Sustainability in the New Digital Workplace

Sustainable IT practices are no longer just a good idea, they have become a necessity in today’s digital workplace. More than 80 percent of leaders now prioritize environmental sustainability, driven shifting employee expectations and corporate responsibility. Cloud providers, executives, software engineers, IT teams, and even corporate boards are all looking to adopt green practices in order to meet environmental, social, and governance standards and ensure a better future for the next generation.

In addition to meeting these standards, there are also business incentives for companies to go green. A survey CloudBolt found that two-thirds of IT leaders consider a cloud provider’s sustainability initiatives when making business decisions. Adopting sustainable practices can enhance corporate reputation and appeal to environmentally conscious customers. These practices, such as energy optimization, can also lead to significant cost reductions.

Integrating Sustainable IT into the digital employee experience is a crucial element of the transition to a more sustainable workplace. CIOs driving digital transformation and innovation are expected to align IT efforts with broader business sustainability goals. With increasing regulations and standards, such as the European Green Deal and international Greenhouse Gas protocols, corporations now have new compliance reporting requirements and pressure to reduce their carbon footprint.

However, achieving sustainability goals can be challenging. For example, the post-pandemic return to the office has led companies to evaluate the lifespan of laptops to align with sustainability and cost-saving objectives. Managing user performance expectations while extending the lifespan of devices can be a balancing act.

Additionally, the rise of hybrid work models and highly distributed IT networks has made it difficult to collect accurate data and measure sustainability metrics like energy consumption. Tracking energy usage across diverse, remote locations is more complex than tracking in-house operations. Nevertheless, IT teams must be able to monitor and measure the performance of sustainability initiatives to make informed decisions and drive continuous improvement.

Driving sustainability in IT requires a comprehensive Digital Employee Experience (DEX) platform, executive-level sponsorship, and a phased approach with cross-functional ownership. Stakeholders across the organization, including IT ops directors, sustainability officers, compliance officers, and risk managers, all play a role in promoting and integrating sustainable practices.

Selecting the right DEX platform is crucial for sustainable IT efforts. A comprehensive DEX solution can capture and analyze granular end-user performance data from all applications and devices, providing accurate insights for decision-making. It can also centralize environmental metrics like carbon emissions and electricity consumption, enabling IT teams to identify energy-saving opportunities, cut costs, fulfill reporting requirements, and promote behavioral changes.

DEX platforms with AI-driven automation capabilities can further streamline sustainable practices and operational efficiency. Automation can optimize power settings, inform users about their energy consumption, and reduce resource consumption and human intervention.

In conclusion, prioritizing IT sustainability is imperative in today’s world. It not only benefits the environment but also enhances corporate performance and meets the expectations of employees and customers who value environmental responsibility.

Sources:
– CloudBolt survey
– European Green Deal
– Greenhouse Gas protocols