{"id":22741,"date":"2021-04-14T08:10:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-14T08:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.experfy.com\/blog\/cloud-enabler-for-sustainability\/"},"modified":"2023-08-26T11:41:41","modified_gmt":"2023-08-26T11:41:41","slug":"cloud-enabler-for-sustainability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.experfy.com\/blog\/bigdata-cloud\/cloud-enabler-for-sustainability\/","title":{"rendered":"Cloud As An Enabler For Sustainability"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Sustainability<\/strong> has been a buzzword and rightfully so owing to the accelerated global climate crisis. Corporations worldwide acknowledge the urgent need to act on climate change and have even pledged to set climate targets. <\/p>\n

According to Gartner, Sustainability is defined as \u201cAn objective that guides decision making by incorporating economic, social & environmental impacts.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Sustainability is pervading all facets of our lives, and it has undoubtedly pervaded the digital technology industry as well.<\/strong> No doubt, Digital transformation is disruptive and innovative, but is it truly sustainable? Well, I would say there are two sides to the coin here.<\/em> <\/p>\n

On the one hand, we can contest that software technologies are intelligent solutions built to support the environment. For example, Microsoft created an AI tool called AI for Earth Initiative<\/strong> to assist environmental organizations. Alternatively, it is also recorded<\/a> that our digital technology usage is currently responsible for 4% of global CO2 emissions. With more and more digital use, the number is only going to increase. So, where does the solution lie?<\/strong> How can Cloud help with Sustainability?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The solution lies in utilizing Technology to deliver sustainable solutions and to incorporate environmental-friendly IT practices.<\/strong> To make ethical choices regarding design and Technology that invariably contribute to the internet\u2019s broader ecological impact. My perspective – Cloud computing truly is the silver lining, or should we say the \u2018green lining\u2019 here. <\/strong>There needs to be a paradigm shift in the organization\u2019s internal structure to achieve sustainability goals by harnessing cloud computing. <\/p>\n

In this article, I intend to highlight cloud computing efficacy in driving sustainability goals.  <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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4 Primary ways Cloud helps with Sustainability<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Cloud helps with Sustainability in 4 primary ways.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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1. Sustainable Platform for Infrastructure, Application, and Data <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Microsoft and WSP USA conducted a study <\/a>wherein it was discovered that Microsoft cloud computing was 93% more energy efficient.<\/strong> Additionally, it was noted that the Microsoft cloud platform had 98% lower carbon emissions than on-premises data centers. This comprehensive study does highlight the efficiency of cloud infrastructure in maintaining Sustainability and has numerous environmental benefits. A <\/strong>report<\/a> published by Accenture strategy also stated that \u201cmigrations to the public cloud can reduce CO2 emissions by 59 million tons per year which equates to taking 22 million cars off the road\u201d<\/strong>. Such statistical data isn\u2019t just hyperbole but a reality. <\/p>\n

Let me take you through the different ways the cloud infrastructure poses a sustainable option<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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1a. Green Datacenters<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Typically, on-premises data centers consume an unreasonable amount of energy as you require a constant power supply, a cooling system to avoid overheating, etc. Additionally, server underutilization also results in energy waste as servers are left unused to build up more e-waste<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

Furthermore, when an equipment\u2019s lifecycle ends, it too adds to the e-waste<\/strong>. For example, according to the US Department of Energy, US data centers account for 2%-3% of the overall electricity consumption and carbon emission. Hence, migrating to the Cloud significantly reduces these staggering energy costs and wastes. This is powered by better utilization of servers, power scaling, and fewer hardware requirements than on-premises datacenters.<\/p>

Additionally, Public cloud providers can deploy \u2018green data centers\u2019 by utilizing other energy sources.<\/strong> For example, Microsoft\u2019s data centers use renewable energies like wind, solar, and hydroelectricity.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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1b. Dematerialization<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Migrating to the Cloud will replace high carbon-emitting machines with virtual equivalents. Such a replacement ensures to reduce the company\u2019s carbon footprint significantly. For example, the Cloud enables seamless virtual services like video streaming rather than utilizing heavy hardware equipment that consumes more energy. Elimination of significant physical hardware from the day-to-day operations ensures dematerialization and reduces cost, waste, effort, and environmental impact.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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2. Rapid Innovation for Sustainability centric solutions<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Corporations have been leveraging technologies to create more sustainable businesses while ensuring to minimize their environmental impact.\u00a0New innovations and technologies using cloud computing infrastructure have powered sustainability goals.<\/strong>\u00a0For example, virtual meeting applications have been one of the most notable cloud-powered innovations so far. Companies can now have periodical employee meetings online, saving high costs, energies and time. This became the most valuable sustainable Innovation even during the COVID-19 pandemic, wherein business<\/a> continuity was ensured seamlessly. Additionally, Machine Learning and cloud infrastructure are being utilized in shopping malls, airports, commercial buildings, etc., to reduce their overall energy consumption.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In a research<\/a> conducted by Microsoft, it was noted that the Cloud could help to provide scalable technological solutions such as smart grid, intelligent buildings, etc., to ICT sectors. Moreover, significant enterprises are harnessing the power of the Cloud to find sustainable solutions as well.<\/strong> Take, for example, the case of AGL<\/a>. AGL, one of Australia\u2019s leading energy companies, utilized Microsoft\u2019s Azure cloud platform to manage solar batteries remotely. The company was able to derive a sustainable solution with the help of cloud computing infrastructure efficiently. Another use case of cloud innovation is Ecolab<\/a>, wherein Microsoft helped them address the world\u2019s water conservation challenges. Additionally, Microsoft launched Azure FarmBeats<\/a>, a precision farming system that enables farmers to practice data-driven agriculture. The system is so robust that it creates a farm map through satellite imagery and helps farmers monitor different parameters such as nitrogen and oxygen levels, soil moisture and temperature, etc. <\/p>\n

These use cases certainly highlight that the cloud infrastructure isn\u2019t just inherently a sustainable solution but also an infrastructure that powers rapid Innovation for sustainability-centric solutions. <\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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3. Software as a Service (SaaS) Solutions <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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SaaS has transformed the way we work, communicate, and share data. With Sustainability, the reporting requirements have become crucial and complex. As such, it has become essential to have secure, accessible, and accurate data. SaaS platform essentially provides a cloud application solution that drives business operations by managing and automating key activities. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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4. Innovation and Investment from Hyperscalers<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Hyperscalers can invest vast amounts of money in Innovation for energy-efficient Datacenters and Technology due to an increase in cloud consumption and the number of cloud users. For example, Microsoft is investing in building datacenters based on new leading-edge designs (e.g., Microsoft has created a data center underwater<\/a>) to improve the average PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness). Such investments in green infrastructures will significantly reduce the per-user footprint when cloud business applications are being used. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Sustainability benefits of Cloud from different CXO\u2019s perspective<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Sustainability initiatives are indeed being harnessed across all levels of hierarchy, from CEOs to CFOs and CIOs.<\/strong> There has been significant pressure from customers and stakeholders to take a stand on Sustainability as well truly. <\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Hence, by embracing the power of the Cloud, CXO\u2019s can efficiently harness growth and Innovation. Let me tell you how:<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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1. CEO Perspective<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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According to a report<\/a> published by Accenture strategy, it was noted that 21% of the CEOs and CXO\u2019s acknowledged the importance of embedding sustainability goals into their corporate strategy. However, less than half were able to integrate it into their business operations<\/strong>. Additionally, according to the report, CEOs believed that there could be real business opportunities (like faster Innovation and growth) from embracing UN Sustainability goals. As customers, employees, and other stakeholders call for the new version of responsible leadership; Sustainability is most certainly redefining leaders\u2019 roles today. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Incorporating sustainable goals doesn\u2019t just ensure a competitive advantage but also allows companies to fight against climate change proactively.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Indeed the uncertainties bought by the pandemic have halted and distracted the CEO\u2019s sustainable efforts. However, the accelerated migration to the sustainable Cloud has also invariably solved this very problem. Leaders can incorporate this new version of responsible leadership with the Cloud in these ways:<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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1a. Establish a sustainable ecosystem<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Leaders of technology-driven businesses or other businesses can drive sustainable actions by incorporating Cloud computing technologies. Achieving sustainability goals doesn\u2019t happen in a vacuum but requires bringing together different technologists, employees, and stakeholders to realize the importance of leveraging sustainable options into operations<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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1b. Aligning Sustainability with profit mindset<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The goal is not to make profits from Sustainability but rather to make profits sustainably<\/strong>. CEOs must align Sustainability with profits, business operations, investments, Innovation, and growth. By embracing the power of the sustainable Cloud, they can quickly alleviate the pressures to implement Global Goals and concentrate on strategizing for business success. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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2. CFO Perspective<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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CFO\u2019s have always viewed non-financial metrics like Sustainability as a cost rather than a source of value. <\/strong>This can be owed to the language barrier between the CFO\u2019s and Sustainability colleagues, as rightfully pointed by a Harvard Business Review<\/a> study. CFO\u2019s understanding and expertise lie in ROI and EBIT, whereas Sustainability officers\u2019 metrics lie in mitigating carbon emissions, water consumption, etc. Hence, CFO\u2019s fail to understand the value of investing in sustainability goals truly. However, according to the same research done by Harvard Business Review<\/a>, it was noted that \u201cNon-financial metrics such as carbon emissions can reveal hundreds of millions of dollars in sustainability-related savings and growth.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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a.) <\/em>Sustainability investments have tangible and intangible benefits, and CFO\u2019s must realize this now more than ever. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

b.) <\/em>To maximize the value from Sustainability initiatives, a model like the \u201c<\/em><\/strong>The ROSI (Return on Sustainability Investment) analytical model<\/em><\/a> is a great starting point. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

c.) <\/em>Another important model is CISL\u2019s \u201cNet Zero Framework for Business\u201d \u2013 designed for those companies tasked with delivering net zero in a business context and influencing this ambition\u2019s societal transition. By drawing on a range of leading frameworks and CISL\u2019s insights, it provides a \u2018one-stop-shop\u2019 for the essential tasks that need to be set in place to align with net-zero.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Source: Targeting Net Zero \u2013 framework \u2014 Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership<\/a><\/p>\n

Let us now understand how the Cloud can make a business case for CFOs<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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2a. Paradigm shift from CAPEX to OpEx for IT Infrastructures and Operations<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Allows CFO to use different Financial Engineering to drive the operations in the core business stream instead of worrying about huge cash flow upfront.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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2b. Cost Reduction on IT Systems, Operations<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In the Smart 2020<\/a> report, it was estimated that technology-enabled energy efficiency would result in a total of $947 billion worth of total cost savings. Thus, migrating to the Cloud ensures significant cost savings for CFO\u2019s, which can then be used for other revenue-generating projects. Cloud computing does not just reduce hardware expenditure but also reduces the overall capital and operational costs. This is huge as CFO\u2019s can streamline and manage these cost savings for better Innovation, scalability, and growth. The Cloud also allows CXO\u2019s to shift their outlook to think \u2018green,\u2019 to contribute to something larger than just their companies.<\/strong> It poses an opportunity to participate in the fight against climate change without considering mitigating costs or analyzing risks. This can be done by choosing an economic platform like the Cloud, which ensures an overall reduction in total costs and carbon emissions. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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2.c Cost saving from the reduction in Carbon footprint offset expense<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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By migrating to the Cloud, CFO\u2019s can quickly mitigate and avoid carbon footprint expenses (Expenses like emission taxes, penalties for non-compliance, etc.) that might be incurred later on.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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2d. Faster Value creation with Business Agility<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Cloud enables CFO\u2019s to move on from immediate financial imperatives to engage in better value creation.<\/strong> By incorporating sustainability goals into their business operations through the Cloud, CFO\u2019s can build a better Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) profile. This can help to build stronger relationships with customers, shareholders, and broader stakeholders. It\u2019s a common misconception that engaging in such corporate social responsibility initiatives adds no monetary value. However, it does enhance the company\u2019s reputation and goodwill while ensuring to not contribute to the climate crisis. Hence, CFO\u2019s should look beyond immediate short-term financial investments to long-term sustainable investments to better focus on its financial and non-financial performances.  <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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3. CIO and CTO Perspective<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In addition to standard Cloud Economics and business agility benefits of Cloud adoption, the Sustainability benefits of Cloud help CIO and CTO with:<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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