New study reveals IT's pivotal role in sustainability, but challenges like lack of tools & expertise remain. (Getty Images)
A new study, sponsored by OpenText and released yesterday, reveals that IT departments are playing a significant role in advancing corporate sustainability goals. However, the report also highlights that a lack of innovative tools and expertise is hindering their ability to achieve these objectives.
The 2023 State of IT Sustainability Report, conducted by Dimensional Research, indicates that while 97% of companies have either adopted or plan to adopt sustainability initiatives, only 42% of those surveyed have actually begun implementing measures towards environmental responsibility.
Muhi Majzoub, the chief product officer at OpenText, commented, "The sustainability movement is still in its early stages, with IT often leading the charge. However, the report shows that companies are genuinely committed to making sustainability a top operational priority."
He added, "Sustainability is no longer just a trendy social cause. There are tangible business benefits driving its adoption, including efficiency gains, cost savings, and regulatory compliance. It's a 'win-win' scenario for all involved, and it's now a key factor in decision-making processes at most companies."
Implementing IT sustainability measures can bring several benefits to enterprise organizations, such as cost savings, resource efficiency, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance. However, the report also highlights less obvious benefits, such as innovation in product design, process efficiency, and technology adoption, which could lead to new revenue streams or market opportunities.
Despite the numerous business benefits of IT sustainability, the study identified several challenges. For instance, only 51% of respondents reported using software to track their IT carbon footprint, with Europe leading North America in the adoption of such tracking tools. Additionally, 46% of respondents cited a lack of expertise as a significant challenge, highlighting the need for education and skills development in sustainable IT practices.
The survey results revealed that IT departments are leading the way in adopting green initiatives, followed by logistics, facilities, manufacturing, and warehousing. The authors of the report suggest that this leadership position may be due to IT's flexibility to pivot, such as to the cloud, new vendors, optimal resources, or cloud cost control with FinOps, which supports green IT without significant financial investment.
The report concludes that going green is not just a theoretical concept anymore but has become a central initiative for organizations. It notes that business benefits, like improved brand image, cost savings, and higher ESG scores, are driving IT's sustainability efforts. Additionally, regulatory and governmental influences are increasingly playing a role in driving IT sustainability initiatives, suggesting that these factors will become more important in the future.
In summary, the report underscores the growing importance of sustainability in business operations and the crucial role that IT departments play in achieving these goals. However, it also highlights the need for innovative tools and expertise to overcome the challenges associated with sustainability initiatives.
