In a recent report from the World Economic Forum exploring Innovation and Adaptation in the Climate Crisis, six technologies are highlighted as being critical for climate adaptation. One of these is virtual reality (VR).
The report explores ‘technology for the new normal’ and looks at how data-driven and digital technologies are emerging as mission-critical tools for climate adaptation. Almost every sector of the global economy is exposed to some degree of climate-related risk and climate adaptation is the process of adjusting social and economic systems to alleviate the impacts for businesses and communities.
Let’s explore how VR can help boost sustainable practice, transform industries and drive competitive advantage.
Enhanced realism
Augmented reality (AR) and VR are technologies that provide immersive experiences. This is achieved by superimposing digital features on physical environments or using hardware such as headsets and large immersive display environments to fully immerse users with 1:1 scale and in real time.
AR and VR are increasingly being used to change our behaviour around climate action and adaptation. By simulating the impacts of climate change, for example, VR headsets can show users a world with climate impacts such as changed weather patterns and biodiversity loss.
Reduced travel
VR offers immersive experiences that transcend physical boundaries, enabling streamlined operations, enhanced productivity and cost reduction. With VR, organisations can reduce environmental impact by eliminating the need for physical travel and resource-intensive activities. From conducting virtual meetings and training sessions to conducting collaborative design reviews.
Streamlined operations
VR has revolutionised the prototyping and design process, enabling organisations to create, visualise and iterate on products and designs in virtual environments. By simulating real-world scenarios and testing design concepts in VR, organisations can identify potential inefficiencies, optimise performance and minimise waste during the product development lifecycle.
From architectural design and manufacturing to urban planning and infrastructure development, VR is empowering early adopters to design with sustainability in mind.
Reduced waste
VR enables organisations to increase efficiency and productivity through right first-time design. By simulating and testing design concepts in virtual environments, organisations can identify and address potential issues early in the development process, minimising rework, waste and resource consumption. This approach not only accelerates time-to-market but also ensures that products and processes are optimised for sustainability from the outset and reduces physical prototyping.
VR presents transformative opportunities to enhance operations, combat wasteful activities and add additional value to businesses. By harnessing its power, businesses can help pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future.