![]() ![]() This is partly about the operational efficiencies (through automation for example) and reduced travel through use of technology, but there are many other ways too.Moving the organisation to renewable energy sources and suppliers is a good example. Increasingly, clients will ask about credentials and commitments in this space in order to consider technology businesses (and other suppliers) for tenders governments may also insist on certain standards and certifications before giving suppliers a place on their frameworks while investors want to see increased commitment to ESG too.Digital leaders who help promote and create more sustainable solutions, products and services will therefore be directly feeding into stronger commercial prospects for the business.Digital leaders can also further help their organisation save on costs through sustainability – a growing priority for everyone at this time. Firstly, sustainability really matters to an ever wider range of stakeholders. By bringing the two together and creating a joined-up conversation, digital leaders have the chance to become even more relevant and important to their organisations.They can do this in a number of ways. Technology is firmly established around the boardroom table as a key topic in the running of the business so too is sustainability. The environment may have got tougher and economic conditions may be tightening – but it’s during times of retrenchment that there is an opportunity to stand out.Opportunity for digital leadersFor me, the really crucial point is just that – it’s an opportunity. Its prevalence will surely build back over time – and will be kickstarted again by the COP27 conference taking place in Egypt this month.Digital leaders surely need to do more. But it’s not something that’s going to disappear and digital leaders can’t afford to turn away from it. ![]() Chris Tilley, Nash Squared's Chief Financial Officer, discusses sustainability and what digital leaders need to consider going forward.Sustainability and ESG have become critical focus points for corporates as they look to help preserve the planet by managing their carbon footprints down to reach Net Zero targets and play a positive, purpose-led role in society and communities.So it’s disappointing to see that the profile of the sustainability agenda amongst digital leaders (CIOs, CTOs, Heads of IT etc) surveyed in this year’s Nash Squared Digital Leadership Report has been static over the last year.Just over four in ten digital leaders think technology has a big part to play in improving sustainability, unchanged from a year ago, while a quarter of respondents still think it has only a negligible or no part to play.Only a quarter are using technology to measure carbon footprint to any great extent, which is surely a bare minimum involvement, while only 20% are ensuring the supply chain/partners are sustainable.The bulk of digital leaders’ involvement in the sustainability arena still rests, as last year, with bread and butter aspects like using technology to increase operational efficiency and reduce business travel.An agenda that’s here to stayOf course, change takes time and there has been a very full agenda – to say the least – in the past year, with the pandemic swiftly followed by the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, further supply chain disruptions, and spiralling inflation and cost of living pressures.It’s actually not surprising, therefore, that the sustainability agenda has been crowded out to some extent. ![]()
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