In the face of climate change and other environmental challenges, organisations and leaders are under pressure to be proactive when it comes to their impact on the world around us. As proven by the recent storm in the UAE and Oman that resulted in record rainfall and subsequent flooding, as well as studies that show the Gulf and wider Middle Eastern region may be susceptible to extreme heat in the next few decades, the situation demands action now.
The goal is now twofold. Organisations must work towards and adhere to sustainable business practices, and enhance their abilities to monitor and evaluate their impact on the environment, as well as their fire detection and response methods. This is particularly important from an urban standpoint given the trend of rural-urban migration, i.e. city managers tracking environmental factors to protect residents and maintain their quality of life. Sustainable urban living also crosscuts several challenges. These include the need for integrated environmental infrastructure, and the need for effective planning and management in disaster-prone areas, as stipulated in Goal 11 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Sustainability through and through
At the same time, leaders and enterprises deploy measures that promote sustainability – everything from supply chains to energy sourcing and consumption. They must be sure the measures themselves exhibit sustainable business and manufacturing practices.
Sustainable economic models focus on the following principles: product design that excludes materials that cause waste or pollution, using products for the entirety of their lifecycle without repairs or substitutions, and usage of materials that can be recycled without compromising quality. The result is quality security solutions that are built to last, have minimal impact on the environment, boast low power consumption to save resources when in use, and can be recycled when no longer in use.
Thanks to innovation in sensor technology and analytics, sustainability and security can now more often be heard in the same sentence. Solutions that a company deploys to meet their physical security needs now serve a dual purpose of protecting people and assets, and positively contributing to a healthier and cleaner environment.
From the earth to the air
Part of a sustainability vision, especially where cities and urban areas are concerned, is leveraging new and existing technologies to track factors related to the environment and deliver associated benefits. These include indicators such as air pollution, noise levels, weather conditions, and water supply.
Using a combination of network cameras and IoT sensors, city officials can measure the level of pollutants in the air and determine the source. These cameras also detect weather events such as rainfall and snowfall. Combined with analytics, they can assess the impact of weather patterns on people, vehicular traffic, pollution, and natural disasters. Additionally, thermal imaging and visible light network cameras can also play a part in managing water supplies. They ensure the delivery of service and regulate consumption levels among citizens and buildings.
IoT ecosystems such as this, especially those that span entire metropolitan areas, may carry additional considerations that run up against set sustainability targets, such as the energy they use to operate. But that doesn’t have to be the case. For example, innovations in IP surveillance technologies can provide cost savings directly related to reduced energy consumption.
Not every surveillance system suits every application. Hence, organisations should always pay attention to whether sensors and devices are built to help reach their sustainability targets.
Combatting fires, both big and small
Regardless of whether there’s a breakout in the middle of a city square or a rural field, fires are a threat that has serious consequences on people, infrastructure, and resources. With the advancement of traditional fire countermeasures, technology considerations are now what make or break a firefighting strategy.
In the case of wildfires, network video cameras placed at strategic vantage points can help officials monitor large and remote areas. If a fire is identified, officials can then triangulate its position using the network and promptly dispatch teams to put it out. Meanwhile, in urban areas, network video cameras can monitor sites and facilities that may house flammable items, or areas that are prone to ignition by causes such as hot weather.
Another tool in the firefighting arsenal is the smoke detector. Though an important device, smoke detectors are a reactive countermeasure and provide an alert only once smoke has penetrated them. However, this is changing thanks to innovation. Intelligent smoke detectors fitted with smart video analysis are capable of visually recognising a fire before a standard device can, shaving off a few minutes in the delay between detection and response.
Proactive fire detection is, in itself, a move towards sustainability. With the right solutions and technology partners, organisations and city officials can incorporate safety, environmental awareness, and physical security all into one comprehensive installation. One that speaks to being sustainable on a new level.
Ulrika Renmark is the Sustainability Sales Engagement Director at Axis Communications
