Intelligent CIO Europe Issue 52 | Page 84

FINAL WORD

Why data is the secret weapon to exceeding sustainability targets

Climate change is a pressing issue , addressed recently at COP26 , with corporate leaders committed to achieving net zero carbon by 2030 . Julie Kae , VP of Sustainability and DE & I , Executive Director of Qlik . org provides insight into how data help businesses become more eco-friendly by aiding their ESG requirements and helping them meet sustainability targets .

In the wake of COP26 , both governments and private sector organisations have been under intense scrutiny to explain how they will meet the lofty sustainability targets they are expected to – and this pressure is a good thing .

Unsurprisingly , this impetus is not new , as many businesses have been trying to defend their climate change credentials in order to shake off accusations of ‘ greenwashing ’ and performative corporate activism . These concerns are indeed valid , as now more than ever , environmental , social and governance ( ESG ) considerations are playing a major role in determining the success of many firms . This includes everything from pitching potential investors , making procurement decisions and informing consumer habits . The ability to shape consumer habits is particularly powerful , as a recent study by PwC showed that 80 % of consumers were more likely to buy from a company that actively stands up for the environment through their work .
Being open and transparent with your sustainability targets
To attract both customers and talent , it is increasingly imperative that businesses can prove their commitment to ESG . The answer for many lies in data – tracking a range of different metrics to demonstrate their impact on the environment and society around them . Reporting information of this kind is on the up – a recent KPMG study noted that 80 % of the world ’ s largest organisations now
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