IT’s role in moving the organisation towards a circular economy
IT’s role in moving the organisation towards a circular economy CIO
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The Role of IT in Moving Organizations Towards a Circular Economy
The Concept of the Circular Economy
The concept of the circular economy has gained significant attention in recent years as the world continues to grapple with environmental issues. Currently, we exist in what’s known as a linear economy, where finite resources are extracted to make products that are used and then thrown away. In contrast, the circular economy is a system based on the regeneration of materials or products, especially as a means of continuing production in a sustainable or environmentally friendly way.
According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a leading voice in the circular community, the circular economy can contribute towards tackling the 45% of global greenhouse gas emissions that cannot be resolved by transitioning to renewable energy alone.
The Importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This shift to a circular economy is being driven not only by consumers making ethically-driven purchasing decisions but also because organizations are facing increasing pressure from governments to reach sustainability milestones. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations provide a framework for organizations to align their efforts towards achieving a sustainable future.
The Role of CIOs in Achieving Circularity
IT is playing an increasingly important role in helping organizations to reach these goals. As businesses incorporate circular economy principles into their IT procurement processes, CIOs are being called upon to minimize the environmental impact of their existing and new infrastructure and to ensure that sustainable technology is deployed aggressively.
According to analyst house IDC, environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) performance will be viewed as a top three decision factor for IT equipment purchases by 2026. IDC also expects that this increasing attention to the importance of sustainability will increase demand for used IT equipment.
Implementing Circular Economy Strategies
Accountability is key for IT teams looking to improve their equipment usage metrics and reduce the amount of e-waste generated by their organization. A circular economy strategy must include visibility across the entire product lifecycle, from product lifecycle management to supply chain sourcing and beyond.
For example, IT teams must consider the whole life cycle of a product or service – from the extraction of raw materials to manufacturing, distribution, use, and disposal. This allows organizations to better understand the environmental costs associated with their technology stack, highlighting areas in a product’s lifecycle that are particularly resource intensive or polluting.
Lifecycle management can also help businesses reduce the amount of e-waste they generate by encouraging more responsible disposal at end of life. Organizations should place emphasis on repair, refurbishment, and remanufacturing, while ensuring they are buying new technology from a manufacturer whose sustainability goals align with their own when it comes to how products are designed, manufactured, used and recovered.
Not only can this approach bring organizations closer to sustainability targets, but IDC research shows that incorporating circularity can help to improve brand reputation by 45% and to improve both operational efficiency and costs by 50%.
Measuring and Monitoring Progress
To ensure they are on track, IT teams helping their organization to embark on a journey to circularity also need to ensure the success of the transition and must ensure they are equipped with the tools necessary for measuring, monitoring and communicating their progress.
These tools can help companies to track their efforts against sustainability goals, achieve visibility into end-to-end processes, and manage their compliance with government sustainability regulations.
HP’s Contribution to Circular Economy
HP, which as a company is driving towards a circular economy, can help organizations keep on top of their sustainability goals. The company now uses 100% renewable electricity to power the final assembly of over 95% of its PC and display products worldwide. HP’s Device Recovery Service ensures end-of-use devices are securely collected, sanitized, and restored or responsibly recycled.
Learn more about HP Sustainable Impact. To find out how HP’s Managed Print Services provides certified carbon neutral printing, click here.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The article discusses the concept of the circular economy, which is closely related to responsible consumption and production (SDG 12). It also mentions the circular economy’s potential to contribute to tackling global greenhouse gas emissions (SDG 13) and emphasizes the importance of reducing environmental impact and e-waste generation (related to SDG 15).
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
- SDG 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
The article highlights the need for sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (target 12.2), integration of climate change measures into policies (target 13.2), and taking action to reduce environmental degradation and protect biodiversity (target 15.5).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Percentage of renewable energy used in the final assembly of IT products
- Amount of e-waste generated and responsibly disposed of
- Improvement in brand reputation percentage
- Operational efficiency and cost improvement percentage
The article mentions the use of 100% renewable electricity in the final assembly of HP’s PC and display products, indicating progress towards target 12.2. It also discusses the importance of reducing e-waste generation and improving responsible disposal, which can be measured to track progress towards target 15.5. The improvement in brand reputation and operational efficiency, as mentioned in the article, can serve as indicators of progress towards the targets.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. | – Percentage of renewable energy used in the final assembly of IT products – Amount of e-waste generated and responsibly disposed of |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | – Percentage of renewable energy used in the final assembly of IT products |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. | – Amount of e-waste generated and responsibly disposed of |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: cio.com
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