31 SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation – Pani Energy

Group Reflection

The AIM2Flourish story that we explored revolves around Pani, a Canadian company that specializes in developing smart water management solutions at a global level. Our client, Pani, developed an innovation that lies in its use of artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize water treatment processes, reducing energy consumption and improving overall efficiency. Internally, the innovators at Pani, are driven by a deep commitment to addressing water scarcity and environmental sustainability (Pani, 2022). Pani discusses the weight of the water sector on environemntal challenges such as that 10% of global emissions are in the water sector, 52% of the global population could face water stress by 2050 and the 40% gap in water supply and demand (Pani, 2022). Considering this, their approach involves harnessing cutting-edge technology to tackle one of the world’s most pressing issues, clean water access. Our client targets six of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; number six (Clean Water and Sanitation), number eight (Decent Work and Economic Growth), number nine (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), number 11 (Sustainable cities and Communities), number 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and number 13 (Climate Action) (United Nations, 2023). Considering this, it is clear that Pani promotes sustainability and socially responsible processes as the forefront of their company’s mission. Overall, the interview with Pani leaders shed light on their motivations, challenges faced, and the positive impact they aim to achieve while leaving room for areas of growth which we recognize in this reflection.

Furthermore, at a group reflection level we found ourselves impressed by the fusion of technology and sustainability at the core of Pani’s business model. The integration of AI for more efficient water treatment aligns with our belief that technological innovation plays a pivotal role in addressing global challenges. Our interview with Lareina Kostenchuck, Pani’s facilitator of customer success, touched on the impact of the digital revolution and demand for efficiency. However, we also felt a sense of reflection on how technology can be harnessed responsibly, considering potential environmental and ethical implications while recommending new approaches to spread greater awareness of their innovation.
Moreover, when connecting our clients’ innovation with academic knowledge, we find several points of intersection with sustainability and corporate responsibility. Pani’s focus on optimizing water treatment processes directly aligns with the concept of the triple bottom line, emphasizing social, environmental, and economic impacts (Miller, 2022). The triple bottom line theory suggests that the categories of the three P’s: profit, people and the planet conceptualize their environmental responsibility (Miller, 2022). It proposes a business venture emphasizing purpose over profit. With the majority of companies focusing on their financial accounts, Pani adopted the triple bottom line approach that has allowed them to capatilize on the growing market of sustainably-aware consumers. Evidence by the Sustainable Business Strategy group, notes a superior financial return for companies with promising ESG metrics (environmental, social and governence metrics) (Miller, 2022). Through a final reflection it is clear that the triple bottom line theory reinforces the importance of businesses adopting a proactive stance in addressing societal challenges. It challenges the conventional perception that profit-making and sustainability are mutually exclusive. Pani serves as a case study showcasing how businesses can integrate innovative solutions to contribute positively to the environment and society while remaining financially viable. With financial incentives from the Canadian government, the SDTC and NSERC, our client has developed the capacity to develop a global presence using incentives from outside sources. Considering the push for higher levels of sustainable practices within businesses, targeting sustainable processes can be further pursued with the help of financial allocations for climate change initiatives. Ultimately, highlighting the incentives for CSR-focused start-ups has allowed us to reflect on the focus for sustainably-focused organizations, which Pani has capatilized on.

Additionally, exploring Pani also showed the critical role of accountability in sustainable business practices. The company’s commitment to transparency in its operations and the use of technology for real-time monitoring and reporting showcase a commitment to being held accountable for its environmental impact. Learning from Pani, we recognize that being open about operations and impact not only fosters trust but also facilitates continuous improvement in sustainability practices. Pani details their contributions, and quantitative impacts of their innovation embodying the definition of transparency which we consider to be one of the primary indicators of genuine CSR mission.

Despite the many positive outcomes of Pani’s innovation, it raised questions about the potential unintended consequences of technology-driven solutions. As we move towards an increasingly digitized world, it becomes crucial to consider the footprint of technologies like AI. Exploring this story made us more aware of the need for responsible innovation, where the benefits of technology are maximized while minimizing any negative consequences. Since the recent evolution of AI, at a personal, academic and professional level it is evident that there are anticipated negative impacts that may arise. Specifically, the aspect of human closeness, employment, and wealth inequality are three areas we wanted to highlight that may stem from the implmentation of AI within water treatment facilities (Tai, 2020). With this, we recommend that Pani maintains awareness of the employee disruption that may stem from their programming. As discussed in the interview, Lareina mentioned that their system will allow for individuals to “stop writing on clipboards and losing information”, and rather have it automatically processed with their AI software. Following this, we reflected that jobs could potentially be lost due to their change (Tai, 2020). While it can reduce errors related to human fatigue, accomplishing duties faster and more accurately, it can also lack human understanding and sensitivity (Tai, 2020). We recommend that Pani works to offer their digitized solution to water treatment inefficiencies through the development of policies that will assure the AI augments human participation, rather than removing it. Additionally, while Pani’s AI tool is a system that automatically runs, they should educate companies to empower workers to stay ahead in the “race with robots” (Pew, 2018). Even though aspects of a water treatment facilitator/data collector will be made simpler and more efficient, the reliance on AI should not be sufficient.

Further, while reflecting on Pani’s contributions, it is clear that with their six sustainable development goal targets it is difficult to provide further recommendations. The company did not simply add sustainability practices to their business plan, rather developed their plan from these targets. With critical analysis, we discovered that a focus on community awareness and marketing can help drive their local impact. As discussed in the interview, Lareina pointed out that their outreach and marketing tactics are restrained to industry-level awareness. We recommend that the company communicate their efforts within local communities to enhance their brand’s awareness and reputation (Long, 2023). In communities where water access is scarce, outreach to local programs, and governments could help raise awareness to promote financial incentives in these regions. By doing this, it would target additional SDG targets of number fifteen (Life on Land) and SDG target ten (reduce inequalities). By actively engaging in communities, Pani would have the capacity to promote the protection, and restoration of sustainable ecosystems; more efficient water treatment solutions, less water and resources will be wasted. In a similar light, we noted that a community awareness of Pani’s innovation could help reduce inequalities for water access. Additionally, it can offer a route for the encouragement of official development assistance, foreign investment to less developed countries which directly contributes to goal ten (United Nations, 2023). All in all, while reflecting on Pani’s significant progress as a sustainably focused organization there are additional ways to increase their global significance.

Overall, reflecting on the AIM2Flourish story, we see potential shifts in all of our future actions and thinking. As a prospective businessperson, our client encourages us to consider sustainability as a core element of any business endeavor. Pani serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that businesses can be successful while actively contributing to environmental and social well-being. Specifically, we anticipate being more conscious of the environmental impact of technological solutions. The story has prompted us to consider how emerging technologies, such as AI, can be harnessed responsibly to address global challenges. We see a connection between this exercise and a future where we actively seek out and support businesses that prioritize sustainability and ethical practices.

In summary, exploring the AIM2Flourish story has expanded our understanding of the intersection between business and sustainability. It challenges conventional notions and provides a real-world example of how innovative solutions can contribute to a flourishing world. To our client we recommend the adaptation of community outreach alongside a shift in AI implementation with continued human involvement. Overall, Pani has influenced our perspective on the role of businesses in society and will likely shape our future actions both as business professionals and in personal spending.

References

Long, S. (2023, June 20). The importance of Community Education and outreach for people, the planet and business. Green Business Bureau. https://greenbusinessbureau.com/green-practices/employees/the-importance-of-comm unity-education-and-outreach-for-people-the-planet-and-business/#:~:text=Businesses %2C%20like%20people%2C%20are%20community,purpose%2Ddriven%20and%20 trustworthy%20company

Miller, K. (2020, December 8). The triple bottom line: What it is & why it’s important. Business Insights Blog. https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/what-is-the-triple-bottom-line Pani: Water Optimization. Pani (2022). (n.d.). https://www.pani.global/

Pew Research Center. (2018, December 10). 2. solutions to address AI’s anticipated negative impacts. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech.
https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2018/12/10/solutions-to-address-ais-anticipated -negative-impacts/

Tai, M.-T. (2020). The impact of Artificial Intelligence on Human Society and Bioethics. Tzu Chi Medical Journal, 32(4), 339. https://doi.org/10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_71_20 United Nations. (2023). The 17 goals | sustainable development. United Nations. https://sdgs.un.org/goals

Individual Reflections

Wellcome: This Is what I learnt during the COIL programs. Firstly am glad I had group members whom were committed on our group,so we worked together from the beginning up until the end even though it was not always easy for us to reach one another.So what I understood is that working in a group is not always easy since not everyone is going to put the same effort like you do. But I am glad I had group members whom we were patient with and I learnt working in a group how it can help us solve a problem better than in an individual form. So it was my first time using some apps e.g Zoom, so I learnt how to operate it effectively. That will benefit me in future. Now I know better about some other countries before I even traveled to them. I was also introduced to google classroom which was something I’ve never heard about before but right now I have a better understanding, hopefully it will help a lot and I am willing to teach some of my peers about it since it is an effective way of sharing activities. Now I know that there is a Pani energy company that is operating in the world which achieves some of the SDGS and I learnt how times are differ.

Bruno: Engaging in the Aim2Flourish initiative proved to be an enriching experience that underscored the significance of teamwork. Collaborating with peers of diverse skills, origins and perspectives facilitated a constant exchange of ideas, challenging and broadening our collective understanding. The range of abilities, from research to writing and presentation, proved essential in comprehensively addressing the challenges posed by the initiative.
Throughout the process, we encountered obstacles that demanded a blend of creativity and resilience. Close collaboration fostered an environment where everyone felt free to express their opinions and contribute innovative ideas. Moreover, we learned to efficiently manage our time and resources, optimizing our individual strengths to achieve a coherent and robust outcome. The experience not only honed our practical skills but also deepened our appreciation for businesses with positive social and environmental impact. Teamwork, in the end, emerged as a catalyst for creating more robust and meaningful solutions, underscoring the idea that collaboration is key to addressing the complex challenges facing our society.

Miguel: Overall, working with my fellow teammates has been an extraordinary experience, filled with professional growth and personal fulfillment. Despite the diversity within the team, our collaboration has been smooth and productive, the unique perspective of everyone has helped us overcome challenges along the way. Throughout the activity we have had a remarkable learning experience. It has helped us grow in terms of organization and knowledge. Even though dealing with multiple time zones was one of the challenges we faced, we managed to set a time that suited everyone from the first reunion. The commitment and collective effort shared to achieve our common goals has been of great inspiration, that not only enhanced the quality of our work, but it also has strengthened our skills. Dealing with our differences has been a key strength that has contributed to an understanding and innovative work environment. Ultimately, I feel privileged and honored to have the opportunity to work with my colleagues in this COIL experience.

Vanessa: The Aim2Flourish assignment was an academic experience I have never experienced before. Having the opportunity to interview a company that has a direct impact on the sustainability of our world was very effective in understanding the true contribution of their innovation. Considering Pani Energy is a recently new company, they have won various awards and as a small Canadian company they have expanded to a global level highlighting their contributions to global sustainability practices. Working as a group with individuals from various parts of the world; Canada, Spain, and South Africa has helped in the personal and professional development that will likely be applied in the future. Despite language and time barriers, we managed to actively engage in the projects while encompassing differing perspectives. Overall, this assignment was interesting, insightful and beneficial to my learning and understanding of sustainability and its impact.