Kyndryl and Microsoft Study Reveals Gap Between Sustainability Goals and Technology Adoption

Kyndryl and Microsoft Study: Only 21% of Organizations Globally Recognize Technology's Role in Advancing Their Broader Sustainability Goals By Investing.com

Data and AI are becoming powerful catalysts for driving action and predicting future risks , /PRNewswire/ -- Kyndryl (NYSE: KD), the world's largest IT infrastructure services provider, released the second Global Sustainability Barometer study, commissioned by Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT). The study, conducted by Ecosystm, shows that while 84% of organizations place a high strategic importance on achieving sustainability goals, only 21% use technology to reduce their environmental footprint and shape their overall sustainability strategy. Since last year, 38% of organizations have increased their sustainability goals and program execution " demonstrating progress as the world works toward a green future. "As the world faces increasing climate-related challenges, businesses are under pressure to act decisively and place sustainability at the forefront " and this year's Global Sustainability Barometer study highlights that organizations must move from intent to collective action to drive change," said , Chief Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability Officer at Kyndryl. "By integrating sustainability into a company's business strategy, processes and systems, organizations can maximize the value of their people and technology to achieve internal goals and deliver positive impact." The study shows that leaders are increasingly recognizing the benefits of sustainability initiatives for their organizations, with specific areas where improvements can be made. By embedding technology into sustainability strategies, organizations can turn abstract goals into actionable, data-driven plans. The study highlights the following areas of opportunity: , a Sustainability Global Black Belt at Microsoft, added, "Companies can gain the insights needed to deliver on their commitments and drive resilience by integrating sustainability data with operational and financial data, and using traditional data analytics and robust AI tooling to reshape operational efficiencies and foster sustainable innovations." Taking action to advance sustainability strategies The study's detailed analysis and deep insights can enable organizations to enhance their sustainability efforts. To fully realize an organization's potential, consider the following guiding principles: While the benefit of AI for sustainability is gaining traction, AI's environmental impact is a growing concern. Only 35% of organizations are considering the energy implications of their AI solutions. Kyndryl and Microsoft provide actionable strategies for organizations to measure infrastructure baseline emissions and optimize AI architectures, including AI and machine learning models to minimize energy use and reduce waste. The two companies work closely with organizations to ensure that technological advancements contribute positively to sustainability goals without compromising innovation. "As organizations increasingly recognize sustainability as a strategic imperative, we're witnessing a surge of innovation and collaboration. AI is at the forefront of this movement, empowering businesses to optimize resource consumption, reduce waste and drive positive environmental impact," said , CEO & Co-Founder of Ecosystm. "By uniting our efforts and leveraging technology, we can create a more sustainable and equitable future for generations to come." About the Study The second edition of the Global Sustainability Barometer study, conducted by Ecosystm and commissioned by Kyndryl and Microsoft, reflects the perspectives of 1,355 global sustainability leaders spanning 20 countries and 9 industry groups. Conducted between August and , this study aims to bridge the sustainability-technology divide by examining the roles of strategy, data and AI in achieving sustainability goals. Learn more about the study, "From Insights to Action (WA:ACT): The Technology Impact on Sustainability." About Kyndryl Kyndryl (NYSE: KD) is the world's largest IT infrastructure services provider, serving thousands of enterprise customers in more than 60 countries. The company designs, builds, manages, and modernizes the complex, mission-critical information systems that the world depends on every day. For more information, please visit www.kyndryl.com.

Many firms don't realise how technology can help them hit sustainability goals

A new joint study by Kyndryl and Microsoft has shed light on how taking advantage of new and emerging technologies can actually help companies reach their sustainability goals. With British businesses being forced to comply with increasingly stringent regulations, nine in 10 (92%) UK companies now recognize sustainability as a high priority, however fewer than one in three (30%) are fully using technology for meaningful progress. However, the report revealed that investor expectations and shareholder demands are the primary motivators - with pressure coming from the top and outside, businesses are less likely to feel the urge to change, which is reflected in the low green tech uptake. With investor and shareholder pressure now noted by 38% of respondents, up from 29% last year, the need to reduce energy consumption as a motivator has slipped four percentage points to 38%. In terms of how companies can use tech to become more sustainable, artificial intelligence is already emerging as an important role player. Three in five (62%) use it to monitor energy use and emissions, but with only 37% using predictive AI to forecast needs based on trends and patterns, there's room for improvement. Furthermore, only one in five (19%) fully use data for strategic planning and decision-making - a concerningly small proportion given the importance of a strong data foundation in the deployment of AI tools. However, the report calls for the responsible use of artificial intelligence, which relies on power- and resource-hungry data centers that themselves are coming under scrutiny in a more environmentally-conscious world. Only one-third (35%) are currently considering the energy implications of their AI solutions. "By integrating sustainability into a company's business strategy, processes and systems, organizations can maximize the value of their people and technology to achieve internal goals and deliver positive impact," noted Faith Taylor, Chief Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability Officer at Kyndryl.

Kyndryl and Microsoft Study: Only 21% of Organizations Globally Recognize Technology's Role in Advancing Their Broader Sustainability Goals

Data and AI are becoming powerful catalysts for driving action and predicting future risks NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kyndryl (NYSE: KD), the world's largest IT infrastructure services provider, released the second Global Sustainability Barometer study, commissioned by Microsoft. The study, conducted by Ecosystm, shows that while 84% of organizations place a high strategic importance on achieving sustainability goals, only 21% use technology to reduce their environmental footprint and shape their overall sustainability strategy. Since last year, 38% of organizations have increased their sustainability goals and program execution - demonstrating progress as the world works toward a green future. "As the world faces increasing climate-related challenges, businesses are under pressure to act decisively and place sustainability at the forefront - and this year's Global Sustainability Barometer study highlights that organizations must move from intent to collective action to drive change," said Faith Taylor, Chief Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability Officer at Kyndryl. "By integrating sustainability into a company's business strategy, processes and systems, organizations can maximize the value of their people and technology to achieve internal goals and deliver positive impact." The study shows that leaders are increasingly recognizing the benefits of sustainability initiatives for their organizations, with specific areas where improvements can be made. By embedding technology into sustainability strategies, organizations can turn abstract goals into actionable, data-driven plans. The study highlights the following areas of opportunity: Matthew Sekol, a Sustainability Global Black Belt at Microsoft, added, "Companies can gain the insights needed to deliver on their commitments and drive resilience by integrating sustainability data with operational and financial data, and using traditional data analytics and robust AI tooling to reshape operational efficiencies and foster sustainable innovations." Taking action to advance sustainability strategies The study's detailed analysis and deep insights can enable organizations to enhance their sustainability efforts. To fully realize an organization's potential, consider the following guiding principles: While the benefit of AI for sustainability is gaining traction, AI's environmental impact is a growing concern. Only 35% of organizations are considering the energy implications of their AI solutions. Kyndryl and Microsoft provide actionable strategies for organizations to measure infrastructure baseline emissions and optimize AI architectures, including AI and machine learning models to minimize energy use and reduce waste. The two companies work closely with organizations to ensure that technological advancements contribute positively to sustainability goals without compromising innovation. "As organizations increasingly recognize sustainability as a strategic imperative, we're witnessing a surge of innovation and collaboration. AI is at the forefront of this movement, empowering businesses to optimize resource consumption, reduce waste and drive positive environmental impact," said Ullrich Loeffler, CEO & Co-Founder of Ecosystm. "By uniting our efforts and leveraging technology, we can create a more sustainable and equitable future for generations to come." About the Study The second edition of the Global Sustainability Barometer study, conducted by Ecosystm and commissioned by Kyndryl and Microsoft, reflects the perspectives of 1,355 global sustainability leaders spanning 20 countries and 9 industry groups. Conducted between August and September 2024, this study aims to bridge the sustainability-technology divide by examining the roles of strategy, data and AI in achieving sustainability goals. Learn more about the study, "From Insights to Action: The Technology Impact on Sustainability." About Kyndryl Kyndryl (NYSE: KD) is the world's largest IT infrastructure services provider, serving thousands of enterprise customers in more than 60 countries. The company designs, builds, manages, and modernizes the complex, mission-critical information systems that the world depends on every day. For more information, please visit www.kyndryl.com. Kyndryl Press Contact press@kyndryl.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kyndryl-and-microsoft-study-only-21-of-organizations-globally-recognize-technologys-role-in-advancing-their-broader-sustainability-goals-302301728.html