This doesnt mean to say theyre entirely sustainable. For example, consumer electronics manufacturer Philips is using digital technology to capture more information on the product life cycle in order to reduce waste. Its important, therefore, for businesses to approach these developments carefully, balancing the twin imperatives of driving efficiencies and ensuring social survival and resilience. Digital advances can support and accelerate achievement of each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals - from ending extreme poverty to reducing maternal and infant mortality, promoting. The tool will help companies with a digital solution that allows them to build sustainability and ESG applications for sustainability effort towards net-zero. Efficiency of device and machine 7. Digital technologies can be used to address these food sustainability challenges whilst potentially creating new businesses with attractive returns. Couldnt you just do this by deploying technology? At Western Digital, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of game-changing innovations. Yet, deployments of interactive technologies for such purposes often lead to a paradox: they algorithmically "optimize" heating and lighting of houses without regard to the dynamics of daily life in the home; they can collect and display data that allow us to reflect on energy and emissions, yet the same information can cause us to raise our expectations for comfort and convenience; they might allow us to share best practice for sustainable living through social networking and online communities, yet these same systems further our participation in consumerism and contribute to an ever-greater volume of electronic waste.By acknowledging these paradoxes, this book represents a significant critical inquiry into digital technologys longer-term impact on ideals of sustainability. Explore our global insights below on some of the key sustainability and ESG challenges organizations face today and learn how your business can help . A workforce [with digital skills] at all levels acts with much more agility and it enables us to build partnerships and capabilities that drive scale across a global network, not only inside our company but with many, many more partners. But the two concepts, digital technology and environmental sustainability, are often mutually reinforcing. Moreover, unsustainable practices such as the release of toxic emissions can no longer be hidden. The bright side is that digital technology such as AI, big data, IoT, and blockchain is revolutionising our approach to conservation of biodiversity, clean energy development, and the management of natural disasters. I know that your Penang [Malaysia] site has experienced very significant volume growth four times in the last five years. They have also done things at scale. It drives innovation thats reflective of the stakeholders and the communities we serve. And that makes it everybody's business. Thats great. So thats why we rely on 4IR technologies to drive eco-efficiency. //--> Service Delivery Platform Market 2022: Comprehensive Study by Top Key Players Accenture . . This meant that not only could the customer lengthen the life of the equipment it had bought, but Philips could develop an ongoing relationship with its customers that it hadnt had before. Christine Bastian: Alignment on common ground. Two years ago, the Indian government abruptly wiped out most of the nations currency in hopes of ending black money and curbing corruption. So, from a commercial perspective, digital sustainability isnt about actions that make operations less convenient or more disruptive; its more about leaning into tech protocols to enhance the positive effects in every area. I think its a diverse and inclusive workforce that drives innovation. What weve seen from your companies and the others is really innovative upskilling programs, whole academies, new types of apprenticeship. (Eds.). To build a workforce for the future, leaders need to understand how priorities are changing among new generations of talent. The other is driven by a combination of climate and environmental degradation and geopolitical instability, all of which demand a new approach that prioritizes resource conservation and environmental governance and in particular redoubled efforts to de-carbonize the atmosphere. Create the management information needed to drive these issues in the operational activities of your business. Sign up now to get our top insights on business strategy and management trends, delivered straight to your inbox twice a week. Not just the methods involved, but also why this should be an important priority for your business. And societal impacts have an ethical dimension. It continues to empower us to connect with ideas, cultures, and activities that seemed distant even a couple of decades ago. Then, Id say were really amplifying efforts to attract and retain a more diverse and inclusive workforce, as well as development programs weve put in place across our corporation on resilience and digitally adept talent. What is your workforce strategy going forward? The tool will help companies with a digital solution that . We think the application of digital technology requires a far more balanced sustainability strategy, one that understands and addresses its economic and social impacts. Using technology innovation to drive sustainability. To make an impact on the environment through digital sustainability, its helpful to understand what it entails. Among the most fundamental disruptions to global society over the last century is the rise of big data, artificial intelligence (AI), and other digital technologies. And as a result, more digitally sustainable and appealing. And we need the latest technologies to realize that, so thats one piece of it. In the current geopolitical context, local manufacturing and supply chain resilience are becoming increasingly important. And, of course, that also expands to our partners. After all, staff not on board with digital sustainability practices are not going to be effective additions. Thank you The technologies most commonly used in digital sustainability activities include distributed ledger technologies (blockchain), artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), Big Data Analytics, mobile technology and applications, sensors and other IOT devices, and other telemetry tools like satellites and drones. We need to change our supply chain and the way we produce our products, so this way we can reduce our energy efficiency, our water usage, while managing to get closer to the customer we serve. Companies the world over have made commitments to meet decarbonization goals and are looking inward, reviewing their operations and processes all in a quest to reduce emissions. The result was great, because across the board we increased invention disclosures during the pandemic as compared to before. Lets listen in. In the past, it was not uncommon for companies to know little about their assets or products after they were made and sold. At Western Digital, we recognize the importance of doing our part to contain global temperature rise. Each of these companies has been able to demonstrate not only that they can pilot new technologies, but that they have truly transformed their way of working in order to create sustained outcomes. Finally, a vector autoregressive model was established to study the interrelations between China's digital technology and sustainable energy development based on energy production, supply, consumption, and environmental protection. Kathy Wengel: Thank you, Katy. It is showing what you can do if you use design thinking, bring the best people together, and apply the best technologies. procure sustainable technology and digital services; To help meet these objectives, from 30 September 2021 suppliers for new procurements worth more than 5 million per year must commit to . Advanced Automation 3. Thank you for that. But its also about bringing the multidisciplinary skills into your team. We have specific focus areas, including our Women in STEM2D program. Strategy+business is a trademark of PwC. Perhaps, the chipboard finally gets transformed into charcoal and burned. And then the final note that I really want to touch upon is that, are people in the center of this transformation? Putting together that cross-functional team from the beginning, when you start to launch new ways of working, was fundamental to us. Many of these technologies improve yields, cut waste and resource use, and enhance the sustainability of farming. While digital technologies can have . Info-Tech identified eight key players in the digital signage and IPTV technology space that have baseline functional viability for any sports entertainment business. By the laws of physics, matter is conserved. The Global Lighthouse Network now numbers over 100 sites across sectors and geographies, all leading the way in harnessing the potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. They are showing us what is possible in terms of delivering not only great economic results but also great environmental results. And that becomes a blueprint within Ericsson. Sustainability Magazine is a Digital Community for the global sustainability space that connects the world . The UN survey, World Economic And Social Survey 2018: Frontier Technologies For Sustainable Development indicates artificial intelligence, machine learning, renewable energy and energy storage technologies, autonomous vehicles and drones, cryptocurrencies, and blockchain technologies as the ones that have been impacting and will continue to . [Our people] realized they [were in the center] and got even more empowered. This is emerging as the critical component of NHS Digital's response to the sustainability agenda and we are contributing to the wider agenda across . And that D, by the way, is about design thinking that goes into everything we do in science, technology, engineering, math, and manufacturing. For more than three decades, we've been setting publicly facing environmental goals. Digital technology and the environment and The rise of the sustainable enterprise. I know that one of the things that stood out for us in the Lewisville site was the way that you went after a kind of multipronged approach to upskilling your workforce, including using a virtual-reality platform, as well as collaborating with local universities. . Sustainability has been increasingly top of mind for many organizations across all industries. For more details, review our .chakra .wef-12jlgmc{-webkit-transition:all 0.15s ease-out;transition:all 0.15s ease-out;cursor:pointer;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:none;color:inherit;font-weight:700;}.chakra .wef-12jlgmc:hover,.chakra .wef-12jlgmc[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.chakra .wef-12jlgmc:focus,.chakra .wef-12jlgmc[data-focus]{box-shadow:0 0 0 3px rgba(168,203,251,0.5);}privacy policy. Katy George: I love the optimism that all three of you bring to the future of manufacturing and operations, and the future of work and being able to create wonderful experiences and really meaningful jobs for people. https://doi.org/10.9774/gleaf.9781315465975, Audrey Desjardins, Xiaolan Wang, Ron Wakkary, Registered in England & Wales No. Never miss an insight. Though digital technology is often overlooked as a primary carbon producer, its impact on global sustainability is widespread as are its origin points. Digital sustainability, which involves the use of technologies in everyday business applications to address climate-related issues and improve Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) outcomes, can play an important role in combating climate change. In our increasingly digital world, startups and established firms can make progress together by building trust and focusing on value creation. Bitcoin mining the process by which bitcoins are produced is a highly energy intensive process. Put simply, its about efficiencies. After all,some businesses like online casinos use fewer resourcesthan their physical counterparts. Mentions of Strategy& refer to the global team of practical strategists that is integrated within the PwC network of firms. . On one hand, the rise of digital technology has opened up our world. What is your strategy? Providing staff with training on cyber sanitary behavior is vital too. Digital sustainability is an opportunity for businesses to build an industrial ecosystem that uses tools both passively and actively beneficial to the environment. BE SURE TO FIRST CONSULT WITH A QUALIFIED FINANCIAL ADVISER, TAX PROFESSIONAL, OR ATTORNEY BEFORE IMPLEMENTING ANY STRATEGY OR RECOMMENDATION DISCUSSED HEREIN. The move comes amid a time of major . A number of programs are using digital technology to deliver social benefits. and then [scaling technologies] doesnt work. The Penang site joined the Global Lighthouse Network only in 2021, so a bit more recently. So it was important to pledge and set our ambitious goal to help limit the increase to less than 1.5C by 2030. Kathy? When we think about connecting our people with this purpose of innovation, which is the key in keeping our workforce passionately engaged both in the upscaling and in being future ready. ESG technology provider ESG Enterprise is launching the ESG-as-a-service API library. Can you tell us a little bit about how your Fourth Industrial Revolution technology applications have allowed you to do that? Building sustainability as a competitive advantage, however, requires integrating technology and data from the very beginning. John Blasberg, Jenny Davis-Peccoud, Sasha Duchnowski and Vikki Tam, Senior Partner, Digital and Retail practice, Partner; Environmental, Social and Governance Champion, Americas, is affecting economies, industries and global issues, with our crowdsourced digital platform to deliver impact at scale. Employee demand. I think thats one of the most exciting use cases I see for 5G going forward, and its not only for upskilling or reskilling. In contrast, "The Shift Project", a . For technology companies, however . The factors that propel them are unrelated. I would love to know how that has worked for you. A lot of technological leadership is not only about 5G, which we love to talk about, or all of the smart AI applications, its also about the development happening on the material side and on the design side. Many digital technology companies help facilitate the shift towards sustainability by providing smart solutions to typically technology-deficit industries. sa, wed love to hear a bit about what you have done. So were just so proud of our team for receiving our first WEF sustainability designation for our lighthouse in Cork, Ireland. Second, inform better. Has the experiment worked? And we would go further: Without digital technology, it is hard for companies to ease their pollution footprint or manage waste. Making operations primarily digital can seem naturally environmentally friendly. Its about onboarding new people into your team.