What are the emerging trends and standards for IT sustainability reporting?

1 Why IT sustainability reporting matters

IT sustainability reporting is not only a matter of compliance or corporate social responsibility, but also a strategic tool that can help you gain a competitive edge, improve your performance, and create value for your business and society. Through reporting on your IT sustainability, you can demonstrate your commitment to ethical and responsible IT practices, identify and manage ESG risks and opportunities, optimize IT resource efficiency and reduce your carbon footprint, enhance your innovation and differentiation potential, and attract and retain talent, customers, and investors who care about sustainability.

2 What are the key IT sustainability indicators

When measuring and reporting on IT sustainability performance, IT sustainability indicators are the metrics to consider. These indicators can cover various aspects of IT activities and products, such as energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, waste management, data privacy, cybersecurity, digital inclusion, and social impact. IT energy intensity, which is the ratio of IT energy consumption to IT output or value added, is one key indicator. Additionally, IT carbon intensity, which is the ratio of IT greenhouse gas emissions to IT output or value added, is another. IT circularity, which is the degree to which IT materials and components are reused, recycled, or recovered, is also important. Furthermore, IT security, which is the level of protection and resilience of IT systems and data against cyber threats, and IT accessibility, which is the extent to which IT products and services are available and usable by diverse and disadvantaged groups, should be taken into account. Lastly, IT social value, which is the positive outcomes and impacts of IT products and services on society and the environment, is a key indicator.

3 How to choose the right IT sustainability framework

IT sustainability frameworks are the guidelines and standards that help you define, measure, and report on your IT sustainability performance. These frameworks provide a common language, a consistent methodology, and a credible benchmark for your IT sustainability reporting. There are various IT sustainability frameworks available, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), and the IT for Sustainability (ITfS) Initiative. You should choose the framework that best suits your needs, goals, and stakeholders, or you can use more than one framework or adapt them to your specific context and priorities.

4 How to collect and analyze your IT sustainability data

In order to measure and report on your IT sustainability performance, you need to collect IT sustainability data from various sources, such as IT systems, devices, and applications, IT suppliers and partners, IT customers and users, and IT policies and processes. To do this, you should define your IT sustainability scope and boundaries, establish your IT sustainability baseline and targets, implement your IT sustainability data collection and management system, and conduct your IT sustainability data analysis and reporting. This includes using the right tools and methods to gather, store, validate, and process your IT sustainability data, as well as the techniques and formats to interpret, visualize, and communicate your IT sustainability data.

5 How to improve your IT sustainability performance

IT sustainability reporting is not an end in itself, but rather a means to an end: improving your IT sustainability performance. By reporting on your IT sustainability, you can identify your strengths and weaknesses, risks and opportunities, and gaps and potentials. This information can then be used to review and update your IT strategy and governance, enhance your IT innovation and transformation, and engage and collaborate with your IT stakeholders. You can leverage your IT capabilities and resources to create new and better IT products and services that address the sustainability challenges and needs of your business and society. Additionally, you can involve and communicate with your IT employees, suppliers, partners, customers, and users, and other relevant groups, to share your IT sustainability vision, goals, and performance, and to solicit their feedback, input, and support.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?