Tech executive climate change views

If your business isn’t prepared to disrupt itself for our planet, the planet will disrupt your business. At a UNGA Goals House panel, industry leaders didn’t mince words. They laid out bold, transformative strategies for businesses that want to survive and thrive in the era of climate action. Sharing key takeaways herein: 1. A unified approach to financial and non-financial data: This aims to normalize carbon accounting, making it as central to decision-making as revenue or costs. Imagine if every business prioritized emissions and nature/biodiversity data the way they prioritize profit. 2. Big Tech as Energy Producers: Major tech companies are some of the world’s largest energy consumers, especially with the growth of AI and quantum computing. But what if they became leaders in the renewable energy transition? With their purchasing power, these tech giants have the potential to not just consume clean energy but to drive investment in it. This could be a tipping point for clean energy on a global scale. 3. Embedding Sustainability in Culture + Incentives: Some organizations are making it clear—sustainability must be woven into the fabric of an entire company; it’s about aligning incentives, from leadership to frontline employees, with emissions reduction and climate goals. When sustainability is tied to performance and compensation, it moves from a “nice to have” to a business-critical priority. 4. Transforming (Not Just Improving) Supply Chains: One company highlighted the need to stop thinking about incremental improvements and start reimagining supply chains entirely. True climate action might mean disrupting long-standing relationships or processes, but it’s this willingness to drive systemic transformation that’s necessary for real progress. 5. Regulation vs. Transformation: Regulations are powerful, but transformation plays an essential role in creating long term value. The insight shared was balancing the power of markets and transformation with the need for regulatory frameworks to drive widespread adoption. This was notably one of the most provocative debates in the room. 6. Tackling the “Too Big to Solve” Mindset: It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of climate challenges, but the panelists were optimistic. Their message? Even the biggest sustainability problems can be solved with ambition, innovation, and collaboration. From decarbonizing heavy industry to reshaping supply chains, the key is to break these challenges into actionable steps and leverage the power of digital technologies to make progress. Businesses need to think bigger, act faster, and integrate sustainability at every level. How is your organization addressing these challenges? Let’s connect and share strategies on how we can drive meaningful, systemic change together. #Sustainability #SupplyChain #Innovation

Most executives now view sustainability as a revenue enabler 🌎 In the face of rising inflation, geopolitical uncertainty, and a looming global recession, sustainability efforts could be expected to slow down. However, businesses are showing the opposite trend — doubling down on sustainability as a core part of their strategy. The perception of sustainability is shifting from a compliance-driven cost to a long-term revenue enabler. This shift is driven by a growing realization that sustainability delivers more than risk mitigation. Companies are finding opportunities to enhance profitability, improve operational efficiency, and foster innovation. Beyond managing risks like regulatory compliance or supply chain disruptions, businesses now recognize sustainability’s potential to unlock new markets, strengthen customer loyalty, and drive competitive advantage. Notably, this mindset shift is happening at the executive level. A recent survey found that 72% of executives consider sustainability a revenue enabler rather than a cost center. This highlights a critical change — businesses no longer view sustainability as an expense, but as a key driver of growth and value creation. These insights come from an IBM survey of 2,500 executives across 22 industries, which explored how companies approach ESG strategies and what outcomes they expect. While compliance remains important, more organizations are embracing sustainability as a pathway to innovation and profitability, making it central to their long-term business objectives. #sustainability #sustainable #business #esg #climatechange

Reducing tech's environmental footprint through sustainable IT 💚 Nothing less!! Did you know technology currently has the same emissions as the global aviation industry? That’s 1-2 % of total global carbon emissions! That's one of the key insights I learned recently!! I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Niklas Sundberg, SVP and CIO at ASSA ABLOY Group Global Solutions, about driving sustainable practices in the technology sector. With his extensive experience and new book "Sustainable IT Playbook for Technology Leaders," Niklas offers invaluable strategic insights for any tech leader aiming to implement greener policies. In our podcast, Niklas stresses why #sustainability matters for IT, from mitigating climate change to unlocking new business opportunities. He outlines common roadblocks, like budget constraints, but also provides concrete solutions to overcome these hurdles. His book summarizes a comprehensive playbook covering IT operations, supply chain management, and organizational culture. For me, the conversation drove home that sustainability needs to become integral to how tech companies operate. With our massive energy consumption and e-waste output, we have both the responsibility and ability to make substantial change. Niklas shows this transformation is possible with holistic commitment and the right approach. I'm inspired by the potential for tech to drive broader environmental progress. With strategic leaders like Niklas guiding the way, our sector can leapfrog to more sustainable solutions - in emerging markets and beyond. Let's keep this conversation going and work together to reduce tech's footprint! I encourage anyone interested in green IT to have a listen and check out Niklas' book. What steps is your organization taking on the sustainability journey? I welcome your thoughts and recommendations! #sustainabilitymatters #

🌍🏢 I recently read an important Financial Times article about tech giants' influence on carbon accounting rules. It's worth your time. The outcome of this debate could significantly impact how companies report and offset emissions, potentially affecting our progress towards global climate targets. Here's why it matters: 1️⃣ Current carbon accounting rules allow tech giants like Amazon and Meta to offset their real-world emissions by investing in clean power schemes. This creates significant discrepancies between reported and actual emissions. For example, Meta claims "net zero" emissions in its energy usage, but its real-world CO₂ emissions from power consumption were 3.9 million tonnes in 2022. 2️⃣ The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol), which sets carbon accounting standards, is undergoing its first major review in nearly a decade. Tech giants are split on how to reform these rules: • Google proposes a "24/7" localized approach, matching energy consumption with clean energy certificates from the same grids and time of use. • Amazon, Meta, and others advocate for more flexible rules, allowing certificates from any geographical origin and suggesting a system based on estimating CO2 avoided. 3️⃣ Critics argue that the Amazon-backed proposal could lead to “emissions gaming” and allow companies to hide their true emissions. This debate highlights the tension between companies' claims of being green leaders and their actual environmental impact, especially as their energy consumption is set to increase significantly with #AI and data centre expansion. 4️⃣ The stakes are high for tech companies. They are already major buyers of renewable energy certificates and are investing billions in renewable power projects. However, their emissions are still rising due to rapid expansion, threatening the viability of their net-zero targets. 5️⃣ There are important concerns about the influence of tech companies on the rule-making process. They have funded the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and related research, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest in shaping environmental policies. The final rules aren't expected until 2026, but this debate underscores the critical importance of accurate carbon accounting in addressing climate change. What are your thoughts on tech's role in shaping these crucial environmental policies? #ClimateAction #CorporateResponsibility #TechForGood #Sustainability