Climate Change
Anyone paying even the slightest attention to current events knows that climate change-related issues have finally started to impact political decisions in the United States.
Anyone paying even the slightest attention to current events knows that climate change-related issues have finally started to impact political decisions in the United States.
Anyone paying even the slightest attention to current events knows that climate change-related issues have finally started to impact political decisions in the United States. An example of this is the Inflation Reduction Act passed by the U.S. Congress that dedicates more than $400 billion over the next decade to cut carbon emissions.
While that bill is a landmark, private businesses and the non-profit sector have outpaced government on this issue, for the most part, including in the area of sustainable technology. That’s good news for those who understand that the real driver behind sustainability-related innovations are not decisions made on Capitol Hill but rather in boardrooms across the country.
One of the key efforts among these organizations has been the focus on creation and use of sustainable technology. That includes industries that may come as a surprise. For example, a recent survey from EY Global found that 80% of chemical companies currently place as much emphasis on sustainability as they do revenue growth.
Tellingly, 56% also have accelerated digitization in this area.
Sustainable technology refers to innovations in software systems, connected devices and other digital tools that take into consideration natural resources as well as supporting economic and social development. The technologies focus on reducing the environmental impact of business operations while also seeking to create more sustainable products.
It’s considered one of the most important – perhaps the most important – part of any modern business operation. The reasons why are apparent. The U.S Geological Survey keeps an alarmingly long and growing list of climate change-related issues. They include temperature increases worldwide, longer and more extreme droughts, tropical storms becoming more powerful due to warmer water in the world’s oceans and seas, and faster rate of glacier melting.
“Sustainability is at the forefront of thinking across many sectors,” Dr. Frank Jenner, EY Global Chemicals & Advanced Materials Industry Leader, said in a release about the new study. He added: “Digitization is going to be central to this sustainability effort, helping businesses to meet their ESG targets, while continuing to meet the needs of customers who are more sustainability conscious than ever.”
Sustainable Technology is a key for successful efforts to combat climate change. Through the use of innovative software systems, companies can contribute to efforts that minimize climate change, stay compliant with government regulations and also create a reputation in the marketplace as a company that looks beyond just the bottom line.
Those are all important goals in the 21st century. Rubicon points out that businesses that embrace sustainable technology reduce the risk by lowering the impact on climate change, improving the bottom line and also attracting top talent who want to work at an organization that is trying to make a difference.
Sustainable technology falls into three main areas, according to Rubicon, a tech company that focuses on the solid waste and recycling industry.
The most famous examples include plastics recycling, electric cars, solar power and LED lights. Others included carbon capture and storage technologies, green buildings and construction methods, cheap energy storage and hydro dams.
Almost every Fortune 500 company has a sustainability program. Some companies have excelled in this area. For example, industry analyst firm Everest Group recently gave Accenture high marks in sustainable technology as well as sustainable value chain, ESG measurements, and sustainable leadership and organization.
Greenpeace has named the top green companies, including Apple, Dell, Hewlett Packard, and Microsoft. For governments, an infrastructure that focuses on clean energy-driven public transportation is an example of sustainable technology.
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