Choosing the Future We Want: Sustainability, PLM, and the Challenge of Long-Term Change
In his March blog post, Jos Voskuil reflects on a question that is becoming increasingly urgent for industry, governments, and society alike: Are we actively shaping the future – or simply reacting to it?
The article connects geopolitics, energy dependency, circular-economy challenges, and sustainability transformation to a topic close to the PGGA community: the role of PLM and Digital Threads in enabling long-term change.
Using examples ranging from global energy transitions to AI-driven electricity demand, Jos argues that sustainability is no longer just an environmental topic; it is becoming a question of resilience, competitiveness, and strategic independence.
At the same time, he highlights a difficult reality: even within sustainability-focused communities, mobilizing action remains challenging.
Key Themes from the PGGA Community Survey
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
- Digital Product Passports (DPP)
- Design for Sustainability (DfS)
- The intersection of PLM, AI, and sustainability
Rather than offering simplistic answers, the article challenges readers to think about their own sphere of influence and the role they can play in driving meaningful change.
A thoughtful and highly relevant read for anyone working at the intersection of PLM, engineering, sustainability, and digital transformation.