A sustainable world for a better tomorrow

Whenever I'm asked what people should invest in, the obvious answer is our future. But what exactly does this mean today?

Every generation before this has invested in their future, and that has often been tied to growing personal wealth, improving quality of life, and achieving peace and wellbeing.

When I was younger, my parents wanted me to find a career that did not involve vagaries of the market or the risk of entrepreneurship. They were worried that I would not be able to afford a comfortable life. I completely understand where they were coming from because their life experiences shaped their work ethic and general outlook.

I deviate from their worldview. When it comes to investing in the future, the most significant risk is standing on the sidelines. When I think about the future, I firmly believe that we must strive to leave our next generation with a more inclusive, sustainable, and safer world than we inherited. This mandate rings more accurate today. As the world is in the throes of a climate emergency and we see more divisions in society, the question about investing in the future is an even more urgent one.?

The pandemic brought about dramatic shifts in the way we live, work, produce, and consume, but it also led to a collective moment of reflection. As a society, we started to realize how much our daily activities, from business to consumption, are impacting our environment. As a result, the social divide between the haves and have nots begins to widen.

This inflection point has signaled a strong response for businesses to exercise their leadership and do more for society. We need to fast-track the provision of access and equitable opportunities for all while ensuring sustainability and solving social disparities by being more inclusive.

It might seem like a tall order, but businesses must drive as they have the leadership, the vision, and the collective power of the ecosystems, relationships, and networks to make a difference.?

Having good business practices can be a game-changer. It can drive sustainability while having a profound economic impact. Creating a more inclusive workplace will also advance economies. McKinsey's?research?suggests that the Asia Pacific region could add $4.5 trillion to their collective annual GDP by 2025 if women's equality is addressed.

Our youth – Generation Z (Gen Z) are the ones that will feel the impact of our business practices the most in the future. And they are demanding we do better. According to a recent?study, the UN Sustainable Development Goals that matter most to APAC's Gen Zers are 'reducing inequality' and 'climate action.'

As Gen Z enters the workforce, these are the demands they expect from potential employers. In addition, our people managers are observing this generation's interest in how our business is driving positive change for society.?

I always believe we can drive and enable change through the power of technology, data, and science. According to an?Accenture study, companies that embrace technology and sustainability are 2.5 times more likely to be tomorrow's leaders. Dell Technologies is committed to taking action on climate change to protect the future health of our planet and the people we serve. It's why we've established clear goals to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – across our facilities, our operations, our supply chain, and in the energy intensity of our products by the year 2030 and committed to reach net-zero GHG emissions across Scopes 1, 2 and 3 by 2050.??

Last year, we successfully implemented the largest on-site solar panel installation at our Penang facility in Malaysia. One of the many ways we are using technology as a catalyst for a more sustainable future.?

I am proud of our progress. I believe that with innovation, increased adoption of renewable energy, and climate science, we could increase the rate at which the world makes the net-zero transition.

Across our business, we are making significant progress in accelerating the circular economy, cultivating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and transforming lives while upholding ethics and privacy. Our efforts align with our environmental, social governance (ESG) strategy and?Progress Made Real social impact plan and 2030 goals.

The Skills Accelerator program to upskill professionals in the workforce or the work with Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef to save the world's largest reef leveraging technology are some of the initiatives.?

Driving positive social impact today is non-negotiable, and we must go above and beyond to help societies become more inclusive and resilient. When we invest in this, we invest in the future, communities prosper, economies thrive, and the next generation leads with purpose.

Our children's future depends on the cumulative actions we do today. I leave you with my reflection on my commitment to be part of the solution:

• Leave a world where we do not have to worry about the environment by creating a sustainable society
• Enable the young to develop skillsets for the future
• Build a society that taps on the power of technology to advance sustainability.?

We need to do it today and now.?