EDITOR ’ S QUESTION

ROD NEALE , CEO AND FOUNDER ,

CIRCULAR COMPUTING

Regulation is driving much of this change . Over the past decade , we ’ ve seen a 155 % surge in ESG regulation as governments worldwide seek to curb corporate carbon emissions . Tighter regulation means no part of business operations is safe from scrutiny , and in our increasingly digital world , IT is always going to be a part of those conversations .

Pressure is coming from clients and consumers too , with some choosing to vote with their wallets and others opting to openly protest . Brands that can show they are taking quick action on sustainability are better placed to protect and , in some cases , even enhance their reputation , increasing customer loyalty and market share .

Sustainability is no longer a checkbox exercise or footnote in a CIO ’ s job description ; it has become an integral part of the role as the environmental challenges we face as a society have reached the boardroom .

Employee activism is another emerging risk-factor that can turn a brand ’ s public reputation on its head overnight . Employees must feel invested in sustainability efforts , and I would urge CIOs to think about how each one interacts with their employer . Nine-times-out-of-10 , that interaction is going to be technological – be that a laptop , mobile , printer , vehicle or connected device – and that medium is a great opportunity to show employees you are walking the walk . We ’ ve seen a remarkable increase in demand for remanufactured laptops in the past year , not just because they cost less , both financially and for the climate , but because employees are actually pleased to know their laptop is part of the solution . I would urge CIOs thinking about ways of making progress on sustainability within their organisation to look at remanufacturing as a simple solution that is as likely to win them friends in the boardroom and shareholder meetings , as on the shop floor .

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