Last week the Securities and Exchange Commission ruled for the first time that public companies must alert investors of any serious risks that their businesses may face due to global warming. Environmental issues have been among the threats that the SEC has required companies to disclose, but this is the first time that global warming specifically has been called out. This is just the latest indicator that “green” is becoming a standard and necessary consideration in business practice. Business leaders across industries proactively are analyzing the impact of their activities, developing strategies aimed at improving efficiency, engaging their employees in the process and reporting the results to their various constituencies.
Digital technology is a key enabler for businesses in their quest for sustainability. Digital dashboards aggregate enterprise data and compare it to standards set by leaders in their industry and, increasingly, by regulatory authorities. Business information systems analyze the information and focus decision makers on optimizing consumption of resources like water, paper and power. Online communities encourage employees to participate in making their areas more efficient and share tips. Social networking media technologies enable companies to share their results with broad constituencies and invite discussion. New C level positions are being created to oversee this process. In addition to the societal benefits they are generating through investment in sustainability projects, these executives report very positive impacts to their bottom line.
Digital technologies and services are powerful tools for companies exploring sustainability and engaging in these practices. In the area of paper consumption alone digital communications can reduce or eliminate paper by helping companies migrate to online investor and corporate responsibility reports, using electronic forms, creating online communities to support customers, partners and developers, and shifting to “eCirculars” and web-based information instead of printed materials distributed by the US Mail.
Businesses who pursue digitally based sustainability strategies succeed in achieving the dual goals of: “adopting business strategies and activities that meet the needs of the enterprise and its stakeholders today while protecting, sustaining and enhancing the human and natural resources that will be needed in the future.” (World Commission on Environment and Development)
See the New York Times editorial 01.31.10 about the SEC ruling.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 11:19 am and is filed under Green/Clean Technology, SolutionSet, Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.