Sustainability and IT:Sustainability and IT:Challenges and OpportunitiesChallenges and Opportunities

A Personal PerspectiveA Personal Perspective

Chris PreistChris Preistchris@deep-mountain.co.ukchris@deep-mountain.co.uk

OverviewOverview

Science, Economics and Legislation: Science, Economics and Legislation: Sustainability as a Business DriverSustainability as a Business Driver

Carbon Footprinting and LCA: Carbon Footprinting and LCA:

The need for, and perils of, QuantificationThe need for, and perils of, Quantification Action Research:Action Research:

Skilful Means, Care of the SoulSkilful Means, Care of the Soul

The big constraints….The big constraints….

Demand Supply

…environmental issues aren't a fad, climate change isn't just an emergency; like globalisation it is a force that will shape and reshape the business landscape for decades

to come.

(Thomas A. Stewart, editor of the Harvard Business Review)

’’‘‘

Driving Business….?Driving Business….?

Legislative Standards Legislative Standards (EuP directive)(EuP directive) Customer Demand Customer Demand (EnergyStar)(EnergyStar) Price Signals Price Signals (Energy prices)(Energy prices) Market-based policy Market-based policy (Cap-and-Trade)(Cap-and-Trade) Reputational Reputational (Carbon (Carbon

Disclosure)Disclosure) Governmental Dialog Governmental Dialog (IT & EE agenda)(IT & EE agenda) Staff/Exec Engagement Staff/Exec Engagement (Murdoch)(Murdoch)

A relatively weak, but non-zero, driver.A relatively weak, but non-zero, driver.

Eco-Efficiency Eco-Efficiency

VsVs

Sustainable TransformationSustainable Transformation

QuantificationQuantification

A guess should at least be educated….A guess should at least be educated….

LCA and Carbon footprinting are valuable LCA and Carbon footprinting are valuable tools for looking at risks and opportunities tools for looking at risks and opportunities

in Business Models.in Business Models.

The Laptop BusinessThe Laptop Business

Pressure for low-carbon ITPressure for low-carbon IT Significantly improved efficiencySignificantly improved efficiency LCA shows that in a modern laptop, two LCA shows that in a modern laptop, two

factors dominate;factors dominate; Pattern of UsagePattern of Usage Embodied EnergyEmbodied Energy

This has strategic consequences on the This has strategic consequences on the business model.business model.

9 April 20, 2023

Commercial PrintCommercial PrintCommercial PrintCommercial Print

Paper: 53 Trillion A4 Pages World Wide in 2010 Directories

Newspapers

Magazines Books

Catalogues Directories

Other Marketing

OfficePrinting

Packaging

Information

Other

•1.4 million pages per second

•Many sectors are wasteful:

•Newspapers < 20% unsold

•Magazines < 50% unsold

•Books < 30% unsold

•At least 40 million tonnes of unnecessary GHG emissions by Newspapers, Magazines and Books alone. 1.3 tonnes per second

The Fallacy of Misplaced The Fallacy of Misplaced ConcretenessConcreteness

(Paul Shabajee)(Paul Shabajee)

Uncertainty in LCAs is significant –Uncertainty in LCAs is significant –

- ‘Average’ data- ‘Average’ data

- Variation in user behaviour- Variation in user behaviour

Expose the workings behind the headlinesExpose the workings behind the headlines

The Systemic Impact of ITThe Systemic Impact of IT

An IT solution can change behaviour, An IT solution can change behaviour, practice and even societal organisation.practice and even societal organisation.

E.g Digital PhotographyE.g Digital Photography

Just because it is difficult to consider, it Just because it is difficult to consider, it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try….doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try….

Action ResearchAction Research

Reflective awareness ofReflective awareness of

one’s ‘inner life’one’s ‘inner life’

and the way one engages withand the way one engages with

the ‘world around us’.the ‘world around us’.

Skilful MeansSkilful Means

Appropriate ‘stories’Appropriate ‘stories’

Building a subcultureBuilding a subculture

Care of the SoulCare of the Soul

Denial, Displacement, Despair, DepressionDenial, Displacement, Despair, DepressionUrgency, Ambition, Drive, BurnoutUrgency, Ambition, Drive, Burnout

Finding ‘space’ from which action can Finding ‘space’ from which action can emergeemerge

Connecting with a supportive communityConnecting with a supportive community

SummarySummary

Understanding ‘the big picture’ and the Understanding ‘the big picture’ and the constraints within which we must live.constraints within which we must live.

Rigorous analysis of the systems we Rigorous analysis of the systems we attempt to transform – but with openness attempt to transform – but with openness about the limitations.about the limitations.

Finding ways to influence the Finding ways to influence the organisations we are in.organisations we are in.

Carrying the ‘burden’ joyfully.Carrying the ‘burden’ joyfully.