Data and AI are becoming powerful catalysts to drive action and predict future risks
NEW YORK , Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Kyndryl (NYSE: KD), the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, announced its second Global Sustainability Barometer study commissioned by Microsoft. The study, conducted by Ecosystm, found that while 84% of organizations place a strategic focus on achieving sustainability goals, they are turning to technology to reduce their environmental footprint and shape their overall sustainability strategy. We found that only 21% use it.
Since last year, 38% of organizations have increased their sustainability goals and program implementation, demonstrating progress as the world works towards a green future.
“As the world faces increasing climate-related challenges, businesses are under pressure to act decisively and put sustainability at the forefront. And this year’s Global Sustainability Barometer study shows that organizations It highlights the need to move from intention to collective action to drive change,” said Faith Taylor. , Chief Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability Officer at Kyndryl. “By integrating sustainability into a company’s business strategy, processes, and systems, organizations can maximize the value of their people and technology, achieve internal goals, and drive positive impact.”
This research shows that leaders are increasingly recognizing the benefits of sustainability initiatives for their organizations, and there are specific areas where they can improve. By incorporating technology into sustainability strategies, organizations can turn abstract goals into actionable, data-driven plans.
The study highlights the following opportunity areas:
Only 21% of organizations worldwide recognize the dual role of technology in reducing a company’s carbon footprint and driving broader sustainability goals. Although 54% of companies say their sustainability goals and initiatives are integrated into their existing reporting processes, only 19% fully leverage data for strategic planning and decision-making. Although 55% believe artificial intelligence (AI) will have a significant impact on sustainability goals, 62% of organizations limit their efforts to analyzing historical data for monitoring and reporting.
“By integrating sustainability data with operational and financial data and using traditional data analytics and robust AI tools to reimagine operations, companies can deliver on their promises,” said Matthew Seacol, Global Black Belt for Sustainability at Microsoft. Gain the insights you need to achieve goals and drive resilience.” Increase efficiency and foster sustainable innovation. ”
Take action to advance your sustainability strategy
The study’s detailed analysis and deep insights can help organizations strengthen their sustainability efforts. To reach your organization’s full potential, consider these basic principles:
Technology must be at the core of your strategic plan. 38% are using IT to reduce their company’s environmental impact, and 17% say data and technology are helping them achieve their sustainability goals. Next year, companies should consider integrating technology into their sustainability strategies to turn abstract goals into actionable plans. Reconsidering the role of AI. 62% of organizations use AI to monitor energy use and emissions, but only 37% use predictive AI to predict energy demand based on current trends and patterns . Integrating AI-powered scenario planning and climate risk mitigation enables organizations to take a holistic approach to environmental responsibility, making them better prepared for future challenges. Leverage data to proactively transform your business. Disparate data across different enterprise planning systems is seen as a clear challenge, as only 15% use data to guide business transformation. By effectively integrating disparate data, organizations gain a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of their environmental impacts, leading to informed sustainability decisions. Foster a culture of collective responsibility. CEOs continue to set sustainability goals, with 49% of organizations considering the chief sustainability officer and sustainability team as key stakeholders (vs. 27% in 2023). The next step is for organizations to fully align cross-functional teams, particularly finance and technology, to ensure sustainability is a core business priority and is being implemented.
While the benefits of AI for sustainability are gaining traction, there is also growing concern about its impact on the environment. Only 35% of organizations consider the energy impact of their AI solutions. Kyndryl and Microsoft provide practical strategies for organizations to measure their infrastructure’s baseline emissions and optimize their AI architectures, including AI and machine learning models, to minimize energy use and reduce waste. Provide. Both companies work closely with organizations to ensure that technological advances contribute positively to sustainability goals without compromising innovation.
“As organizations increasingly recognize sustainability as a strategic imperative, we are witnessing a surge in innovation and collaboration. AI is at the forefront of this movement, helping companies optimize resource consumption and reduce waste.” ”, says Ulrich Loeffler. , CEO and Co-Founder of Ecosystm. “By combining our efforts and leveraging technology, we can build a more sustainable and equitable future for future generations.”
About research
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 across 20 countries and nine industry groups. The study, conducted between August and September 2024, aims to bridge the gap between sustainability and technology by exploring the role of strategy, data and AI in achieving sustainability goals .
Learn more about the study “From Insight to Action: The Impact of Technology on Sustainability.”
About Kindril
Kyndryl (NYSE: KD) is the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, serving thousands of business customers in more than 60 countries. The company designs, builds, manages and modernizes the complex, mission-critical information systems the world relies on every day. For more information, please visit www.kyndryl.com.
Kyndryl Press Contact
(email protected)
Source Kindril
Want your company’s news featured on PRNEWSWIRE.COM?
Over 440,000
newsroom and
influencer
9k+
digital media
outlet
Over 270,000
journalist
opt-in
