Leverage AI to?Build Greener Bottom Lines?

In the race towards achieving science-based targets (SBTs) for greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, business executives are facing a stark reality. Many companies are falling short of their near-term milestones, leaving a significant gap between their current sustainability efforts and the ambitious goals they have set. If drastic measures aren't taken, these organizations risk defaulting on their public sustainability commitments, inviting potential public scrutiny and alienating environmentally conscious customers.?

Traditionally, evaluating a company's sustainability performance involved periodic assessments, often relying on external sustainability ratings from software such as?EcoVadis. These assessments provided a rear-view look at a company's sustainability by identifying potential risks. However, the focus is now shifting towards forward-looking evaluations. Executives and sustainability leaders want to know a company's plans for reducing GHG emissions, the number of sustainability projects in their pipeline, the emissions reductions associated with these projects, and the progress made so far. These seemingly straightforward questions are posing challenges for teams at many global multinationals today.?

The transition from merely reporting GHG emissions inventory to taking concrete actions to reduce emissions is already in motion. This shift relies on harnessing new sustainability data that touches every aspect of a company's operations and supply chain. While this data offers tremendous potential, it can also be overwhelming for teams to navigate.?

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Answer More Impactful Questions?

Once the initial questions are addressed, the next crucial inquiry becomes: Which sustainability projects should we prioritize? This question, seemingly simple, has multifaceted answers that depend on a company's strategy. On one end of the spectrum, some leaders view sustainability solely as an added cost and allocate budgets to projects that yield the most significant GHG emissions reductions. However, this cost-driven approach may erode profitability and strain the company's business model, potentially leaving them short of the resources required to meet their SBTs and compete in the market.?

Savvy executives are now refining their approach, asking teams: Which sustainability projects should we undertake first, and in what order, to build a greener bottom line? Some sustainability initiatives can simultaneously benefit the environment and boost profits. Moreover, the sequence in which projects are implemented can significantly impact individual project success and the effectiveness of the overall GHG emissions reduction plan. ?

Large multinational corporations often have 10 sustainability projects underway when they need 10,000. Teams want and are willing to work on more sustainability projects, but they often struggle to identify where to begin, primarily because many employees lack training in sustainability. Since companies are in the business of making money, not learning new environmental science, sustainability is understandably under resourced. ?

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Pinpoint the Right Project at Right Time?

This is where AI software apps like OrbAid come into play, igniting practical, daily green actions within organizations. From simple tasks like checking for leaks in bathroom sinks, which can save a significant amount of water and money, to more complex projects, software can quickly calculate operational and environmental impact while AI generates ongoing ideas. This empowers employees to prioritize the most profitable and actionable sustainability projects.?

Beyond helping companies achieve their sustainability goals, sustainability project software infused with AI can have a ripple effect. It can aid in complying with government regulations, meeting customer demands for environmentally responsible products and services, and inspiring employees to take more proactive steps toward sustainability. In a world desperate for climate action, the infusion of fresh and ongoing project ideas accelerates timelines. As employees interact with sustainability software apps, AI can refine recommendations, celebrate their individual successes and nurture green champions within the organization.?

Business leaders are at a crossroads—view expanding sustainability requirements and the accompanying workload as added costs or harness the untapped potential of this wealth of new data to forge greener bottom lines. AI software applications can not only help facilitate sustainability efforts but also transform them into profitable endeavors. By doing so, they enable leaders to fulfill their company’s SBTs while securing greater employee and customer support. The time has come to utilize AI as a powerful tool in the quest to build greener bottom lines, and in doing so, chart a course toward a more sustainable world.?