Six out of ten organizations do not have insight into the environmental impact of IT

Half of IT decision-makers would prefer to invest more in sustainable IT

There is a great deal of ignorance concerning the ecological impact of IT. As many as 60 percent of the organizations have no insight into the environmental impact of IT. Only half (50%) of the organizations have insight into the energy consumption of IT. This is evident from our study among 529 decision-makers and influencers in the field of IT and 330 in the field of sustainability. It is clear that the disconnect between IT and sustainability is causing a lack of this kind of insight.

July 30th, 2024   |   News   |   By: Conclusion

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Sustainability and digitization research report

Investment in sustainable IT

Half of IT decision-makers (49%) would like to invest more in sustainable IT. Talking things through with IT suppliers can help to make IT more sustainable. This in turn also interests sustainability influencers and decision-makers (44%) and IT influencers and decision-makers (54%).

IT departments and the sustainability departments do not yet speak the same language

Cooperation between IT departments and sustainability departments is a precondition for sustainable IT. This is not always the case, with one in eight (13%) IT influencers (still) not working together with sustainability departments. And when these two departments do work together, only a small majority (52%) are satisfied with the contact and the feeling of speaking the same language. Slightly less than half of the IT influencers (47%) is of the opinion that IT and sustainability departments understand each other. Sustainability influencers view this differently: only 35 percent thinks that IT and sustainability departments understand each other.

IT has a significant impact on people and the environment that is often unseen.

Maaike Maranus van de Vrande, Director Sustainability

Maaike Maranus-van de Vrande, Sustainability Director at Conclusion: “It is remarkable that so many organizations do not have insight into the environmental impact of IT. After all, a sustainability transition is not complete if IT is not part of it. IT has a significant impact on people and the environment that is often unseen. At the same time, you can make a huge positive impact with IT if you use it properly. For an IT department, it is important not only to leverage expertise where opportunities exist, but also to provide insight into, address, and combat any negative impacts. An IT partner or supplier who helps come up with ideas and assumes their responsibilities in this regard is making a contribution. But above all, it is important that IT and sustainability departments within companies work closely together to gain insight into the opportunities that are out there and to seize them together.”

Research report on sustainability and digitalization

IT and sustainability are inextricably linked. But what about the collaboration between IT and sustainability in organizations? We presented the same statements to sustainability and IT influencers and decision-makers within Dutch organizations. (English version available soon)