Green Six Sigma

Apply the tried-and-tested principles of Six Sigma to the fight against climate change

In this much needed book, Dr Ron Basu delivers an insightful exploration as well as sage advice on how to apply the principles of Lean Six Sigma to today’s climate crisis. Green Six Sigma: A Lean Approach to Sustainable Climate Change Initiatives is an adaption of Lean Six Sigma for climate change initiatives. How can we use Green Six Sigma urgently and effectively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the harmful effects of global warming?

This practical and workable book covers topics that are highly relevant to the times we live in:

• Climate change challenges and initiatives to mitigate them
• Examination of the Green Six Sigma approach, its tools and techniques as well as modifications to incorporate both the digital revolution and sustainability
• Applications of the Green Six Sigma approach to a variety of areas relevant to climate change and in all economic sectors including energy, transport, manufacturing, services and agriculture
• Green Six Sigma in retrofitting houses and climate adaptation
• Guides to the implementation of sustainable climate change initiatives

This book is an eye-opening resource, perfect for anyone responsible for sustainability or climate change initiatives at their organisations, NGOs or regulatory agencies. It is also a must-read for academics, managers, participants and practitioners of Six Sigma and Operational Excellence.

Preface ix

Acknowledgements xiii

About the Author xv

Chapter 1: Climate Change Challenges 1

Chapter 2: International and National Climate Change Initiatives 13

Chapter 3: The Evolution of Six Sigma, Lean Six Sigma and Green Six Sigma 27

Chapter 4: More of Green Six Sigma 53

Chapter 5: Green Six Sigma Tools 95

Chapter 6: The Digital Revolution and Climate Change 197

Chapter 7: Green Six Sigma and Clean Energy 219

Chapter 8: Green Six Sigma and Green Supply Chain 235

Chapter 9: Green Six Sigma and Green Transport 259

Chapter 10: Green Six Sigma and Retrofitting Buildings 275

Chapter 11: Green Six Sigma and Climate Adaptation 291

Chapter 12: Implementation: Making It Happen 311

Appendix 1: Carbon Footprint Factsheet 345

Appendix 2: Yield Conversion Table 351

References 353

Glossary 361

Index 377

Ron Basu, PhD, is Director of RB Consultants and a Visiting Fellow at Henley Business School, England. He is also a Visiting Professor at SKEMA Business School in France. His specialties are in Operational Excellence and supply chain management and his research interests include performance management and project management.

In this much needed book, Dr Ron Basu delivers an insightful exploration as well as sage advice on how to apply the principles of Lean Six Sigma to today’s climate crisis. Green Six Sigma: A Lean Approach to Sustainable Climate Change Initiatives is an adaption of Lean Six Sigma for climate change initiatives. How can we use Green Six Sigma urgently and effectively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the harmful effects of global warming?

This practical and workable book covers topics that are highly relevant to the times we live in:

• Climate change challenges and initiatives to mitigate them
• Examination of the Green Six Sigma approach, its tools and techniques as well as modifications to incorporate both the digital revolution and sustainability
• Applications of the Green Six Sigma approach to a variety of areas relevant to climate change and in all economic sectors including energy, transport, manufacturing, services and agriculture
• Green Six Sigma in retrofitting houses and climate adaptation
• Guides to the implementation of sustainable climate change initiatives

Apply the principles of Six Sigma to your company’s next climate change initiative

Green Six Sigma: A Lean Approach to Sustainable Climate Change Initiatives offers leaders and organizations a practical and hands-on approach to implementing their next climate change mitigation project. Applying the principles of Lean Six Sigma to the practical realities of sustainability initiatives, renowned Six Sigma and Operational Excellence consultant Ron Basu walks readers through the relevant principles of Lean Six Sigma and demonstrates their application in an environmental context.

The book also explores the application of Green Six Sigma to various functional areas in business, including digital technology, energy, supply chains, transport, building retrofits and climate change adaptations. Each of the included chapters includes “Green Tips” that offer immediately applicable advice businesses can implement to get real results on their existing or contemplated climate change initiatives. With a completely novel approach to accelerating and implementing organizational sustainability projects, Green Six Sigma includes refreshing and eye-opening strategies for tackling one of the most foundational and existential problems of our time.

Green Six Sigma is a must-read book for community and government leaders with responsibility for climate change initiatives. It will also earn a place in the libraries of functional managers, participants, and practitioners of Six Sigma and Operational Excellence seeking insight into the tools and techniques of sustainable improvement. Finally, senior executives in manufacturing and service industries, and professional management and training consultants will also find the insights contained within to be invaluable.