## 4 Results and Discussion
### Energy Efficiency Improvement Strategies and Implementation Challenges  
Energy efficiency stands out as a critical strategy for sustainable production and carbon footprint reduction. Optimizing energy consumption in industrial and manufacturing sectors is crucial for both environmental sustainability and cost management. Literature reviews have examined strategies for improving energy efficiency and the challenges encountered in implementing these strategies under various headings. Among the strategies to improve energy efficiency, Energy Monitoring and Management Systems (EMS) come first. EMS prevents energy waste and generates savings by monitoring and managing energy consumption in real-time during production processes. These systems are widely used in large manufacturing plants and play an essential role in ensuring energy efficiency. In addition, the integration of renewable energy sources is one of the fundamental components of energy efficiency improvement strategies. The inclusion of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and biomass into production processes reduces energy costs and dependence on fossil fuels, thereby shrinking the carbon footprint. Another important strategy is the use of energy-saving technologies. Upgrading industrial machines and equipment to energy-efficient models is recognized as an effective method for enhancing energy efficiency. Technologies such as high-efficiency motors, heat recovery systems, and LED lighting significantly reduce energy consumption in \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l c c c} \hline \hline  & & **Role** & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Environmental**} \\  & & & **Sustainability** \\ \hline \multirow{3}{*}{ERP Systems} & \multirow{3}{*}{75} & Data Integration \& Carbon Footprint Management & 30 \\  & & Sustainable Supply Chain Management & 25 \\  & & Waste Management \& Energy Efficiency & 20 \\  & & Smart Manufacturing \& Resource Optimization & 35 \\ Industry 4.0 Tech. & 90 & DigitalTwins \& Life Cycle Assessment & 25 \\  & & Waste \& Emission Control & 30 \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 7: The Role of ERP Systems, Industry 4.0, and Sustainability in Carbon Footprint Management. production processes. Waste heat recovery reduces energy consumption by reusing waste heat generated during production processes, thus lowering production costs. However, there are several challenges in implementing these strategies. The primary challenge is high initial costs. Integrating renewable energy sources, installing energy monitoring systems, and purchasing energy-efficient equipment require significant financial investments, which pose a significant barrier, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. Additionally, the lack of compatibility between older industrial machines and new energy-efficient technologies complicates technological integration processes. This makes the integration of innovations aimed at energy efficiency costly and time-consuming within existing systems. Data deficiency also emerges as a major challenge. The effective implementation of energy efficiency strategies requires the regular and accurate collection of energy usage data. However, many businesses lack the necessary infrastructure to collect and analyze energy consumption data. In addition, employee training and awareness deficiencies are among the factors that hinder the implementation of energy efficiency strategies. Employees need to be trained on these technologies and raised awareness about energy-saving practices, but a shortage of expertise in this area presents a significant challenge. Lastly, policy and regulatory shortcomings also hinder the implementation of energy efficiency strategies. The lack of government policies promoting energy efficiency strategies forms a significant barrier to their implementation. Government incentives and regulatory frameworks can facilitate businesses' transition to energy efficiency strategies, but the lack of such incentives creates challenges during implementation.