Nowadays, Chief Information Officers (CIOs) can play a crucial role in companies’ ecological transition by implementing various actions. It’s essential to highlight their significant impact, which can account for up to 40% of the total carbon footprint, especially in businesses such as consulting firms and banks. These organizations use a multitude of computers, printers, cloud services and servers, all of which contribute substantially to their environmental footprint. In this context, CIOs can play a significant role in reducing this footprint by adopting more sustainable technological practices, thereby promoting the transition to a more environmentally friendly business model.
In this article, we take a look at the different approaches CIOs can take to address green issues. It highlights the ways in which they can contribute to the green transition, while underlining the importance of their training to equip them with the skills essential to this transformation. In addition, special attention will be paid to SAP’s commitment to developing solutions dedicated to the ecological transition, illustrating their move towards greater sustainability.
How can CIOs address these ecological challenges?
CIOs have various approaches to tackle ecological challenges within companies. First and foremost, effective management is crucial, involving the establishment of new metrics to assess the environmental impact of projects and the company as a whole.
Another crucial approach is to implement innovative technological solutions and architectures that address energy efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Additionally, collaboration between the IT department and business units is particularly important, especially when launching new projects or designing innovative services, to integrate ecological considerations from the early stages.
At the same time, raising awareness among employees about good environmental practices related to digital technology is essential. Regular assessment of IT suppliers also ensures that environmental criteria are taken into account throughout the supply chain.
Another aspect to mention is the option of using refurbished equipment as a sustainable alternative. It is advisable to follow ANSSI guidelines, which require a data erasure certificate according to NIST SP800-88 standards at the time of purchase, and to apply uniform security policies across all refurbished equipment to ensure the protection of sensitive data.
What means do CIOs have to contribute to the ecological transition?
As part of their commitment to the ecological transition, CIOs play a key role by implementing concrete actions to reduce the environmental footprint of IT infrastructure. CIOs can undertake strategic initiatives to achieve this goal.
In this context, CIOs might initiate an internal audit to assess the environmental impact of the IT infrastructure, closely examining the hardware used, logistical flows, and short supply chains. This evaluation will be the first step in identifying specific areas that need improvement.
In collaboration with the Purchasing department, CIOs aim to replace energy-intensive products with more environmentally friendly alternatives. They should promote eco-designed products with high repairability ratings and from suppliers committed to corporate social responsibility (CSR).
To ensure the viability of these initiatives, CIOs need to present a comprehensive investment plan, supported by a detailed analysis of the actual return on investment. This plan should be accompanied by a quantified strategy for reducing the carbon footprint, based on concrete factual elements.
According to the ADEME, 78 % of the environmental impact of digital technology comes from the manufacturing phase of IT equipment, primarily due to the rare metals involved in their production. Therefore, CIOs should focus on specific measures to reduce this impact right from the ordering stage of these tools.
According to a study by Statista, the amount of digital data created or replicated worldwide has increased more than thirtyfold over the past decade, rising from 2 zettabytes in 2010 to 64 zettabytes in 2020 (one zettabyte is equivalent to one billion terabytes, or one trillion gigabytes). Therefore, data management is crucial in reducing companies’ carbon footprints, placing CIOs in a central role for these actions.
These initiatives will enable CIOs to proactively integrate sustainable practices throughout all stages of IT infrastructure, thereby enhancing their contribution to the ecological transition.
CIOs and Ecological Transition: The Importance of Training
Training plays a crucial role in the impact that CIOs will have on the ecological transition. The primary goal is to equip decision-makers and managers with the skills needed to develop more sustainable business models. To achieve this, training aims to provide participants with essential tools, theoretical knowledge, and methods.
In this context, CIOs will learn to identify issues related to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) within organizations. This will involve a systemic understanding of the Global Sustainable Development Goals while integrating a comprehensive awareness of planetary boundaries. The training will also encourage CIOs to reconsider the mission and purpose of their organizations.
Another essential aspect of the training is to empower CIOs to design strategies that have a positive impact while ensuring sustainable performance. This means rethinking how information technology can serve sustainability goals. Additionally, participants will be trained to effectively steer the implementation of a sustainable strategy, in collaboration with the organization’s various internal and external stakeholders.
The training should also focus on defining the appropriate role of CIOs in this process, encouraging impactful leadership in their areas of expertise. This will promote collective commitment to sustainability goals, thereby enhancing the overall positive impact of the organization.
What are SAP’s solutions dedicated to reducing the carbon footprint ?
In this context, the German software provider SAP has committed to deploying various solutions aimed at reducing carbon emissions, demonstrating its strong commitment to sustainability.
SAP S/4HANA Cloud Green Ledger:
This ledger is notable for its goal of significantly enhancing companies’ environmental sustainability efforts. By treating environmental reporting with the same rigor as financial accounting, this solution aims to simplify and streamline the process. SAP introduced this green ledger to facilitate companies’ sustainability initiatives while simultaneously promoting the transition to S/4HANA Cloud. This solution includes numerous applications designed to reduce the carbon footprint.
- SAP Sustainability Footprint Management: This application calculates and provides comprehensive management of carbon emission data throughout the value chain. It offers a broad overview of your carbon footprint by performing calculations that integrate supplier data and existing business data.
- SAP Sustainability Control Tower: This global cloud system harmonizes sustainability data from SAP and third-party systems with all your business processes. As a management tool, it allows you to set key performance indicators (KPIs), monitor progress in climate action, circular economy, and social responsibility, and track performance against predefined goals.
- SAP Sustainability Data Exchange: This feature, integrated with SAP Business Network, facilitates the secure sharing of sustainability-related data with suppliers and partners.
Other SAP Sustainability Solutions for Climate Benefit:
SAP E-Mobility:
This solution is essential for achieving decarbonization goals in the field of electric mobility. It provides a clear view of all charging processes, monitors incidents, manages energy costs, tracks electrical network usage, and optimizes expenses.
SAP Landscape Management Cloud:
This solution plays a key role in reducing the carbon emissions associated with IT operations. It helps minimize the carbon footprint of cloud infrastructure by automating specific routines within software systems, whether they are SAP or non-SAP.
SAP Concur:
This solution offers comprehensive management of travel and expense reports, aiming to promote sustainable business travel. It enhances visibility into spending and supports the adoption of sustainable practices. This not only improves operational efficiency but also strengthens the commitment to environmental sustainability in the professional environment.
This approach demonstrates SAP’s proactive commitment to integrating sustainable practices in the field of information technology, offering a concrete response to current environmental concerns.
Today, CIOs can play a crucial role in reducing the ecological footprint by adopting wise practices to address various environmental challenges. Recognizing this crucial role, SAP is committed to providing dedicated solutions to support companies’ efforts in contributing to environmental preservation.
