When it comes to sustainability, technology can be a double-edged sword. While there are digital solutions that can help companies streamline operations and minimize their carbon footprints, it’s also true that heavy use of technology can consume large amounts of energy.
Balancing leveraging technology solutions for more sustainable operations with managing how (and how much) they lean on energy-consuming digital tools and processes can be a complicated challenge for organizations across industries. Below, members of Forbes Technology Council discuss smart ways companies can maximize (and minimize) their tech usage to boost sustainability and shrink their environmental impact.
1. Leverage Online Collaboration Platforms
Leveraging online collaboration platforms reduces business travel. Less time spent driving and flying will reduce the carbon emissions that contribute to climate change. Access to high-speed, low-latency, ubiquitous broadband connectivity is key to successful use of online collaborative platforms. Leaders concerned about sustainability should prioritize these tools when planning their annual operating strategies. – Glenn Katz, Telesat
2. Embrace Network Technologies
Nowadays, network technologies help businesses to not only sustain their operations, but also to scale. For example, Netflix would have remained solely a DVD rental company if it hadn’t embraced the rise of internet technology. Over the past 70 years, network technologies have undergone revolutionary changes, and it is essential for companies to keep pace with them. – Alexander Britkin, NFWare
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3. Optimize Resource Use Via Advanced Data Analytics
One practical way organizations can leverage technology for sustainability is by implementing advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence to optimize resource use. These technologies can significantly reduce waste and energy consumption by predicting demand and enhancing efficiency across operations. – Savitri Sagar, Kenzo Infotech
4. Digitize Core Operations
To achieve sustainability goals, companies need to look at the indirect benefits of digitizing their core operations. For example, digitizing the mortgage process doesn’t just save paper, but also avoids everyone needing to travel to come to the closing table. How do your operations impact your employees and customers? You’ll find that providing a better, digital experience often leads to a lower environmental impact. – Pat Kinsel, Proof (fka Notarize)
5. Reimagine The Design, Manufacture And Disposal Of Products
Look inward to reimagine how to design, manufacture and dispose of products, ensuring you minimize the environmental impact of each step. Technology that shows all aspects of the supply chain provides a clear view into operations. With a line of sight into product development, sustainable processes can easily be tracked, providing a complete understanding and enabling you to meet consumer expectations related to sustainability. – Ross Meyercord, Propel Software
6. Set Up Systems To Track Environmental Data
One of the most critical aspects of accelerating sustainability progress and goals is the ability to track, analyze and report reliable environmental data quickly. Knowing this, we implemented Salesforce’s Net Zero Cloud with Workiva’s reporting platform to help us make better, data-driven decisions as we decarbonize our operations and work to achieve a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. – Daragh Mahon, Werner Enterprises
7. Adopt A Digital-First Approach
I love the smell of books and the feeling of paper in my hands, but to be an ecologically responsible company, adopt a digital-first approach. Think twice before printing reports if they can be viewed interactively online. Evaluate if one-time use printouts are necessary, and use AI to create digital notes for you instead of going through reams of notebooks. – Teri Thomas, Volpara Health
8. Explore Local Production Options
There are three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, social and governance. Companies must address all three. Environmental aspects, such as CO2 emissions, get a lot of attention, but social and governance factors are equally vital. Local production positively impacts all three dimensions. It reduces transport distances, empowers creators globally while producing locally, and ensures production meets strict codes of conduct. – Henrik Müller-Hansen, Gelato
9. Use AI Predictive Maintenance Tools
Utility operators have seen an immediate improvement from simple AI applications, such as using AI to determine which trees are most at risk of bringing down power lines (the No. 1 cause of outages). AI can predict which equipment is about to fail so operators can take steps before it does. It can also create more accurate underground maps so operators can avoid costly missteps when expanding energy networks. – Steve Smith, National Grid Partners
10. Focus On Operational Efficiency
A focus on operational efficiency is the first practical step on the journey to meeting sustainability goals. Aspects include continuous monitoring to adapt to business conditions and opportunities, utilization of AI-based automation to optimize asset-intensive processes, and leveraging generative AI for guidance on the right pathways to achieve long-term sustainability goals. – Heiko Claussen, Aspen Technology, Inc.
11. Test Designs Via Digital Twin Technology
Much of a company’s impact comes from the products it makes, pointing to the importance of sustainable design and raw materials. Digital twin technology allows organizations to test design decisions via a virtual replica, which not only reduces the time between iterations, but also eliminates the need for physical prototypes, saving materials and production resources to further sustainability goals. – Neil D’Souza, Makersite
12. Optimize Energy Usage Through Internet Of Things Devices
One practical way to boost sustainability is implementing IoT-based energy management systems. These systems use sensors and smart meters to monitor and optimize energy consumption in real time, reducing waste and improving efficiency. By identifying patterns and areas of high usage, organizations can make informed decisions to reduce their carbon footprints and lower their energy costs. – Hadi Tabani, Liquid Technologies
13. Implement Asset Performance Management Principles
Organizations can leverage technology to meet sustainability goals by implementing rigorous asset performance management principles and data-driven frameworks. When implemented, they optimize asset production and minimize waste and costs, leading to greater efficiency, sustainability and ROI. – Alexander Clausbruch, Radix
14. Leverage Energy-Efficient Data Centers And Cloud Services
Organizations can improve sustainability by implementing energy-efficient data centers and cloud services. For instance, using AI-driven optimization strategies to manage server loads and cooling systems can greatly decrease power consumption. We’ve seen tech leaders cut energy usage in their data centers in half, which demonstrates how tech innovations can drive substantial environmental benefits. – Ivan Guzenko, SmartyAds Inc.
15. Reduce The Need For New Devices Through Virtualization
Virtualization allows the efficient use of existing hardware, reducing the need for new devices. This not only helps companies cut costs, but also minimizes the environmental impact of manufacturing. By running multiple operating systems on a single device, virtualization eliminates the need for multiple devices, promoting eco-friendly practices. – Prashant Ketkar, Parallels (part of Alludo)
16. Tap Into The Expertise Of Specialists
To meet sustainability goals, organizations should calculate their carbon footprints by working with specialized tech providers to identify key improvement areas. Additionally, exploring audited carbon-offset programs can enhance sustainability strategies, particularly for financial institutions aiming to meet ESG goals. – Karan Jain, NayaOne
17. Look At New Tech Investments Through A Sustainability Lens
Sustainability has expanded to include not just environmental goals, but also larger goals around business continuity and longevity. Reconsider what fits into that new definition, and apply that focus to your tech investments, maintaining the integrity of critical challenges related to supply chain optimization, talent retention and recruitment, and boosting employee productivity and impact. – Ed Jennings, Quickbase
