Connect with us

Technology

Kyndryl and Microsoft Study: Only 21% of Organizations Globally Recognize Technology’s Role in Advancing Their Broader Sustainability Goals

Published

2 weeks ago

on

Data and AI are becoming powerful catalysts for driving action and predicting future risks

NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Kyndryl (NYSE: KD), the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, released the second Global Sustainability Barometer study, commissioned by Microsoft. The study, conducted by Ecosystm, shows that while 84% of organizations place a high strategic importance on achieving sustainability goals, only 21% use technology to reduce their environmental footprint and shape their overall sustainability strategy.

Since last year, 38% of organizations have increased their sustainability goals and program execution – demonstrating progress as the world works toward a green future.

“As the world faces increasing climate-related challenges, businesses are under pressure to act decisively and place sustainability at the forefront – and this year’s Global Sustainability Barometer study highlights that organizations must move from intent to collective action to drive change,” said Faith Taylor, Chief Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability Officer at Kyndryl. “By integrating sustainability into a company’s business strategy, processes and systems, organizations can maximize the value of their people and technology to achieve internal goals and deliver positive impact.”

The study shows that leaders are increasingly recognizing the benefits of sustainability initiatives for their organizations, with specific areas where improvements can be made. By embedding technology into sustainability strategies, organizations can turn abstract goals into actionable, data-driven plans.

The study highlights the following areas of opportunity:

Only 21% of organizations globally recognize technology’s dual role in reducing their company’s carbon footprints and advancing broader sustainability goals.While 54% of businesses say sustainability goals and initiatives are incorporated into existing reporting processes, only 19% fully use data for strategic planning and decision-making.55% believe artificial intelligence (AI) will significantly impact their sustainability goals, but 62% of organizations limit initiatives to analyzing historical data for monitoring and reporting.

Matthew Sekol, a Sustainability Global Black Belt at Microsoft, added, “Companies can gain the insights needed to deliver on their commitments and drive resilience by integrating sustainability data with operational and financial data, and using traditional data analytics and robust AI tooling to reshape operational efficiencies and foster sustainable innovations.”

Taking action to advance sustainability strategies

The study’s detailed analysis and deep insights can enable organizations to enhance their sustainability efforts. To fully realize an organization’s potential, consider the following guiding principles:

Technology must be core to strategic planning. 38% leverage IT to reduce their own organization’s environmental impact while 17% say data and technology is helping achieve sustainability goals. In the next year, companies should consider integrating technology into sustainability strategies to turn abstract goals into actionable plans.Recast the role of AI. 62% of organizations use AI to monitor energy use and emissions, but only 37% use predictive AI to forecast energy needs based on current trends and patterns. Integrating AI-powered scenario planning and climate risk mitigation allows organizations to adopt a holistic approach to environmental responsibility, enhancing readiness for future challenges.Harness data for proactive business transformation. Disparate data across various enterprise planning systems is seen as a clear challenge as only 15% use data to guide their business’ transformation journeys. By effectively integrating the disparate data, organizations gain a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of their environmental impact, which leads to informed sustainability decisions.Foster a culture of collective responsibility. CEOs continue to shape sustainability goals and 49% of organizations consider Chief Sustainability Officers and sustainability teams key stakeholders (vs. 27% in 2023). The next step is for organizations to fully engage cross-functional teams, particularly finance and technology, to move sustainability into a core business priority and ensure implementation.

While the benefit of AI for sustainability is gaining traction, AI’s environmental impact is a growing concern. Only 35% of organizations are considering the energy implications of their AI solutions. Kyndryl and Microsoft provide actionable strategies for organizations to measure infrastructure baseline emissions and optimize AI architectures, including AI and machine learning models to minimize energy use and reduce waste. The two companies work closely with organizations to ensure that technological advancements contribute positively to sustainability goals without compromising innovation.

“As organizations increasingly recognize sustainability as a strategic imperative, we’re witnessing a surge of innovation and collaboration. AI is at the forefront of this movement, empowering businesses to optimize resource consumption, reduce waste and drive positive environmental impact,” said Ullrich Loeffler, CEO & Co-Founder of Ecosystm. “By uniting our efforts and leveraging technology, we can create a more sustainable and equitable future for generations to come.”

About the Study
The second edition of the Global Sustainability Barometer study, conducted by Ecosystm and commissioned by Kyndryl and Microsoft, reflects the perspectives of 1,355 global sustainability leaders spanning 20 countries and 9 industry groups. Conducted between August and September 2024, this study aims to bridge the sustainability-technology divide by examining the roles of strategy, data and AI in achieving sustainability goals.

Learn more about the study, “From Insights to Action: The Technology Impact on Sustainability.”

About Kyndryl
Kyndryl (NYSE: KD) is the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, serving thousands of enterprise customers in more than 60 countries. The company designs, builds, manages, and modernizes the complex, mission-critical information systems that the world depends on every day. For more information, please visit www.kyndryl.com.

Kyndryl Press Contact
press@kyndryl.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kyndryl-and-microsoft-study-only-21-of-organizations-globally-recognize-technologys-role-in-advancing-their-broader-sustainability-goals-302301728.html

SOURCE Kyndryl

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Leading Business Events Management Company, PRA Acquires Island Style Innovations in Hawai’i

Published

9 minutes ago

on

November 25, 2024

By

CHICAGO, Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — PRA, a leader in the Business Events industry, announced today the company has acquired Island Style Innovations, local destination management experts in the exclusive Hawaiian market. This move marks the second acquisition in the last 18 months in this important meeting, convention, and incentive program market, delivering continued growth and execution of PRA’s overall expansion strategy. The Island Style Innovations team will join the PRA Hawai’i office, under the leadership of Debbie Weil-Manuma, and rebrand as PRA, integrating with the current team.

Founded in 2014 by Tatiana von Oelhoffen and Colleen Reyes, Island Style Innovations is one of the leading events and incentive management teams operating across the Hawaiian Islands. With decades of combined event management experience, extensive local knowledge and strong operational excellence, the team specializes in comprehensive event design and execution. With well-established strategic relationships with many leading hotel brands, event venues, suppliers and business partners throughout the region, Island Style Innovations excels at delivering the highest quality meetings and events with a keen focus on local, authentic experiences. The company’s clientele spans programs for the insurance, financial, pharmaceutical, and technology sectors, along with diverse corporate clients.

Laurie Knapp, Chief Growth Officer of PRA, stated, “We welcome the incredible Island Style Innovations team to the PRA family who share our passion for creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences for valued clients. This continued expansion of our PRA Hawai’i team in this key destination emphasizes PRA’s steadfast commitment to deliver innovative event concepts through the industry’s most talented event designers and operators. Now working in conjunction with PRA’s industry leading creative, production, and global sales organization, the team will be able to deliver enhanced solutions in this important market.” 

The acquisition of Island Style Innovations along with the previous Weil & Associates Hawai’i purchase in 2023, marks a key step in the execution of PRA’s strategic growth plan.

“We are excited to have the Island Style Innovations team join PRA Hawai’i in this thriving market for events, enhancing our standing as the premier business events management company in the islands,” added Weil-Manuma. “Tatiana, Colleen, and the team have so much to be proud of in their creation of this successful business and we look forward to building our exciting next chapter together.”

“When it was time to consider the future for Island Style Innovations, we knew we wanted to collaborate with a group that aligned with our values and dedication to the personalized service our clients have come to expect over the years,” shared Reyes. “I couldn’t be prouder of what our team has achieved, yet this is just the beginning. And, while Tatiana will be heading off to new pursuits, the team will remain in place, and we look forward to working alongside the outstanding group at PRA Hawai’i. With increased resources and access to a robust network of destination experts nationwide, we are eager to see what the future brings. I extend my gratitude to Tatiana for all her significant contributions to the success of our Hawai’i team through her leadership and valued partnership over the years.”  

PRA (pra.com)
Headquartered in Chicago with teams throughout every major and secondary market in North America, PRA is a leading business event management firm, creating experiences which move hearts, minds, and businesses forward. Through its strategic approach to creative design, production services and destination programs, PRA offers end-to-end integrated service capabilities and solutions aligned with business meetings and events. PRA blends Passion, Reach and Authenticity to consistently deliver incomparable experiences that engage participants and exceed business goals. PRA’s reach runs deep, delivering value to millions of participants for 40 years in every major destination and beyond. For information on our complete portfolio of services, please visit pra.com.

PRA is majority owned by investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital.

About EagleTree Capital: 
EagleTree Capital is a leading New York-based middle-market private equity firm, with $5.3 billion of assets under management, that has completed 45 private equity investments and over 100 add-on transactions over the past 20+ years. EagleTree primarily invests in North America in the following sectors: business services, consumer, and water and specialty industrial. For more information, visit www.eagletree.com or find EagleTree on LinkedIn. 

Media Contact:  Laurie Knapp
Laurie.Knapp@PRA.com
M: +1.312.623.3713

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leading-business-events-management-company-pra-acquires-island-style-innovations-in-hawaii-302315087.html

SOURCE PRA

Continue Reading

Technology

Michael Baker International Increases Geographic Reach with Fayetteville, Arkansas, Office

Published

9 minutes ago

on

November 25, 2024

By

Firm’s third Arkansas location opens in rapidly growing market

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, today announced the opening of the firm’s Fayetteville, Arkansas, office.  The office is the firm’s third Arkansas location, joining outposts in Little Rock and Bentonville, and will serve as an extension of Bentonville operations, which has exceeded its existing office capacity due to the high demand for the firm’s urban roadway design and construction inspection services in Northwest Arkansas. The office will be led by Mike Stengel, P.E., Office Executive for Michael Baker’s Bentonville location.

“We are thrilled to expand Michael Baker’s footprint in the fast-growing Northwest Arkansas region. This new location will allow us to better serve statewide clients and accelerate growth in Arkansas,” said Tommy Montgomery, P.E., Southern Regional Director at Michael Baker International. “In opening our third Arkansas office, Michael Baker is reaffirming our commitment to our local clients and community. We look forward to continuing to Make a Difference in Arkansas and beyond.”

The new Fayetteville location enables Michael Baker to better serve the firm’s clients and provides an additional gateway for delivering its full spectrum of services to the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) and other public and private clients, including major universities and retailers in the region. Additionally, the new office’s prominent location in a high-traffic area will enhance the firm’s engagement with clients and elevate its visibility as it continues to expand.

Michael Baker was recently named as one of the 2024 Best Places to Work in Arkansas by Arkansas Business Magazine. The new Fayetteville location will accommodate the firm’s growing workforce and provide room for ongoing expansion.

About Michael Baker International
Michael Baker International is a leading provider of engineering and consulting services spanning five distinct Verticals: Infrastructure, Design-Build Services, Federal Programs and Services, Consulting and Technology Solutions (CTS) and Sustainable and Resilient Solutions (SRS). The firm’s Practices encompass all facets of infrastructure, including design and civil engineering for diverse bridge, highway, water, rail and transit and aviation projects, as well as planning, architecture, environmental and construction and program management. For more than 80 years, the company has been a trusted partner to clients, providing comprehensive services and solutions, delivering expertise and quality, and embracing emerging technologies and the latest innovations – like intelligent transportation, engineered models and public safety software as a service (SaaS).

The company has more than 4,900 employees across more than 90 office locations. Michael Baker’s Wolf Pack is committed to Making a Difference for clients and communities through a culture of innovation, collaboration and technological advancement while evolving its business to become a full-service engineering and consulting firm.

To learn more, visit https://mbakerintl.com/.

Contact: Julia Covelli
julia.covelli@mbakerintl.com
(866) 293-4609

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/michael-baker-international-increases-geographic-reach-with-fayetteville-arkansas-office-302315507.html

SOURCE Michael Baker International

Continue Reading

Technology

ERIN Launches ‘Sloths for Sloths’ to Fill CEO’s Office with Holiday Toys for Pittsburgh’s Underprivileged Youth

Published

9 minutes ago

on

November 25, 2024

By

Employee referral software platform ERIN has announced ‘Sloths for Sloths’ — a holiday toy drive hosted in collaboration with Hall of Fame running back Jerome “The Bus” Bettis.

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Pittsburgh-based employee referral software platform ERIN is getting into the holiday spirit with the launch of Sloths for Sloths — a holiday toy drive hosted in collaboration with Hall of Fame running back Jerome “The Bus” Bettis. Through an Amazon storefront set up specifically for this purpose, the ERIN team hopes to fill CEO Mike Stafiej’s office with toys for kids of all ages.

“There are two things that people will always support — giving toys to children for the holidays, and Jerome “The Bus” Bettis. At ERIN, we’re supporting a holiday toy drive with The Bus, and trying to fill a bus with toys.” – ERIN CEO Mike Stafiej

“ERIN’s notorious symbol is Sammy the Sloth, so we’ve aptly named this effort after our company’s kid-friendly mascot,” said Stafiej. “It’s our hope that every single underprivileged child in Pittsburgh will be greeted on Christmas morning with a toy that brightens their holiday. We’re proud to be taking initiative on their behalf, and hope for great success so we can continue this new tradition for years to come.”

Since 1997, Bettis and his The Bus Stops Here Foundation have been supporting Pittsburgh’s underprivileged inner-city youth through education, sports, technology and recreational opportunities. ERIN is proud to partner with such a valuable organization this holiday season to bring joy to the city’s youth.

Here’s how the program works:

Order a toy from the company’s Amazon storefront, or select a toy that you know a lucky child will love.Ship it to the ERIN headquarters at 600 River Avenue, Suite 103, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, c/o CEO Mike Stafiej.Email proof of your purchase to marketing@erinapp.com.

For every proof of a toy purchased, ERIN will match with another toy donation of up to $500 and add a stuffed Sammy the Sloth as a bonus gift. The Sloths for Sloths toy drive will end on December 13, after which all donated toys will be delivered to The Bus Stops Here Foundation for delivery to the kids of Pittsburgh.

For additional information, visit https://erinapp.com/toys. To hear more about Sloths for Sloths directly from CEO Mike Stafiej, watch this episode of The HR Morning Show.

Media Contact

Evan White, ERIN, 509.995.9105, ewhite@erinapp.com, https://erinapp.com 

Twitter

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/erin-launches-sloths-for-sloths-to-fill-ceos-office-with-holiday-toys-for-pittsburghs-underprivileged-youth-302314940.html

SOURCE ERIN

Continue Reading

Trending