Over the last year, the world has faced several global crises – everything from an ongoing pandemic to climate disruption. Scorching temperatures, uncontrollable wildfires and powerful hurricanes have become a way of life. Despite these challenges, stories have emerged that highlight the best of humanity. It is these moments that give us hope for tomorrow.

Scientists have long been aware of the short-and long-term consequences of a warming planet. The good news is that governments and utilities are taking these warnings seriously and allocating substantial resources toward reducing their carbon footprint. We have a lot of work in front of us, but we are moving in the right direction.

Earth Day 2022 is a perfect time to reflect on what Itron and our customers have already accomplished and the steps we can all take to slow (and eventually reverse) the impact of climate disruption. This year’s Earth Day theme is Invest in Our Planet. The Earth Day organization, whose mission is to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide, is calling upon all citizens to act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably).

At Itron, our company purpose is directly aligned to this mission, and better managing energy and water resources is an investment in our planet for a more sustainable future. Itron’s innovations help create more equitable cities and communities for generations to come.

Creating a more resourceful world isn't easy. It requires continuous innovation and collaboration. We all can have an impact on the environment, meaning we all have a role to play. Innovation is at the core of who we are at Itron, and it has been since the beginning. We have invested heavily to ensure our customers – and our own company – meet sustainability goals put forth by intergovernmental agencies.

In 2019, Itron began the process of expanding our environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts and aligning our mission of resourcefulness with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. We are working diligently to reduce Itron’s environmental impact by operating more efficiently—both within the office and facilities where we perform our jobs, and in the manufacturing facilities where our products are developed and distributed. Our holistic approach represents a long-term view of sustainability, diversity, and accountability as we strive to achieve and invest in a better future for all.

Our efforts are ongoing. One recent example is Itron’s decision to add QR codes to the boxes at our Mâcon, France plant instead of printing hard copies of documentation such as instruction manuals. This switch saves approximately 2.5 million pages a paper a year, and we are working on rolling out this initiative company-wide.

We have also been honored to work with hundreds of customers over the last year to help them better manage energy and water resources. Here are a few key projects we are excited to be a part of:

• Chicago completed a 160-million-dollar project in early 2022 that connects approximately 280,000 streetlights. The city is projected to save $12.4 million in electricity this year and more than $100 million in electricity costs throughout the next 10 years.
• San Antonio, CPS Energy and Itron collaborated on an intelligent streetlight and smart city application pilot. The installation of smart streetlights and IoT sensors were completed to support city applications in three Innovation Zones: Brooks City Base, Downtown and Medical Center. The Office of Innovation at the City of San Antonio conducted citizen surveys of the Innovation Zones before the pilot to determine the priorities of those who live, work and play in the city for each Innovation Zone. This led to the implementation of projects that truly make a difference in everyday life.
• The Singapore Armed Forces created a pilot program and installed more than 300 smart meters at Jurong Camp, Paya Lebar Airbase and Changi Naval Base as part of a broader sustainability push. The goal is to make units more aware of their consumption as well as reduce overall water and electricity consumption.

As Itron celebrates Earth Day and looks toward the year ahead, we are optimistic about what is on the horizon. Governments and utilities are increasingly looking at how their investments in smart technology can make the world and their communities more resourceful and sustainable for the future. This includes initiatives ranging from reducing water waste to embracing smart street lighting. These changes may seem small on their own, but together they can make a tremendous difference for future generations to come.