Why COP30 Matters to the Electronics Industry and How Manufacturers Can Lead

By Sandy Gentry, Communications Director

As the world’s climate leaders convene at COP30, their decisions will ripple far beyond the conference. For electronics manufacturing — from printed circuit board production through product assembly to end-of-life recycling — the agenda is a roadmap for transformation. 

Mining, material sourcing, and device lifecycles are now part of the broader climate and equity conversation at COP30. For electronics companies, this means the spotlight is expanding beyond carbon reduction to include the full environmental and social footprint of materials and supply chains.

Here we elaborate on why COP30 matters and how companies are taking steps that show sustainability efforts aren’t an obligation; they're the path to innovation.

Electronics Manufacturing in the (Energy Efficient) Spotlight

Manufacturing electronics has always been complex: high energy use, a mix of materials (some critical or rare), global supply chains, and evolving product lifecycles. At COP30, several themes matter directly to the electronics sector:

• Decarbonization and Energy Efficiency: As governments increase emission reduction targets, manufacturers face higher expectations around energy use and GHG tracking.
• Circular Economy and Materials: The “take‑make‑waste” model is under pressure; reuse, recycling and designing for disassembly are increasingly central.
• Responsible Supply Chains: New trade, regulatory or environmental frameworks will ask for deeper transparency across multi‑tier suppliers.
• Design and Innovation: Sustainable design is a fore thought, core to competitiveness, and meeting customer and investor demands.

At this COP, the conversation will not just be about pledges — it will be about proof. Electronics manufacturers are uniquely positioned to demonstrate measurable progress through smarter design, circular systems, and transparent reporting across the product lifecycle. 

Real World Stories: Manufacturers Walking the Talk

Let’s bring the conversation to the factory floor. Here are four Global Electronics Association member companies that illustrate how the themes above become action.

LG Electronics -- Smart Manufacturing and Resource Efficiency

At its Changwon factory in Korea, LG Electronics used a digital twin of the assembly line to simulate and optimize operations, resulting in a 30% reduction in energy consumption, a 70% improvement in product quality, and a 17% productivity boost. Sustainable Manufacturing Expo
 

This is exactly the kind of innovation COP30 will encourage: leveraging digital tools to reduce manufacturing footprint and improve sustainability metrics.

Jabil Inc. -- Embedding Sustainability Across Operations and Product and Supply Chain Practices

• Jabil recently reported a 46% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to its 2019 baseline. Nasdaq+1
• It has expanded its Scope 3 indirect emissions inventory (to account more fully for upstream/downstream impacts) and improved its landfill diversion efforts (10 % of applicable sites certified at 90 %+ diversion) in its FY2024 report. Jabil+1
• Jabil joined the Circular Electronics Partnership (CEP), signaling a commitment to circular economy collaboration across the electronics industry. CEP 2030+1

Flex – Showcasing How Manufacturing Operations are Transforming

• The World Economic Forum designated Flex’s factory in Sorocaba, Brazil, as a “Sustainability Lighthouse”, resulting from Flex’s ability to reduce , Scope 1 and  2 emissions by 41%, eliminated 44 kt of Scope 3 emissions, and cut water consumption by over 30%. PR Newswire
• Flex’s facility in Poland runs on 100% renewable energy and was awarded the Ericsson AB Supplier Sustainability Award for its contributions to reducing downstream customer emissions. Flex
• In 2025, Flex was named Ford Motor Company’s Sustainability Supplier of the Year for its work on a product level carbon footprint tracking pilot in partnership with Ford (built on the CatenaX framework). Flex Investors

Koh Young Technology – Committed to Environmental Stewardship

• The company has invested in rooftop solar arrays at multiple facilities, including a 75 kW installation at its Seoul R&D center, generating nearly 95,400 kWh annually and reducing emissions by 44 tCO₂e. Fleet electrification is also underway, with over half of corporate vehicles now electric, and plans to expand further.
• Koh Young’s advanced 3D inspection systems significantly cut PCB waste—reducing scrap from 300 units to 32 in one example—demonstrating how process innovation drives sustainable production. Workplace initiatives such as eliminating disposable cups, installing food-waste processors, and upcycling materials further reinforce a culture of reuse.
• All waste and hazardous materials are managed in compliance with global standards, including RoHS 2 and MSDS protocols, with 100 % of recyclable waste streams fully recycled. Water-saving measures at key sites reduce annual consumption by 200 tons.
• Koh Young’s KY8030, Zenith AOI, and KSMART platforms use AI, predictive maintenance, and real-time data to optimize production yields, minimize material use, and lower environmental impact. Community Magazine

What This Means for Executives and Engineering Teams: A Call to Action

If you’re in leadership or on the engineering team in an electronics manufacturing company, here’s how to translate the COP30 agenda into concrete action items:

• Audit your metrics: Are you tracking energy use, materials circularity, supplier transparency, product end-of-life returns?
• Design for sustainability: Embed circularity, repairability, and recyclability early in product design.
• Digitize operations: Use digital twins, real-time monitoring, AI/analytics to optimize resource use
• Build resilient supply networks: Deeply map your supplier tiers, enforce standards, provide support/training.
• Communicate and differentiate: Sustainability is increasingly a brand and business strategy. Investors and customers expect it.
• Look ahead to regulation: COP30 will likely shape emerging regulations; early movers gain advantage; laggards risk cost, disruption or reputational damage.

Ultimately, COP30 raises the bar for accountability. The companies that can demonstrate progress — not just intentions — across sourcing, manufacturing, and end-of-life will set the standard for the next decade of electronics innovation.

Why the Evolve Program Matters

Within the Evolve program, we help electronics manufacturers translate these vast sustainability goals into engineering roadmaps, product strategies and supply chain workflows. By working together, our members can lead the transition and set new industry benchmarks.

Business and Sustainable Innovation is Here

COP30 represents more than a policy event, it’s a strategic accelerator for the electronics industry. Those who move early, integrate sustainability into design and manufacturing, and embrace transformation will thrive.

As we look ahead, the era of “business as usual” is over. The era of “business plus sustainable innovation” is here.