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Think Green. Responsability & Sustainability

Lenovo Brasil: More Sustainable Production

Alice Damasceno, an engineer graduated from the Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), with an MBA from the University of Michigan Business School and AMP from IESE, she is director of citizenship and communication of ESG for Latin America at Lenovo since 2020. She is currently responsible for the Lenovo Foundation for Latin America, with the mission of promoting access to technology and scientific and technological education (STEM education), as well as the engagement of teams from the company’s business units in the region. Alice is also a member of the board of the José Luiz Egydio Setúbal Foundation, dedicated to the cause of children’s health in Brazil.

Considered the manufacturer of the greenest electronics, Lenovo innovates to provide more energy-efficient, human-centered technology solutions and to empower customers to achieve their own sustainability goals. It implements sustainable practices and is committed to achieving net-zero by 2050, with goals validated by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi). In packaging, its solutions are a contribution to the environment.

In September 2023, it joined a new initiative to accelerate private sector action at the pace and scale needed to meet the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda. The UN Global Compact initiative calls on leaders’ businesses around the world to take relevant action in areas that have the power to accelerate progress on the 17 SDGs, where the private sector can, collectively, make the biggest and fastest impact by 2030.

Lenovo is also committed to all its stakeholders to advance climate change commitments, making a positive social impact in the communities where it operates and highlighting the importance of ethics in corporate behavior. Present in 180 markets, adopts ESG measures globally. Today, around 300 of its products have recycled electronic components. It has tripled global solar energy generation since the 2018/19 fiscal year and is the first group of companies to have net-zero targets for 2050 validated by the Science Based Target initiative.

PÁGINAS VERDES (Green Pages) – How were plastic and polystyrene eliminated from packaging?

ALICE DAMASCENO – Lenovo engineers have always sought solutions to make our packaging more sustainable through recycled materials and eliminating plastic. The focus is to integrate sustainable materials and minimize waste. Adopting sustainable materials such as sugar cane and bamboo, while seeking holistic sustainability opportunities throughout packaging design, has allowed the company to eliminate the use of plastic and polystyrene. Since 2008, it has eliminated 4,137 metric tons of packaging consumption by weight. In fiscal year 2022/23, the team reduced packaging consumption by 400 metric tons.

PV –What other initiatives have you adopted?

AD – Lenovo leveraged innovative design to eliminate 54 tons of plastic tape from ThinkPad packaging annually. By combining bamboo fiber technology with other materials, the team developed plastic-free packaging for the ThinkPad X1 and Z lines, eliminating 192 metric tons of plastic. It also launched the first packaging cushioning that protects equipment from vibrations and impacts. Contains OBP (30% OBP and 70% other recycled plastics) in the ThinkPad L14 packaging. In fiscal year 2022/23, expanded the use of OBP to the new ThinkPad L line, select desktop/AIO and consumer line notebooks, with packaging cushioning or air pocket system to protect the product. Through these applications, it estimates it will use 130 to 140 metric tons of ocean plastic per year.

PV – What is the projection for fiscal year 2025/2026?

AD – It is estimated that 90% of plastic packaging for PC products will be made from recycled materials (measured by weight, excluding tablets, accessories, and monitors). Smartphone packaging will have 50% less single-use plastic (used once or for a short period of time, before being discarded). Plastics will also be reduced by 10% in size/volume, and 60% of smartphone packaging will be made from recycled materials compared to fiscal year 2020/21, except for RAZR and Lenovo smartphones.

PV – What is the role of supply chains?

AD – The development of supply chains, product and materials design have enabled Lenovo to adopt a circular “design, use, return” model. We are transitioning to a circular economy through innovations in our supply chain, product design and services. Since 2005, our research and development teams have worked with suppliers to include post-consumer waste or post-consumer content (PCC) in the manufacture of new brand products. Lenovo uses closed-loop post-consumer recycled (CL PCR) waste in 298 products. Since the beginning of 2005, the total cumulative use of recycled plastics in the brand’s products has reached more than 130 million kilograms (gross) containing post-industrial recycled content (PIC), post-consumer waste or post-industrial waste. consumer content (PCC) and/or closed-loop post-consumer recycled (CL PCR) post-consumer recycled waste, with net-PCC of approximately 54 million kilos and net-CL PCC of more than 18 million kilos. In 2022, OBP (ocean plastics) plastic usage was approximately 10,800 kg (gross), with a net-OBP of approximately 540 kg.

PV – What are the company’s environmental management practices?

AD – Lenovo is on track to meet its 2030 emissions reduction targets, based on the FY2022/23 ESG report. It was the first PC and smartphone manufacturer to have its net-zero targets validated by the Science Based Target initiative. Announced Scope 1, 2 and 3 emission reduction targets for 2030, which were approved by the Science Based Target initiative. In 2021, it was honored to be included as part of the Science Based Target initiative pilot for a net-zero standard. Lenovo has tripled its solar power generation since fiscal year 2018/19. By fiscal year 2025/26, it aims to source 90% of its global operations’ electricity from renewable sources, as well as removing one million tons of greenhouse gas emissions from its supply chain relative to emissions measured in fiscal year 2018 /19. It also intends, by fiscal year 2029/30, to achieve a 50% improvement in the energy efficiency of Lenovo desktops and servers, and a 30% improvement in the energy efficiency of Lenovo notebooks and Motorola products. In Brazil, there has already been a 45% reduction in operational emissions (considering the base year 2018/19).

PV – How does the company act on social and inclusion issues?

AD – We believe that “Smarter Technology for All” really needs to mean that. If we want to innovate for society, we must design with the world’s diversity in mind. Our global philanthropy team is focused on promoting access to technology and STEM education. We support organizations aligned with this mission with donations of products and resources, such as time and talent from our employees. We sponsor causes and have partnerships with organizations that make a difference. In fiscal year 2022/23, Lenovo’s global philanthropy invested USD30 million for social impact in communities around the world, volunteering, and disaster response. The Lenovo Foundation exceeded its goal of impacting 15 million lives by 2025, reaching 16.5 million lives by March 31, 2023. The company has invested more than USD 3.3 million in communities across Latin America. Of these, BRL10 million was invested in communities across Brazil, contributing to access to education and technology through partnerships with Instituto Aliança, Instituto Ayrton Senna, Instituto Canoa, and Instituto Crie de TV e Cinema.

PV – What is the project like to make products to be used by everyone?

AD – For too long, consumer products have been designed without considering all of consumers’ individual needs and attributes. Lenovo’s Product Diversity Office (PDO) seeks to integrate inclusion and feedback from diverse consumer segments early in product development, leading to smarter technology that is truly for everyone. In 2020, Lenovo began developing its PDO as a leader in incorporating D&I into the product design and development process. By fiscal year 2025/26, 75% of Lenovo products will be evaluated by inclusive design experts to ensure they work for everyone, regardless of physical attributes or abilities.

PV – How does the company involve employees and collaborators around ESG?

AD – Lenovo champions diversity and inclusion through the products and services it provides, the values it promotes, and its internal practices. It took a step forward in defending women by endorsing the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs). These principles provide guidance for companies to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, in the marketplace and in the community. We are focused on creating an internal pipeline of diverse leadership through the Mosaic and Women’s Leadership Development programs. Lenovo’s 17 employee resource groups (ERGs) communities promote inclusion in diversity segments of the Lenovo workforce. In May 2022, the company signed the Amsterdam Declaration, confirming its commitment to promoting an inclusive workplace for LGBTQIA+ employees. Invested more than USD 2 million in nonprofits focused on empowering today’s workforce with the skills they need to transform their careers, lives and communities. Lenovo has 36% female representation in its workforce, with 21% women in executive positions. By FY 2025/26, the global representation of women in executive roles will increase to 27% (from 21% in 2020).

“Lenovo is committed to all of its stakeholders to make progress on climate change commitments.”

Source: Eletrolar News Magazine – Edition #158

eletrolar.com