The ESG Strategy Needs to Align with the Model of the Business
Dina El Banna, the Sales Excellence Director at Avaya International, says the role of technology in sustainability goes well beyond “green IT”
How does technology contribute to sustainability?
The role of tech in sustainability goes well beyond “green IT” – i.e. hosting applications in the cloud, thereby consuming less electricity with local servers. Leading tech companies are now thinking about how their technologies and sustainability goals can align – they’re asking whether they can bring new game-changing capabilities to their customers and partners to help them meet their own sustainability goals; they’re asking if they can source their own electricity more sustainably, and they’re asking if they can better recycle their own hardware products.
What sort of sustainability efforts does your company practice? Examples: minimal/recyclable packaging, use of recycled material for devices, green energy, low energy consumption, digital products and services, and so on.
Avaya’s 2021 annual Corporate Responsibility Report highlights the positive impacts that the company has made to address global issues. In the report, we looked at challenges such as climate change, equality, community support, responsible consumption, economic development, and more.
We exceeded our 2020 emissions reduction target by reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 65%, along with Scope 3 emissions from business travel by 49% from 2014 levels. And moving forward, we’re committed to setting near-term emissions reduction targets that are in line with climate science and have submitted those targets for review by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Overall, from FY2020 to FY2021, we reduced total emissions by 1.2%, and we are now planning to purchase renewable energy and work with our supply chain to lower emissions further. We also facilitate the return and end-of-life management of devices, batteries, and packaging.
Do we need to look at sustainability beyond the use of “green energy”?
Diversifying our approach to achieve sustainability is the way forward. Besides green energy, there are various initiatives companies can implement and execute to achieve their sustainability goals. For example, by considering product design, we hope our technology can play an essential role in reducing its carbon footprint. Small steps like automating processes can help with reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. It’s all about bridging gaps innovatively to streamline and align environmental, economic, and social needs to meet a sustainable end.
How can companies reduce their carbon footprint? Are there local or regional initiatives that encourage companies to adopt best practices?
Companies need to start by assessing environmental, social, and governance topics that impact the way they work. This is the first step to developing an ESG strategy which is an overview of sustainability goals a company wants to accomplish. Reducing the overall carbon footprint can be one of them. The ESG strategy needs to align with the business model and goals of the company as it will govern and regulate processes and operations. It will also play an important role in raising awareness of climate change mitigation, adaptation, and implementing corporate and national commitments to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.
