The technology industry is thriving. However, the same can’t be said for the environment and the world’s delicate ecological balance. Many in the professional world concern themselves with the optimal running of IT facilities. Usually, this is at the detriment of the environment due to the high carbon footprint.
Therefore, several IT experts and people in the technology world attempt new and innovative ways of using technology to help prevent or reverse global warming. These efforts come as part of the push for more sustainable businesses. Even consumers tend to favor brands and companies that they perceive have a sustainable framework and business approach.
More companies are ready to use technology to the advantage of the global ecosystem, partly because of the obvious consumer benefits. But also due to the tax incentives and other indirect PR benefits.
If you recently wondered how to strategically deploy technology for the good of the environment, here are six quick methods.
Personal Contributions
The commitment to sustainability needs to be at every level of the organization, irrespective of how much technology is involved. You can get started on an individual level by taking the following steps:
Take a Break – Configure your monitors and computers to switch to energy-saving mode when out of active use.
Unplug – You can easily unplug electronics, especially when they have user-friendly adapters like the British plug devices.
Telecommute – Cut down on travel and long-distance road trips with collaborative tools like Google Hangouts, Slack, and Zoom.
Electronic Devices
It might surprise you to learn the amount of technology hardware and devices businesses buy each year. Most of these purchases have severe ramifications for the planet, either during their manufacturing, shipping, disposal, or maintenance process. As tech tools and devices are also part of business resources, minimizing redundancies can substantially impact.
So instead of planning for new device purchases, you can prepare for the longevity of existing technology and take steps accordingly. For instance, Google workspace works with Chrome, whereas Microsoft Suite requires companies to upgrade devices before running the newest version of Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.
Data Warehouses
Next, you need to take a closer look at your organization’s data needs now that it has gone completely paperless. What becomes of all the information your company produces when it’s not in active use? Most businesses overlook the possibilities for environmental conservation created by adopting green methods of data warehousing.
The current approach data warehousing approach isn’t doing Mother Nature any good. Maintaining the traditional data and cloud facilities involves immense amounts of energy. Instead of this, companies can use recommendations from Energy Star or use the Google Cloud Platform to remove their data carbon footprint altogether.
Certified Business Partners
As you aim to upgrade the current standards of your corporate technology, forge strategic bonds with partners and vendors with some of these eco-friendly accreditations:
EPEAT – The IT sector’s number one ecolabel worldwide.
Green Business Bureau – Awards points of companies initiative-based sustainability.
Energy Star – Save energy and reduce carbon footprint through Energy Star certified office equipment like imaging equipment, computers, copiers, monitors, printers, etc. These devices consume less power while performing regular tasks efficiently.
American Consumer Council – Gives out a Green C Certification when a business meets its high sustainability standards.
Green Plus – An evaluation program that awards certification for sustainable processes.
Business Operations
At this point, most tech companies have gone paperless by using email and messaging tools like Workplace and Gmail. According to Statista, paper use across the US is reducing. However, several aspects of the daily business operations still occur offline. Some of the elements of business operation and processes that lie outside the eco-friendly approach of most companies are user adoption, security, and customer retention.
Whenever something goes wrong along these touchpoints, employees will always resort to traditional methods like paper printing. Therefore, promptly solving common hiccups in business processes such as invoicing, accounting, and onboarding involves implementing reliable infrastructure.
Environmental Monitoring
Technology is now playing an instrumental role in the implementation and enforcement of rules and regulations governing sustainability. In the parts of the world where animal poachers usually operate, conservations deploy drones to look out for hunting activities. They fit the drones with security cameras that pickup suspicious activities while covering large distances in less time.
Also, governments leverage technology to keep an eye on companies to ensure they observe environmental regulations. An excellent example is the air pollution system’s geospatial monitors collecting the air surrounding oil and gas facilities and testing for pollutants.
Conclusion
The process made in renewable energy and the present focus on sustainability is advantageous for the entire planet. Mother nature thrives on a delicate balance of all elements, and it falls to all businesses and individuals to use the means available to conserve it. You and your company can start with these six tech-focused solutions.
But you don’t have to stop here. Even in your personal life and homes, minor changes can go a long way to make a significant difference, especially if it becomes a collective effort. Remember, it all begins with knowledge and awareness. Therefore, help spread the word to a friend or colleague.
