Let’s face it, we all want to save the planet. But when it comes to actually implementing sustainable practices within a business, it can feel like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.
Today, sustainability has become a pressing concern for businesses, with more than six out of 10 technology professionals around the world considering it a highly significant business priority, according a recent report.
The Cisco and IDC study, titled “The Role of Technology in Enabling Sustainability: A Global Survey of IT Professionals“, revealed that this is largely due to the implementation of well-established sustainability policies and mandates, substantial investments in renewable energy, and the influence of geopolitical factors.
“In today’s world, sustainability has become a critical business imperative. Key stakeholders demand it, from customers and investors to employees and regulators,” said Reem Asaad, Vice President, Cisco Middle East and Africa.
“We believe that businesses can play a crucial role in supporting the region’s sustainability goals by accelerating commitment, execution capability, and resource availability. One of Cisco’s key priorities in the region is to support our customers in leveraging the power of technology in driving business impact and sustainability outcomes.”
Here are five actionable insights that can positively impact any organisations:
- Making IT a critical player
Collaborative efforts across all departments are crucial for achieving sustainability goals within an organisation. The IT department, with its proficiency in innovation and digitalisation, can play a significant role in driving investments and implementing critical technologies while integrating sustainability into all business operations.
A growing number of organisations are recognising this and giving IT more empowerment. However, the report states that only 22 percent of organisations in 2022 had IT take a lead role in sustainability strategy formulation and progress, indicating a positive trend but still leaving much room for improvement.
- Shifting from compliance to business outcomes
The report highlights a shift in attitude towards sustainability, moving away from merely complying with regulations and instead viewing it as a strategic advantage. It shows a change in top sustainability drivers from mandates, regulatory requirements, and reputational risk in 2021 to improving operational efficiency, competitive differentiation, innovation, and revenue growth in 2022.
- Developing a data strategy
According to a study, the biggest operational challenge for 54 percent of surveyed companies in managing and tracking sustainability performance was the aggregation of data. However, a comprehensive data management strategy was found to be a key attribute for sustainability success.
The study also revealed that 43 percent of companies considered to be “sustainability pioneers” had developed and operationalised such a strategy, compared to only 30 percent of “sustainability starters.”
- Establishing clear KPIs
Organisations considered as “sustainability pioneers” excel in measuring and tracking their sustainability performance and progress towards their goals through dashboards that track key indicators such as energy management, decarbonisation, and other sustainability metrics. These organisations create a clear picture of what’s effective and what needs improvement. Additionally, they compare their metrics with industry benchmarks in fast-evolving, highly regulated environments.
- Selecting trusted advisors
Investments in sustainable IT infrastructure can lead to positive business outcomes such as energy savings, operational efficiency, and waste reduction. IT leaders are advised to take the lead in selecting, purchasing, implementing, and managing these technologies. However, it is important to note that IT cannot achieve these goals alone. Many IT leaders recognise the need for a trusted technology vendor that closely aligns with their sustainability goals.
