SUSTAINABILITY
allow buildings to run more easily via smart meters, monitoring devices and sensors which will both improve energy efficiency and reduce waste by automatically controlling systems based on need.” According to Juras, these devices are already entering the market. “Connectivity through the Internet of Things has helped companies to manage resources and energies better,” said Juras. “The connected nature of devices has enabled companies to track and report on resource impact and therefore see where there are opportunities to reduce the impact on the environment. “It is important to note that these are benefits that have been achieved through technology, but there must also be an awareness of the balance between the use of technology and its potential negative impact on the environment. “We need to develop solutions that can support sustainability but must also ensure the technology is not impacting the environment in the background by ensuring lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and lower electronic and plastic waste.” The Business Case The benefits of adopting an environmentally friendly mindset are not limited to the birds and the bees. As we’ve been made painfully aware over the last couple of years, the energy that we use to power computers and keep the lights on is not free. Juras went on to say that a change of mindset is needed within businesses in order
to combat the warming globe. “Sustainability needs to be embedded in the business,” said Juras. “Companies need to learn and innovate to adapt to the new requirements around carbon and environmental impacts. “There will inevitably be increased costs associated with resources that have a heavy carbon footprint or energy usage which can also act as a driver of change. “Businesses need to see sustainability as an operational and financial efficiency tool rather than just a checkbox. Investing in ensuring your products and solutions require less energy and carbon resources is a benefit for all businesses in the long term and helps with risk management as businesses become less reliant on fossil fuels and decrease their carbon footprint.” But this change of attitude may not be forthcoming. While it seems that net zero targets are cropping up now, warnings about warming have been made for decades. For this reason, regulation may be the only way to consistently force change. “The urgency of sustainability means that we need all players within the value chain to take responsibility,” continued Juras. “Change must be pushed by the market. “Strong regulation such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) will be able to help as it is focused on the whole value chain. Suppliers will no longer have a choice but to improve their carbon footprint as it will be required by different customers across the industry. “At Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, we consider
CONTINUED
Jack Hayes
sustainability- speakers.com
We need to develop solutions that can support sustainability but must also
ensure the technology is not
impacting the environment...
28
Powered by FlippingBook