How Mondra's Azure-Powered AI Chatbot Helps Reduce Emissions
In an era where environmental consciousness is paramount, businesses are grappling with the complex challenge of measuring and reducing their carbon footprint.
The task becomes particularly daunting when it comes to Scope 3 emissions—those indirect emissions that occur in a company's value chain. According to Boston Consulting Group, a mere 10% of companies are comprehensively measuring and reporting emissions across all scopes.
As companies seek to navigate the complexities of carbon accounting, AI-powered tools are emerging as powerful allies in the fight against climate change. Mondra, a food products supplier, has recognised the power and is seeking to bring that to supply chains.
The rise of AI in emissions tracking
Mondra has developed a groundbreaking AI chatbot named Sherpa, leveraging the secure servers of Microsoft Azure OpenAI. This innovative tool is designed to support retailers in calculating the CO2 emissions produced in the manufacturing of their products, drilling down to the ingredient level.
The implications of such technology are far-reaching, offering unprecedented insights into the environmental impact of supply chains.
"Mondra's approach to collaborative decarbonisation is ground-breaking," says Jason Barrett, CEO at Mondra. "We are essentially giving retailers the platform and tools to support planet-positive category evolution, while de-risking their business and taking advantage of the commercial opportunity presented by the net zero economy."
Automating life cycle assessments
At the heart of Mondra's platform is the ability to automate Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) at scale. This capability provides retailers with a comprehensive understanding of their products' environmental impact.
By offering this level of transparency, companies can pinpoint problem areas within their supply chain emissions and take targeted action.
"The overlay of Sherpa onto the Mondra platform is game-changing for the industry," explains Marco De Sanctis, Chief Technical Officer at Mondra. "Its querying ability will empower businesses to make data-driven decisions, reducing their environmental impact and improving operational efficiency."
The real-world impact of this technology is already evident. One Mondra customer successfully reformulated a lasagne recipe using the data provided, resulting in an impressive 18% reduction in carbon emissions during production.
This case study illustrates the tangible benefits of AI-driven insights in product development and sustainability efforts.
Equally, sherpa's capabilities extend beyond mere emissions calculations. The chatbot can also assist retailers in building more resilient supply chains.
"Mondra's groundbreaking chatbot Sherpa – built using Microsoft AI technology – will be a powerful tool in the fight against climate change," says Alison Wright, Small Business Lead at Microsoft UK. "Being able to map food supply chain carbon emissions, then make data-driven decisions on how to reduce them, will radically improve the retail food industry's ability to meet its net zero targets."
By simulating scenarios where ingredients are sourced from different parts of the world, it helps companies prepare for potential disruptions caused by climate change, natural disasters, or political conflicts.
Collaborative efforts for standardisation
Mondra's impact extends beyond individual retailers. The company is actively collaborating with NGOs, the UK Government, and the British Retail Consortium to establish a unified standard for measuring product-level performance and farm data. This initiative aims to ensure that accurate, comparable data is collected efficiently across the industry.
Equally, the development of Sherpa is part of a broader commitment to sustainability by Microsoft Azure. The tech giant has outlined four key areas of environmental focus: achieving 100% renewable energy by 2025, becoming water positive by 2030, attaining zero-waste certification by 2030, and ensuring net-zero deforestation from new construction.
In South Africa, Azure is leveraging technology to address water scarcity, using smart water metres to support regional hospitals in mitigating a water crisis. This initiative demonstrates the versatility of AI and data-driven solutions in tackling diverse environmental challenges.
As businesses continue to grapple with the complexities of emissions reduction, AI-powered tools like Sherpa represent a low-effort way of making sustainable initiatives.
By providing detailed insights, facilitating data-driven decision-making, and fostering collaboration across industries, these technologies are paving the way for a more sustainable future.
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