A recent report from Atos, titled “Increasing digital workplace sustainability: Data-driven strategy to accelerate progress together,” has shed light on significant issues regarding waste and carbon emissions in the information technology (IT) sector. With insights gathered from an extensive analysis of 28.5 million devices across medium to large organisations, the report raises critical points concerning corporate social responsibility (CSR) and IT decision-making.
The findings reveal that a staggering 79% of a laptop's carbon emissions stem from its manufacturing process, with each device responsible for approximately 338 kilograms of CO2 equivalent before it is put to use. In response to this alarming statistic, Atos suggests that extending the lifecycle of devices is a substantial opportunity for organisations to mitigate environmental impact. A simple modification of the standard refresh cycle from three years to four years could lead to a 25% reduction in emissions while preserving user performance and satisfaction. Moreover, when combined with remanufacturing practices, data-driven device refreshes could potentially extend device lifespans to an impressive 8-10 years.
Notably, Atos' study indicates that 76% of laptops within large organisations possess the potential for remanufacturing, while the remaining 24% could either be refurbished or recycled, thus contributing positively to the circular economy. Leon Gilbert, Senior Vice President of Digital Workplace at Atos, remarked, “We wanted to leverage the vast quantities of data available to Atos and our partners to challenge convention and pinpoint new opportunities for enterprises and their IT service providers.” He added that some insights were surprising even to the experts involved, emphasising how organisations can enhance the financial, environmental, and social value of every device without diminishing user satisfaction.
The role of employees in promoting IT sustainability is underscored in the report, with 75% of surveyed employees expressing a willingness to retain their devices longer if they were made aware of the associated environmental benefits. Despite this positive inclination, the research also highlights concerning trends; approximately 16% of devices are left on continuously, and carbon intensity can fluctuate up to 2.3 times throughout the day. This indicates a pressing need for greater employee education on energy-saving measures, such as using devices during off-peak hours and leveraging battery power when applicable.
Data from the ICT sector indicates that a notable 57% of carbon emissions originate from devices and workplace environments. In light of this, David Welling, IT Sustainability Governance Lead at the National Grid, stated, “Within our own organization, we are looking at using the data from this study to drive strategic changes in behaviour.” He further illustrated an analogy between laptop usage and electric vehicle charging, highlighting a potent opportunity for the ICT sector to drive emissions reduction across energy systems at a national level.
The Atos report concludes that adopting sustainable management practices in the workplace does not necessarily involve lengthy or costly processes. In fact, organisations could reap benefits quickly from the strategies suggested within the report. The emphasis is placed on the assertion that “what we can measure, we can change,” reinforcing the need for comprehensive and real-time data to track progress towards environmental goals.
Atos continues to evolve as a leader in the sector, providing end-to-end employee experience solutions and a range of digital collaboration and productivity tools. Their sustainable digital workplace suite, which includes over 20 "Tech for Good" services, integrates social value, accessibility criteria, as well as data analytics. Furthermore, Atos was recently recognised in March 2024 as a Leader in Gartner's 2024 Magic Quadrant for Outsourced Digital Workplace Services for the eighth consecutive year, highlighting their ongoing commitment to both innovation and sustainability within the digital landscape.
Source: Noah Wire Services