Companies used to be able to say they cared about the environment just by getting rid of paper from their buildings. Business policies and procedures often require changes that significantly impact sustainability. This usually means using new technologies that make processes run more smoothly.
While executives would benefit from hiring sustainability experts who are knowledgeable about business strategy and technology, business leaders could start to make changes that are successful by implementing some of the technologies used in sustainability programs. Most of the time, the best tech for sustainable projects is also the tech that is most likely to provide an organization with digital maturity, allowing a company to run with greater efficiency and effectiveness in a market that is likely to become more dependent on digital tech in the future.
That tech includes:
Cloud Computing
As of 2022, more than half of all businesses have moved tasks to the cloud. Small businesses are much less likely to fully utilize cloud computing, which means that small business leaders can make a significant contribution to better efficiency and sustainability by moving some of their data and processes there. The same Microsoft-WSP study found that cloud servers tend to be more than 98% more carbon efficient than local servers. This means that cloud services can make computing up to 93% more energy efficient. Cloud computing gives workers more choice over time and place, which can boost morale and loyalty. Given that the cloud is a fairly established technology, executives can be sure that adding it to their sustainability program will be beneficial.
Big Data
Big data is a term that describes the collection and study of large volumes of varied, high-velocity data. It emerged around the same time as cloud computing but has been accepted by much fewer businesses. Any business goal can be pursued with the help of big data, which can provide business leaders with a lot of useful information to help them make decisions. Big data analytics have been available to executives for some time, just like cloud computing, but in 2022, only about a quarter of businesses actually use them well. The sooner business leaders learn to use big data technologies and methods, the better. Big data could be crucial in assisting business leaders in creating the best sustainability program for their organization.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the technology that business leaders who care about sustainability are investing in the most, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. AI is still young, but it has shown promise in improving organizational processes and eliminating waste. As AI keeps getting better, it’s possible that someday it will be able to give business leaders amazing insights that will help them move sustainability projects forward.
IoT Devices
A network of items known as the Internet of Things (IoT) can gather data, carry out tasks, and speak to people. The Industrial IoT has the potential to provide much more insight and control over organizational processes, which means that business leaders have more power to put in place effective sustainable practices. In the past, many business leaders didn’t invest in IoT because they were worried about its security. However, as security measures have improved and businesses are increasingly embracing new technologies, they are increasing their investment in IoT.
Blockchain
Blockchain is a type of digital ledger that stores information in fixed blocks across the network on every user’s device. It is one of the newest technologies to show potential in business sustainability efforts. Some companies plan to use blockchain tools to make sure they report things correctly when it comes to environmental, social, and governance standards, even though cryptocurrency, which is the most famous use of blockchain, is clearly not sustainable because it requires a huge amount of energy to make. Large corporations have already implemented blockchain systems to monitor their supply chains, indicating that this technology holds potential for a sustainable business future.
Good online classes can teach business leaders a lot of what they need to know about technology for sustainability strategies. If executives learn how to use the above technologies, they can maintain sustainable business practices.
