What role does IT play in sustainability efforts?

This is where cloud computing comes into play as traditional server rooms are reduced or eliminated in favor of highly efficient virtual cloud infrastructure

IT plays a vital role in sustainability efforts by implementing energy-efficient technologies, promoting virtualization, enabling remote work, managing e-waste, supporting digital transformation, and integrating renewable energy sources, among other initiatives.

IT can have a positive impact by leading the way.  Defining key measurables and providing data-driven insight to other business units will create synergy and alignment across the company.  Acting responsibly within areas IT has total control.  Partnering with other departments to collaborate on more efficient processes with better sustainability outcomes.  Use technology where it makes sense for this purpose.

Your organization may produce products/services from running your own data centers, colocation or using public multi-cloud vendors.  Ensure you and your data center or cloud provides have a strong commitment to sustainability goals that are transparent (and published).   In addition, your office space (your own or leased) should be included in the sustainability goal.   You should do the same for vendors who sell you desktop/laptop equipment, network equipment and SaaS providers who delivery application as a service from their own data centers or over the cloud.

IT is typically part of any industry having a notable impact on sustainability, though sustainability is often an afterthought if not considered an unnecessary burden in the first place. However, oftentimes sustainability goes hand in hand with reducing costs, streamlining processes, and mitigating risks.