As we navigate through the era of digital transformation, it is vital to consider the environmental impact of our growing dependence on IT infrastructure. Matt Warburton, a sustainability expert at ISG, emphasizes that IT infrastructure and data centers need to focus more on eco-friendly practices.
At present, the drive for sustainability seems to be overlooking crucial areas such as emissions, water, and waste from workplace devices. These aspects, intricately tied to our day-to-day operations, contribute significantly to environmental degradation. Yet, they often get side-lined amidst the growing emphasis on eco-friendly business practices.
With industries like construction, manufacturing, and transportation increasingly decarbonizing, IT’s environmental impact is projected to rise due to increased usage. This is particularly true for industries with high reliance on IT, which tend to have a larger carbon footprint than those with less IT intensity.
How then can we address this pressing issue? Implementing an environmental, social, and governance data strategy is a good starting point. With such a strategy in place, businesses can track their environmental impact and make data-driven decisions to reduce it.
Education also plays a crucial role. By educating staff on sustainable practices, businesses can promote a culture of sustainability that extends beyond mere compliance. This could include simple practices like turning off devices when not in use, or more complex strategies like optimizing data center operations for energy efficiency.
Setting a net-zero IT goal is another effective measure. This ambitious but achievable target will motivate businesses to continuously improve their IT-related eco practices, thus reducing their environmental impact.
Interestingly, Chief Information Officers (CIOs) are beginning to acknowledge the cost-saving potential of sustainable strategies. They are increasingly being tasked with providing tech solutions for sustainability issues in business operations. This not only contributes to environmental preservation but also helps businesses achieve their sustainability goals while reducing operational costs.
However, it is important to bear in mind that the environmental impact of IT is set to grow in relation to overall business impacts. As we continue to rely more heavily on IT and as key business processes decarbonize, businesses need to be proactive in implementing and enforcing sustainable IT practices.
While our reliance on IT infrastructure and data centers is unlikely to wane in the near future, there is ample scope for implementing and improving eco-friendly practices in this area, thereby contributing to a more sustainable world.
