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Next-generation semiconductor sustainability strategies

As a central component of almost all electronic devices and found in everything from medical equipment to automobiles, semiconductors are essential to modern life. As the expansion of AI drives another wave of growth for the industry in coming years, this is even more true than ever before.

About the series

Rapid growth comes with an array of opportunities and potential challenges, and the semiconductor industry should respond rigorously to internal and external pressures for sustainability across every aspect of the business. From climate emissions associated with energy used in the manufacture and lifetime operation of semiconductors and to the environmental impact of chemicals used in their manufacture to social issues associated with roles deep in the supply chain, industry leaders know that its growth—and indeed its social license to operate—is contingent on addressing environmental and social concerns.

This series explores, in-depth, the six next-generation sustainability strategies Deloitte has identified as emerging in the semiconductor industry to help advance global decarbonization and other sustainability goals:

  • Address direct emissions from semiconductor manufacturing

  • Design products to reduce energy use and emissions throughout their life cycle

  • Address Scope 3 ecosystem emissions and sustainable procurement

  • Reengineer products, logistics, and business models for circularity

  • Develop new, sustainability-related businesses and revenue streams

  • 'Sharpen' sustainability strategies and integrate them into the business

Rising to the challenge: Semiconductor sustainability trends

As the semiconductor sector continues to grow, it’s largely meeting the challenge of sustainability head-on. Four dominant industry trends have emerged, driving the five prevailing strategies outlined below. Start with this overview and follow the series as we take a deeper look at each of these drivers and sustainability strategies.

Semiconductor sustainability: Emissions reduction by design

Among industry leaders, a cooperative, ecosystem-wide effort is under way to reduce energy use, and emissions, across the entire semiconductor life cycle. Driven by demand, these semiconductor companies are working with each other, with customers and from within to prioritize energy efficiency—from manufacturing through to end use.

Semiconductor sustainability: Manufacturing change

The seemingly exponential growth of the semiconductor industry has not only increased demand for more powerful chips, but more sustainable fabrication and assembly as well. At the same time stakeholders are calling for more effort to curb emissions and other environmental impacts, manufacturers are learning sustainability enhancements also tend to increase efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Semiconductor sustainability: New life through circularity

From increased regulation to supply chain issues and more, there are several reasons a shift to circularity makes sense for the semiconductor industry. Explore three solutions companies are implementing to reengineer semiconductor products, logistics, and business models to support circularity.

Semiconductor sustainability: Efforts across the value chain

Work toward near-term net-zero emissions, as well as environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals, has led the semiconductor industry to make significant sustainability progress. Now, as manufacturers look to address emissions across the value chain (Scope 3), they’re leveraging three principal solutions to engage suppliers, distributors, clients and everyone in between.

Semiconductor sustainability: Uncovering new revenue streams

Semiconductor companies are responding to various consumer, corporate, and other demands, implementing five key strategies to drive business value through sustainability-related brand differentiation, as well as new business lines and revenue streams.

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