When technology spotlights sustainability

In our rapidly advancing and technology-driven world, individuals have the potential to shape the way we live, work and connect with one another, but our environment also bears the cost. Sustainability is a priority as technology continues to scale greater heights. Adopting eco-friendly solutions, engaging in sustainable collaborations, and exploring efficiencies within the existing tech infrastructure are some ways to create a greener and more efficient system. The number of digital devices used across the globe multiplies exponentially every day along with the energy consumption and electronic waste crises. Addressing these issues requires a critical analysis of the existing processes and identifying how standard operating processes can be enhanced for sustainable technology solutions.

At Deloitte, we innovate for energy-efficient results and to reduce our carbon footprint with green technology as our focus. A sweep survey conducted by the Sustainability Center of Excellence (CoE) for Technology revealed that technology is not a part of the problem but rather a vital component of the solution, enabling us to quantify emissions generated by technology. The emergence of green technology, renewable energy sources, energy-efficient devices, and eco-friendly manufacturing processes is transforming the landscape. Realigning existing sustainability calculators with our evolved tech footprint helps us drive our strategies toward eco-friendly technology solutions.

The organization is cognizant of the responsibility to mitigate the environmental impact of technology operations. Simple actions such as adjusting the brightness of our display screens to large-scale shifts in operating energy-efficient data centers and cloud optimization methodologies, we are leading by example and influencing our supply chain practice. We evaluate ways to extend the life of equipment engagement through reusing and repurposing, hence reducing e-waste and disposal.

Our professionals are trained through various certifications and capacity-building programs to increase awareness in this domain. Through my role as the Technology Sustainability Leader, I cannot overstate the impact that collective individual actions have in creating a sea change. Raising awareness about the environmental impact of technology and encouraging responsible consumption is the need of the hour. It is a necessity and an individual and collective responsibility, that we embrace green innovations, advocate for responsible policies, and make conscious choices as consumers. Energy-efficient technology infrastructure designs, dashboards that are optimized to track emissions, and usage of sustainable materials will change the way we minimize environmental impact. Together, we can pave the way for a greener tomorrow, where technology enhances lives without compromising the health of our planet.