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Only 21 % global enterprises using technology to reduce environmental footprint finds Kyndryl and Microsoft
K yndryl released the second Global Sustainability Barometer study , commissioned by Microsoft . The study , conducted by Ecosystm , shows that while 84 % of organisations place a high strategic importance on achieving sustainability goals , only 21 % use technology to reduce their environmental footprint and shape their overall sustainability strategy .
Since last year , 38 % of organisations have increased their sustainability goals and programme execution – demonstrating progress as the world works toward a green future . By integrating sustainability into a company ’ s business strategy , processes and systems , organisations can maximise the value of their people and technology to achieve internal goals and deliver positive impact .
“ As the world faces increasing climaterelated challenges , businesses are under pressure to act decisively and place sustainability at the forefront – and this year ’ s Global Sustainability Barometer study highlights that organisations must move from intent to collective action to drive change ,” said Faith Taylor , Chief Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability Officer at Kyndryl .
“ Sustainability is at the heart of the Middle East ’ s vision for the future , with nations like the UAE and Saudi Arabia driving transformative initiatives to create a balance between economic growth and environmental responsibility ,” said Pieter Bil ,
Senior Vice President and Managing Director at Kyndryl Middle East and Africa .
The study shows that leaders are increasingly recognising the benefits of sustainability initiatives for their organisations , with specific areas where improvements can be made . By embedding technology into sustainability strategies , organisations can turn abstract goals into actionable , data-driven plans .
The study highlights the following areas of opportunity :
• Only 21 % of organisations globally recognise technology ’ s dual role in reducing their company ’ s carbon footprints and advancing broader sustainability goals .
• While 54 % of businesses say sustainability goals and initiatives are incorporated into existing reporting processes , only 19 % fully use data for strategic planning and decision-making .
• 55 % believe Artificial Intelligence , AI will significantly impact their sustainability goals , but 62 % of organisations limit initiatives to analysing historical data for monitoring and reporting .
Matthew Sekol , a Sustainability Global Black Belt at Microsoft , added , “ Companies can gain the insights needed to deliver on their commitments and drive resilience by integrating sustainability data with operational and financial data , and using traditional data analytics and robust AI tooling to reshape operational efficiencies and foster sustainable innovations .”
The study ’ s detailed analysis and deep insights can enable organisations to enhance their sustainability efforts .
While the benefit of AI for sustainability is gaining traction , AI ’ s environmental impact is a growing concern . Only 35 % of organisations are considering the energy implications of their AI solutions . Kyndryl and Microsoft provide actionable strategies for organisations to measure infrastructure baseline emissions and optimise AI architectures , including AI and machine learning models to minimise energy use and reduce waste .
The two companies work closely with organisations to ensure that technological advancements contribute positively to sustainability goals without compromising innovation .
The second edition of the Global Sustainability Barometer study , conducted by Ecosystm and commissioned by Kyndryl and Microsoft , reflects the perspectives of 1,355 global sustainability leaders spanning 20 countries and 9 Pieter Bil industry groups . •
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