New research unveiled by Dell Technologies to mark World Environment Day has revealed that 77% of businesses in Ireland now have a clear sustainability roadmap with defined goals to reduce their carbon footprint.
Based on responses from 100 IT and business decision markers, the innovation catalysts study suggests while there is a high level of understanding of the environmental standards as set out in law, there is, many businesses are concerned about their ability to meet those standards.
68% of respondents say they understand all the environmental regulations their organisation needs to comply with. However, 50% report that they struggle to keep pace with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards and initiatives.
Sustainability Priorities & Role of Technology
When asked how they are prioritising sustainability across their organisations, 61% said they are prioritising improving their energy efficiency, while 41% are investing in the right skills and talent to meet their sustainability targets. Additionally, 40% have already initiated recycling programs, with a further 39% committed to minimising waste production.
The survey also points towards the growing role played by technology in advancing sustainability. 70% are experimenting with as-a-Service solutions to manage their IT environment more efficiently to reduce energy costs and carbon footprint. 56% of IT decision-makers in Ireland reported using alternative cooling solutions such as air cooling and liquid cooling to save energy in their data centres. Companies are also moving AI inferencing to the Edge to become more energy efficient. This includes accelerating the move to smart buildings.
Close to one in three (30%) believe there’s an untapped potential for organisations to harness AI for driving sustainable innovation, with 28% already leveraging data analytics to optimise and deepen their understanding of environmental impacts and to inform their sustainable innovation strategies.
Embracing the Circular Economy
The commitment to sustainability extends beyond operational efficiency, as evidenced in the study, 75% of the respondents cited plans to responsibly retire or recycle end-of-life IT equipment, with 80% already investing in equipment with extended lifecycles and are easy to repair and upgrade, aligning with principles of circular economy.
The study also emphasises that Irish businesses see transparency and accountability as a non-negotiable in vendor relationships, with 74% of respondents demanding clear sustainability goals and emissions accountability from their suppliers across the value chain and 67% acknowledging the value of collaborating with third-party companies to advance sustainability initiatives.
George Maybury, Enterprise, and Public Sector Director at Dell Technologies said: “As we mark World Environment Day, it’s positive to see the proactive steps being taken by Irish businesses to create a more sustainable future. Our research underscores the increasing important role played by technology in helping organisations become more energy efficient, reduce carbon emissions and create a circular economy.
“Despite the progress being made, there is a large number of businesses that are struggling to keep pace with increasingly complex environmental standards. They will require support in order to achieve their climate action targets. At Dell Technologies, we remain committed to supporting businesses on their sustainability journey, leveraging cutting-edge solutions to help them meet and exceed their environmental goals”.
