Sustainable IT: how tech can harness ESG principles to build a greener future

Sustainability, reducing emissions, saving costs, and investing in tech are all high on most company’s agendas, and while technology can help reduce emissions, it also has its own consequences. Here’s how by using environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) principles, businesses can make better use of their technology and help build a greener future.

5 mins read
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about 2 years ago

​While technology plays a positive role in helping businesses cut emissions and reduce their energy consumption, it also has unintended negative impacts.

For example, a positive outcome of the growing use of cloud technology is that data centre energy consumption is reduced, but then the negative consequence is the vast infrastructures of the public cloud service providers that also need to be powered, as well as the private and hybrid clouds operated by businesses.

A recent report by global tech company Capgemini revealed IT accounts for around 3% of global CO2 emissions. However, the report is optimistic the tech sector has the potential to cut 9.7 times as much carbon emissions as it emits by 2030, but this will only be achieved by businesses prioritising sustainable technology. And in today’s digital age, with more and more organisations investing in digital transformation, it’s vital companies consider the negative impact IT is having and look at ways to use tech more sustainably.

What is sustainable IT?

Sustainable tech, or green tech, refers to the efforts made to positively contribute to the environment through the design and production, use, and disposal of technology. It also encompasses the activities used to develop hardware, such as responsible mining of finite rare minerals, and water conservation. The purpose of sustainable tech is to protect the environment and conserve the earth’s natural resources for future generations.

There are myriad benefits to investing in sustainable tech. Firstly, and most importantly, it will reduce your emissions and limit your impact on the environment, but the Capgemini Research Institute’s survey of 1,000 organisations worldwide found those who implemented sustainable IT practices also saw greater ESG scores, improved brand image, better customer satisfaction, and financial savings.

Harnessing ESG principles to make tech greener

As the world is relying more heavily on technology, green tech should be included in your company’s ESG strategy and be a top priority. Here is how ESG principles relate to sustainable tech:

Environmental

Businesses have been heavily focussed on improving their environmental impact over the past few years. And while the use of the technology can help reduce environmental impact (such as remote and hybrid working cutting down on car emissions and reducing energy consumption in offices) there are other considerations businesses need to be aware of when it comes to the negative environmental impact of technology.

The definition of sustainability according to the United Nations is: “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” But the minerals that are mined to create tech devices are finite and are already leading to deforestation and water pollution. If humans continue to deplete the earth’s natural resources at this rate, then it is not sustainable for future generations.

In addition, global e-waste is forecasted to grow to over 74 million metric tons by 2030. Tech devices use substances like mercury, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and brominated flame retardants (BFRs), all of which can create a toxic environment when disposed of at landfills.

All of these need to be considered when purchasing tech equipment if you want to meet the environmental aspect of your ESG strategy.

Social

The social aspect of ESG refers to how companies foster people and culture, approach diversity and inclusion, and their impact on the community.

When it comes to technology, the community aspect is a great place to start. Donating old or unused technology is one way to make your IT more sustainable. Whether you are donating this to schools, other businesses, or community centres, recycling devices can limit landfill waste and help those in your area.

Corporate governance

Before implementing a sustainable tech initiative, it’s vital you have an effective governance process that can support the strategy.

All stakeholders need to be on board with the strategy, and effective governance should be applied to ensure objectives are met, and the business is running in such a way that will support the initiatives. This includes business leaders making ethical decisions about the company’s sustainability practices, being held accountable, and the way in which they communicate and engage with the wider business about their sustainability goals.

Ways to make your tech more sustainable

Prior to launching or renewing a sustainable IT initiative, you first need to evaluate what you have in place in terms of IT infrastructure and determine where improvements can be made.

However, if you are unsure where to start, here are some ways you could make your tech more sustainable:

  • Work alongside procurement teams to reduce embedded carbon in devices and purchase equipment made from recycled materials

  • Minimise your e-waste by improving disposal of tech equipment

  • Consider hybrid working where possible to reduce energy consumption of large office buildings and make sure employees have the software and tools to effectively collaborate virtually

  • Consider migrating applications and data to a greener public cloud

  • Extend products’ shelf life by fixing and repairing instead of just buying new

  • Invest in ESG management software that collects data and enables you to track, manage, and report on areas such as energy consumption, water usage, waste generation, greenhouse gas emissions, workplace safely and compliance metrics

  • Improve efficiency of devices to reduce energy consumption and prolong devices’ battery life by reducing exposure to high temperatures, keeping it at 100% charge for long periods, and avoiding fast charging unless urgently needed

  • Run cloud cost optimisations to reduce waste clutters in cloud usage

Ultimately, technology has the capacity to improve the environment and reduce carbon emissions, but there are still consequences. In order to be a truly sustainable organisation, you need to consider the impact your tech is having and find ways to make it more sustainable as we all work together to build a greener future.

Looking to recruit the next great tech professional for your team? Get in touch with us today.

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Pros and cons of universal basic income: solution to unemployment or too expensive?
5 mins read

Pros and cons of universal basic income: solution to unemployment or too expensive?

​​​What is universal basic income?

Universal basic income (UBI) is a system in which every adult receives a set amount of money on a regular basis. This payment is unconditional, meaning it does not depend on the recipient's income, employment status, or any other criterion.

Universal– to everyone

Basic– to cover everyday expenses

Income– regularly, for people to spend how they wish.

UBI has been an interesting and controversial topic of conversation over the past few years, with various trials and studies conducted to evaluate its potential impact. While we may be a long way off from this being considered in reality, let’s look at some of the pros and cons of introducing this concept.

Pros of universal basic income

Reduce poverty

One of the main arguments in favour of UBI is its potential to reduce poverty and economic inequality. A 2022 study by the University of York found that a UBI model could cut poverty by more than half. This would be achieved through tax adjustments and guaranteed weekly payments, providing a stable income for everyone. This stability could lead to a more robust economy, increased consumer spending, more job opportunities, and a healthier market overall.

Increased consumer spending

With more disposable income, people would likely spend more, stimulating demand for goods and services and benefiting businesses across various sectors. This increased spending could also lead to higher tax revenues, which could be reinvested into public services and infrastructure.

Empowering workers

UBI would offer a safety net, reducing the pressure on individuals to accept low-paying or precarious jobs. This could lead to higher job satisfaction and productivity, as people would be more likely to pursue jobs that align with their interests.

Improve workplace conditions

It would also encourage businesses to enhance their working conditions by shifting the power dynamic to the employees. With a guaranteed income, workers would no longer be compelled to stay in jobs solely for financial reasons, allowing them the freedom to leave roles with poor working conditions.

This shift in bargaining power would encourage employers to enhance job quality, offer higher wages, and create more supportive work environments to attract and retain employees. Consequently, businesses might need to implement more employee-focused policies, such as flexible working, improved benefits, and a stronger emphasis on work-life balance, to stay competitive in the labour market.

Innovation and entrepreneurship

Many people hesitate to start their own businesses due to fear of failure and financial risks. However, UBI could provide the financial stability needed to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, potentially resulting in economic growth for the country. This could lead to the creation of new industries and job opportunities, further boosting the economy.

Foster education and societal benefits

Having a steady income would encourage more individuals to pursue further education and training, culminating in a more educated and skilled population. This increase in educational attainment can have numerous positive effects on society, including:

Higher civic engagement: an educated population is more likely to participate in civic activities such as voting, volunteering, and community involvement, fostering a stronger democratic process and community cohesion.

Enhanced critical thinking and creativity: education cultivates critical thinking and creativity, which are essential for technological innovation and economic growth.

Reduction in poverty and inequality: education is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty. By providing individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to secure better-paying jobs, UBI can help reduce income inequality and improve overall economic stability.

Improved public health: educated individuals are more likely to make informed health choices, meaning lower rates of chronic diseases and improved overall public health.

Cons of universal basic income

High cost

Implementing UBI would be extremely expensive, requiring significant tax increases and reallocation of public spending. While it's challenging to estimate the exact cost, one analysis projected a gross cost of 555 billion – which includes the UBI payments themselves as well as the cost of integrating it into the existing tax and benefits system. Therefore, many critics argue that for this reason, UBI is not sustainable or even feasible.

Decreased motivation to work

Critics argue that UBI could reduce people's incentives to work, prompting higher unemployment rates. They fear that with a guaranteed income, people might choose to work fewer hours or not at all. If this were the case, higher unemployment rates could negatively impact economic growth due to less taxable income.

Those who do continue working while receiving UBI might be less motivated to perform at their best. With their basic financial needs met by UBI, the urgency to excel and advance in their careers could diminish and we could see reduced effort and productivity.

Challenges for low-wage industries

Industries relying on low-wage labour might face increased wage demands, as workers with a financial safety net might be less willing to accept low-paying jobs. This could cause higher operational costs and potentially drive businesses to automate more processes.

Inflation

Increased disposable income could generate higher spending, driving up demand and prices, resulting in inflation. This could erode the purchasing power of the UBI payments, potentially negating some of the benefits.

Potential inequality

While UBI aims to reduce poverty and inequality, some argue that providing the same payment to everyone wouldn't solve inequality but merely shift the goalposts. Critics suggest that a more targeted approach might be necessary to address the specific needs of different groups within society.

The debate around UBI is far from settled, and its implementation would require careful consideration and robust policy design. As we move forward, it's important to engage in thoughtful discussions, consider diverse perspectives, and explore pilot programmes to better understand UBI's real-world impacts.

Ultimately, the question remains: can UBI be the transformative solution we need to fix the unstable labour market, or will it prove too costly and complex?

If you are looking for a talented professional to join your team, or seeking a new employment opportunity yourself, get in touch with a specialist consultant today.

How to fight economic inactivity
1 mins read

How to fight economic inactivity

​It was recently my turn to pick up the pen and contribute to City AM’s ‘The Note Book’.

I chose to write about the issue of economic inactivity and to focus on ways to encourage younger people into the workforce and ways to incentivise older workers to work for longer.

My thinking is that this will encourage the highly paid and highly skilled to work up until retirement age rather than choosing, as many do, to retire early.

And my estimation is that this would result in more, not less, tax being collected and collected sooner because these individuals are frequently higher rate taxpayers who will typically find ways to avoid inheritance tax in the extra spare time they have after they’ve taken early retirement.

Instead, these highly capable higher rate tax payers will be incentivised to continue to contribute to the growth of their organisations and the wider economy and consequently to the exchequer as well.

One for the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) to grapple with perhaps… but I’ve no idea how you’d model such an idea. Sometimes it’s just better to give things a go!

And if you do get a chance to see the play ‘A View from The Bridge’, you should go. It’s a precious thing - a brilliant play, brilliantly acted!

Click here to read the article.

Sales CV template: for Sales Executives and other sales professionals
2 mins read

Sales CV template: for Sales Executives and other sales professionals

​​Whether you are a sales executive, supplier relationship manager or field sales consultant, use our free template to build your perfect sales CV today.

[Full Name]
[Home address]
[Contact Number] • [Email Address]

Personal Statement

Use this section of your CV to highlight the skills that would be transferable in a sales environment e.g. questioning and listening, tenacity, resilience and the ability to think on your feet. It’s also a good idea to include a link to your LinkedIn profile.

Sales professionals are target driven and financially motivated, so don't forget to highlight and "sell" yourself.

Try to avoid statements such as "I work well as part of a team and on my own initiative" or "I can communicate at all levels" - the majority of CVs contain these statements. CVs that show creativity stand out in sales.

Education

A relevant degree, for example Business Studies will give you a great start, but many degrees have a sales element, e.g. Psychology - understanding people, Engineering - problem solving, Law - negotiation skills etc.

It is important to present your education in a way that identifies you as a sales person.

In some sales positions experience trumps education, so if you don’t have a glittering academic record, make sure you elaborate on your experience.

[College/School Name]
[Date M/Y– Date M/Y]

A-levels:

  • [Subject] – [Grade]

  • [Subject] – [Grade]

  • [Subject] – [Grade]

GCSEs:

  • [Number] GCSEs, grades [range], including Maths and English

Work Experience

This should be brief and, as a general rule of thumb, focus on the last five years of your career, or last three roles, in chronological order with the most recent at the top. Highlight your key achievements, and aim to use bullet points rather than lengthy descriptions.

[Job Title], [Company Name] [Location]
[Date M/Y- Date M/Y]

Achievements and responsibilities:

  • Brief role overview

  • Worked alongside [team] to produce [project]

  • Implemented [change] which resulted in [benefit]

  • Received an [award name] for [reason]

Hobbies and Interests

This section is not essential, but can be a good opportunity to reinforce your application, and show a future employer what motivates you outside of work.

Don’t just say that you ‘like to socialise’ be specific, and don’t be afraid to share your successes. If you can put a sales slant on this part of your CV too, even better.

I’ve completed a marathon for [charity]

I negotiated my away across [country] on a budget, working as I went

References

References are available upon request.

Download our full sales CV template.