CFOs Navigate ESG Reporting Challenges

Companies are increasingly integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into their operations due to stakeholder pressure and societal expectations. However, aligning IT strategies with sustainability goals can be challenging, as technologies like AI and legacy systems contribute to carbon emissions. Nicolas Bragard, CIO at Esker, emphasizes the importance of ensuring IT strategies support sustainability by optimizing infrastructure and tools to reduce energy consumption and waste. Esker has adopted several sustainability-focused practices, such as extending the lifespan of computing devices and mobile phones, promoting repairability, and implementing a second-life program for donating used devices. The company also prioritizes eco-friendly vendors and hosts new customers on Microsoft Azure, a cloud service powered by renewable energy. To balance tech and ESG strategies, Esker and other companies are considering the environmental impact of AI-driven solutions and prioritizing energy-efficient hardware and sustainable data center solutions. The role of CIOs in ESG is becoming more critical, as they must integrate sustainability into their organizations operations and decision-making processes. Overall, there is a growing emphasis on ESG disclosures and priorities, as stakeholders recognize the importance of managing ESG risks and opportunities for long-term business value. CIOs play a pivotal role in driving ESG efforts and ensuring that IT strategies align with sustainability goals.

Source: informationweek.com
Published on 2024-09-25