When it comes to sustainability, technology can be a double-edged sword. While there are digital solutions that can help companies streamline their operations and minimize their carbon footprints, it’s also true that heavy use of technology can consume large amounts of energy.
Balancing technology-leveraging solutions for more sustainable operations with managing how (and how much) they rely on energy-consuming digital tools and processes can be a complex challenge for organizations across industries. Below, its members Forbes Technology Council discuss smart ways companies can maximize (and minimize) their use of technology to enhance sustainability and shrink their environmental impact.
1. Leverage online collaboration platforms
Leveraging online collaboration platforms reduces business travel. Less driving and flying time will reduce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change. Access to high-speed, low-latency, ubiquitous broadband connectivity is key to the successful use of online collaborative platforms. Leaders concerned with sustainability should prioritize these tools when planning their annual operating strategies. – Glenn Katz, Telesat
2. Embrace network technologies
Today, network technologies help businesses not only sustain their business, but also scale. For example, Netflix would have remained solely a DVD rental company had it not embraced the rise of Internet technology. Over the past 70 years, network technologies have undergone revolutionary changes and it is important for companies to keep up with them. – Alexander Britkin, NFWare
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3. Optimize resource utilization through Advanced Data Analytics
A practical way organizations can leverage technology for sustainability is by applying advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence to optimize resource use. These technologies can significantly reduce waste and energy consumption by predicting demand and enhancing performance across operations. – Savitri Sagar, Kenzo Infotech
4. Digitization of key functions
To achieve sustainability goals, companies need to consider the indirect benefits of digitizing their core operations. For example, digitizing the mortgage process not only saves paper, but also avoids everyone having to travel to come to the closing table. How do your activities affect your employees and customers? You’ll find that providing a better, digital experience often leads to a lower environmental impact. – Pat Kinsel, Receipt (fka notarized act)
5. Reimagine product design, manufacturing and disposal
Look inward to rethink how you design, manufacture and dispose of products, ensuring you minimize the environmental impact of every step. Technology that shows all aspects of the supply chain provides a clear picture of operations. With a perspective on product development, sustainable processes can be easily tracked, providing a full understanding and allowing you to meet consumer expectations about sustainability. – Ross Meyerkord, Propel Software
6. Set up systems to monitor environmental data
One of the most critical aspects of accelerating progress and sustainability 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 our greenhouse gas emissions. greenhouse by 2035. – Darragh Mahon, Werner Enterprises
7. Adopt a Digital First Approach
I love the smell of books and the feel of paper in my hands, but to be an ecologically responsible company, it adopted a digital approach. Think twice before printing reports if they can be viewed interactively online. Assess whether single-use prints are necessary and use artificial intelligence to create digital notes for you instead of going through a series of notebooks. – Terry Thomas, Volpara Health
8. Explore local produce options
There are three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, social and governance. Companies need to 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 affects all three dimensions. It reduces transport distances, empowers creators globally while producing locally and ensures that production meets strict codes of conduct. – Henrik Müller-Hansen, Gelato
9. Use AI Predictive Maintenance Tools
Utilities have seen an immediate improvement from simple AI applications, such as using AI to determine which trees are most at risk of damaging power lines (the No. 1 cause of outages). Artificial intelligence can predict which equipment is about to fail, so operators can take action before it does. It can also create more accurate underground maps so operators can avoid costly mistakes when expanding energy networks. – Steve Smith, National Grid Partners
10. Focus on operational efficiency
Focusing on operational efficiency is the first practical step on the journey to achieving sustainability goals. Aspects include continuous monitoring to adapt to business conditions and opportunities, using AI-based automation to optimize asset-intensive processes, and leveraging productive AI to guide the right paths to achieve long-term sustainability goals. – Heiko Claussen, Aspen Technology, Inc.
11. Design testing via Digital Twin Technology
Much of a company’s impact comes from the products it produces, indicating the importance of sustainable design and raw materials. Digital Twin technology allows organizations to test design decisions through a virtual copy, 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 use through Internet Of Things devices
A practical way to enhance sustainability is to implement 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. Apply the Asset Performance Management Principles
Organizations can leverage technology to achieve sustainability goals by applying 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 example, using AI-based optimization strategies to manage server loads and cooling systems can significantly reduce energy consumption. We’ve seen technology leaders cut energy use in their data centers in half, which shows how technological innovations can deliver significant environmental benefits. – Ivan Gusenko, SmartyAds Inc.
15. Reduce the need for new devices through virtualization
Virtualization enables efficient use of existing hardware, reducing the need for new devices. This not only helps companies reduce costs, but also minimizes the environmental impact of production. By running multiple operating systems on a single device, virtualization eliminates the need for multiple devices, promoting environmentally friendly practices. – Prashant Ketkar, Parallels (part of Alludo)
16. Choose the expertise of the experts
To meet sustainability targets, organizations should calculate their carbon footprints by working with specialist technology providers to identify key areas for improvement. Additionally, exploring proven carbon offset programs can enhance sustainability strategies, particularly for financial institutions aiming to achieve ESG goals. – Karan Jain, NayaOne
17. Look at new technology investments through a sustainability lens
Sustainability has expanded to include not only environmental goals, but also larger goals related to business continuity and longevity. Reexamine what fits this new definition and apply this focus to your technology investments, maintaining the integrity of the critical challenges associated with optimizing your supply chain, retaining and recruiting talent, and enhancing employee productivity and impact. – Ed Jennings, Quickbase
