場份額的重要戰略選擇。

In an increasingly competitive global market, manufacturers are proactively responding to policy and economic uncertainties by driving sustainability strategies through innovative technologies and data-driven decisions to ensure long-term stable development.

歐盟碳邊境調整機制（CBAM）上路，要求企業揭露碳排放，對台灣電子、半導體與鋼鐵業帶來合規壓力。思享永續顧問服務公司的莊殷顧問認為，碳盤查不僅是法規要求，更是提升競爭力的關鍵，企業若能及早導入減碳策略，將在國際市場中搶佔先機。 然而，台灣綠電供應不足，中小型企業轉型門檻高，企業需要透過直接購電或自發自用綠能模式降低風險。循環經濟也是重點之一，莊殷顧問指出，若能將環保策略內嵌於商業模式，將有助於降低成本並提升品牌價值。 可持續發展已從大部分企業的趨勢轉變為競爭門檻，企業若僅為合規而調整碳排放，將會難以維持優勢。唯有將減碳視為長期投資，結合綠色創新與數據決策，才能在未來的全球市場中取得優勢。

In the future, companies should continue to monitor changes in environmental regulations, energy market trends, and consumer demand, and use technological innovation and operational efficiency improvements to achieve sustainability goals. As the global demand for a green economy grows, sustainability will not only be a corporate responsibility but also a key strategic choice to enhance competitiveness and market share.