How IT Can Play a Bigger Role in Your Company’s Sustainability Strategy

Prashi Jain Author

Learn how IT can contribute to corporate sustainability by optimizing resources, reducing waste, and implementing greener technologies effectively.

The Growing Role of IT in Corporate Sustainability

For IT organizations, sustainability is not a new concept. Over a decade ago, "Green IT" was a popular initiative, often led by IT departments rather than integrated into broader corporate strategies. However, today, corporate sustainability is a key priority, with an AXELOS sustainability survey revealing that 87% of organizations have embedded sustainability into their strategies, priorities, and metrics.

But how well do corporate sustainability strategies align with IT strategies? Is your IT organization doing enough to support and drive corporate sustainability efforts?

In this blog, we explore how IT can play a larger role in sustainability, using insights from the AXELOS sustainability survey and key principles from the ITIL framework.

Understanding Sustainability in IT

Before diving into IT's role, let’s clarify what sustainability means in a corporate setting.

The ITIL 4: Sustainability in Digital and IT publication defines sustainability as:

“A business approach focused on creating long-term value for society and stakeholders by addressing risks and opportunities associated with economic, environmental, and social developments.”

Corporate sustainability is often linked to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies, aiming to address major global challenges such as:

• Reducing fossil fuel dependency
• Preventing species extinction
• Ensuring clean water resources
• Minimizing atmospheric damage

Beyond the ethical responsibility, sustainability efforts enhance brand perception, drive sales, and improve financial performance.

The Financial Impact of Sustainability Investments

One of the most important factors driving sustainability is its impact on financial performance. The AXELOS sustainability survey asked organizations whether sustainability investments contribute to their financial bottom line:

• 44% said YES
• 7% said NO
• 39% were unsure
• 10% had no sustainability investments

When considering only the yes and no responses, 86% of organizations believe sustainability investments positively impact financial results.

For IT organizations, this means investing in sustainability is not just the right thing to do but also a smart business move.

IT Organizations and Corporate Sustainability

The AXELOS survey also examined IT’s involvement in sustainability. The results showed that 80% of IT organizations have included sustainability in their strategies, priorities, and metrics, aligning with corporate sustainability initiatives.

However, when asked whether IT could do more, 68% of respondents agreed. When removing the "don’t know" responses, this figure rises to 91%.

This raises a critical question: Is IT just talking about sustainability, or is it actively driving change?

Challenges to IT-Driven Sustainability Initiatives

Despite the clear business case for sustainability, organizations face barriers to investing in IT-led sustainability initiatives. The AXELOS survey highlighted the top three challenges:

1. Competing priorities for resources (51%)
2. Lack of knowledge and skills (39%)
3. Insufficient education and training (38%)

For IT organizations, the lack of skills and training is a significant issue. Investing in ITIL training, custom training, and instructor-led training can bridge this gap and equip IT professionals with the IT governance and change management skills needed for sustainability initiatives.

How IT Can Drive Sustainability Efforts

To become a true enabler of corporate sustainability, IT organizations should focus on five key areas:

1. Implement Sustainable IT Operations

IT teams can optimize energy consumption, reduce e-waste, and implement green data centers to lower carbon footprints. ITIL processes such as continual service improvement and problem management can enhance sustainability efforts.

2. Enhance IT Governance for Sustainability

Strong IT governance ensures that sustainability goals are integrated into IT decision-making. This is particularly relevant for IT governance South Africa, where regulatory compliance is essential.

3. Adopt Cloud and Virtualization Strategies

Shifting to cloud-based solutions reduces on-premise energy consumption and hardware waste, making IT operations more sustainable.

4. Educate IT Teams on Sustainability Best Practices

Investing in ITIL certification, particularly in cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town, ensures IT professionals are equipped with the right knowledge. Organizations can leverage ITIL corporate training to upskill teams.

5. Integrate IT with Corporate Sustainability Initiatives

IT should not work in isolation. Collaborate with CSR and ESG teams to align IT projects with sustainability goals.

Conclusion: IT’s Role in a Sustainable Future

IT plays a pivotal role in corporate sustainability, from optimizing IT operations to ensuring compliance with sustainability regulations. However, to be truly effective, IT teams must address knowledge gaps, invest in training, and align IT strategies with broader corporate sustainability goals.

By leveraging ITIL training, custom training, and continual service improvement frameworks, IT organizations can drive meaningful sustainability changes while delivering financial benefits.

Looking to enhance your IT sustainability expertise?

Explore ITIL training in South Africa, including ITIL certification Johannesburg and ITIL certification Cape Town, with Prompt Edify. Our instructor-led training programs equip IT professionals with the knowledge needed to support and lead corporate sustainability initiatives.

What role is your IT organization playing in corporate sustainability? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Mr Anup sharma (Director and Founder of Prompt Edify)

Categories: : ITIL Strategist