In a revealing look at global sustainability efforts, Kyndryl, the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, has released its second Global Sustainability Barometer study, commissioned by Microsoft and conducted by Ecosystm.
Despite 84% of organizations prioritizing sustainability in their strategies, only 21% effectively leverage technology to minimize environmental impact, signaling a gap between ambition and actionable change.
The study indicates that while 38% of organizations have raised their sustainability goals since last year, the journey from intent to action remains a challenge. Faith Taylor, Kyndryl’s Chief Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability Officer, emphasized the urgency for companies to integrate sustainability deeply within their business frameworks.
“Organizations must move from intent to collective action to drive change,” Taylor stated. “Integrating sustainability into a company’s strategy maximizes the value of people and technology, delivering positive impacts.”
A key insight from the report is the underutilization of data in sustainability planning. While over half of surveyed organizations include sustainability in their reporting, only 19% use data strategically for decision-making. Additionally, although 55% believe AI will be essential for meeting sustainability goals, most initiatives currently focus on monitoring historical data rather than using AI for predictive planning.
Matthew Sekol, Microsoft’s Sustainability Global Black Belt, underscored the transformative potential of integrated data and AI tools. “By combining sustainability data with operational insights, organizations can drive resilience and operational efficiencies,” Sekol noted, advocating for more robust AI integration in sustainability strategies.
To bridge the gap between goals and outcomes, the study suggests that businesses prioritize technology in their strategic planning. Only 38% of organizations use IT to reduce their environmental impact, and even fewer utilize data for sustainability efforts. Integrating technology allows companies to make actionable plans and achieve measurable progress toward their goals. Similarly, companies could expand AI’s role in sustainability, moving beyond monitoring energy to using AI for future forecasting, which can better anticipate and mitigate climate risks.
A cohesive data approach is also recommended to transform sustainability efforts, as many companies struggle with disparate data systems. By centralizing data, organizations can achieve a clearer understanding of their environmental impact and make informed sustainability decisions.
Finally, the study underscores the importance of fostering a culture of responsibility across all levels. CEOs increasingly set sustainability goals, with nearly half of companies now involving Chief Sustainability Officers. Engaging finance and technology teams can further embed sustainability into business priorities and facilitate implementation.
The study also highlights growing concerns about AI’s environmental footprint, with only 35% of organizations addressing the energy consumption of AI. Kyndryl and Microsoft are advancing strategies to optimize AI models, ensuring that innovation aligns with sustainability by minimizing energy use and reducing waste.
Ullrich Loeffler, CEO of Ecosystm, expressed optimism about the rising recognition of sustainability as a strategic imperative. “AI empowers businesses to optimize resource use and reduce waste,” Loeffler said, emphasizing the potential of technology to drive a sustainable, equitable future.
With this study, Kyndryl and Microsoft aim to propel organizations toward impactful, technology-enabled sustainability actions, underscoring the critical role of data and AI in shaping a green future.