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How Can Technology Support Business Sustainability?

August 2, 2024

Companies can play an important role in environmental protection by investing in sustainability. According to McKinsey and Co., over 1,800 organizations have been inspired to set goals related to decarbonization and sustainability. Countless others are looking for new ways to prioritize sustainability in their operations. 

Technology can play a significant role in sustainability investments. Modern tech can help companies run more efficiently, reducing their environmental impact while also helping them save money. This means sustainable investments can potentially increase profits. 

Here are a few connections between sustainability and technology to guide companies toward better decision-making and optimized operations. 

Reducing Environmental Impact through Data Management

The first step for a company to improve sustainability is to develop a clear picture of the organization’s consumption. Executives need to understand how much they consume each month and the amount that goes to waste due to poor management. This is where big data comes in. 

Big data is a large pool of insights and metrics collected within your organization. Your pool of big data could come from direct metrics gathered by your operations team and then compared with expert third-party sources to help you compare your efforts to industry benchmarks. The sets of information are then analyzed by data professionals. They make recommendations and develop action items to support sustainability. Executives can review the data insights and apply the recommendations to the operations, reducing waste within the company. 

For example, a data analyst could review trends in HVAC use compared to outside temperatures. They would identify patterns to recommend ideal temperature settings that keep employees cool without wasting money on air conditioning. 

Implementing best practices in data collection and digital record-keeping isn’t easy. Teams often use cloud storage to hold the information and need skilled analysts to review and present the data cleanly. However, these efforts can be worth it to increase an organization’s efficiency. 

Big data analytics can also support companies in the long run. They can track their positive environmental impact because of the changes they make, proving to customers and shareholders that their efforts are making a difference. Tracking the long-run impact of sustainable improvements can also help companies prove there is a strong return on investment (ROI) to implementing big data collection processes and hiring staff to manage them.  

Leveraging AI for Sustainable Solutions

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the power to transform modern energy systems and help companies become more sustainable. For example, AI tools can predict when demand for resources will surge and help companies respond accordingly to optimize use. In the energy sector, this is found in air conditioning demand in the summer. When temperatures spike, electricity demand surges to keep buildings cool. AI tools can predict these surges so systems don’t get overwhelmed. 

Professionals with computer science skills will be essential as more companies invest in AI-driven sustainability efforts — especially with the Department of Energy supporting the use of AI to fight climate change. You can use your computer science degree to identify sustainability concerns and develop algorithms and machine learning tools to address them. 

Optimizing Energy Use with IoT Systems

Systems that use the Internet of Things (IoT) are made up of several connected devices that collect and share information. There are countless applications for the IoT in business to track information and apply improvements to optimize workflows. 

In facilities management, for example, smart lighting systems can be used to turn off lights when people aren’t in the room. The sensors detect motion and turn on when employees are approaching. This prevents companies from keeping lights on constantly, driving up energy consumption. Smart HVAC systems are also valuable tools in helping companies reduce their cooling costs. They can set optimized schedules based on fluctuating temperatures throughout the day. 

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) says there’s still a long way to go in IoT optimization. Many companies lag behind industry opportunities and don’t run smart facilities. Many building controls follow a set of rules that someone creates, rather than having adaptive systems that adjust to changing needs in real time. This is good news for people who are interested in entering this field and supporting sustainable operations. There is plenty of work to be done.   

The Role of IT Professionals in Promoting Sustainability

The IT department will play an essential role in any organization’s sustainability efforts. It’s the IT team that will implement data collection best practices, develop algorithms to analyze the information collected, and use AI and IoT systems to make improvements. As more companies work to be more sustainable, demand for IT support staff will grow. 

As you pursue your computer science education, you might decide to focus on a specialized set of skills to better meet the needs of employers. Not only will this make you more hirable, but it will allow you to follow your passions, whether you are specializing in cybersecurity or database management.

Every company is in a different place with its sustainability efforts and IT infrastructure. Your skills could be just what a company needs to move forward. 

Education and Skills Requirements for a Career in Sustainable Technology

More companies than ever before are now looking to invest in sustainability. This creates career opportunities for technology professionals who can use data, AI, and IoT systems to support their organizations. Experts estimate there will be an increase in employment for MS in Computer Science graduates. This means the future is bright for computer science students

If you’re interested in computer science education, you can pursue a degree that helps you hone valuable skills. You will learn how to handle large swaths of data and use analytical skills to present it cleanly. You can sharpen your programming skills to develop apps and APIs. 

A bachelor’s or master’s in computer science can help you break into this field, but your skills will help you stand out. You can help companies work toward brighter, more sustainable futures.