New InfoBrief research from IDC neatly identifies a critical issue in business sustainability today: the time and effort ‘costs’ of operational change and date reporting dominate the agenda, stopping boardrooms from seeing the flip-side benefits of accelerating towards net zero. For many, increasing sustainability across the organisation feels like an imposed burden. 

In these cases, the C-suite only sees the sustainability ‘stick’ rather than the ‘carrots’ it can deliver. It doesn’t focus on the positives, overlooking how boosting sustainability equals finding ways to do more with less, which leads to highly desirable outcomes around resource optimisation and reduced energy consumption.

By focusing on optimising networking infrastructure and reducing the energy consumption of data centres - both energy-hungry, particularly as their organisation scales AI, they become pivotal players in achieving the broader sustainability goals the leadership team sets.

Already, 44% of IT buyers require ICT providers to supply IT efficiency and sustainability credentials in their products, and one in every two Request for Proposals (RFPs) specifies stringent sustainability criteria if a company is to be considered for a contract. 

Because sustainability is - or shortly will be - a 'must do' to stay in business, meeting ESG goals has become the top priority for CEOs globally, driving investments in sustainable ICT solutions.