Most modern technology requires increasingly rare resources to produce. It all takes energy to run, much of which is still supplied by fossil fuels. For business leaders that care, the top tech sustainability trends that are emerging offer a potentially brighter future.
Here are the trends to watch – as well as some things you can do right away to improve your own business’s sustainability when it comes to its tech usage:
The advantage of sustainability in tech
Most businesses now realise that sustainability improvements they make have direct benefits for their bottom line and profits. Becoming known for your focus on sustainability can increase sales and boost brand reputation.
As more and more business leaders adapt to this – overcoming Return On Investment concerns as each business better delineates concrete objectives for its sustainability strategy – a pro-sustainability position is likely to become the default for all organisations in every sector.
Top tech sustainability trends for 2023 and beyond
This makes it worthwhile for every company to keep an eye on the latest developments. In the near future, we can expect all of the following tech trends to provide possibilities for sustainability improvement:
1) IoT
The Internet of Things involves incorporating sensors and other data-tracking devices into products, equipment, manufacturing systems, and all kinds of processes.
The data these devices collect can then be leveraged in all sorts of ways. One interesting example is the litter bins in London that track how full they are, meaning collection vehicles don’t need to stop by so often.
There are potentially big environmental and business cost savings to be made in terms of reduced business travel (to maintain systems that don’t need it) and environmental condition monitoring too.
2) Blockchain
The most famous implementation of Blockchain, cryptocurrency, is experiencing some volatility at the moment. But what else is new!
The underlying digital record-keeping Blockchain technology has a lot of potential though. For a start, business sustainability-wise, it could further reduce paper usage.
The World Economic Forum is also using it to track supply chain sustainability. There’s no reason why more businesses can’t do the same. Some already are.
3) AI
Some organisations are already using a combination of satellite imaging and AI to monitor emissions across various industries.
On an individual business scale, there is also some potential for AI’s pattern recognition abilities to combine with IoT data collection to spot risks or ways a business could improve its sustainability factors.
4) Smart grids
Smart grids are essentially a combination of IoT smart devices and energy generation.
This combination could make energy use more efficient and even increase the use of renewable energy by allowing grids to shift energy sources at key times.
5) Big data
For agribusinesses and other companies that rely on understanding weather systems, climate, and other environmental factors, the huge boosts in computing power of recent years could soon provide a major breakthrough.
This will allow better allocation of resources and tracking of the changes already being brought about by climate change.
Don’t forget proven tech sustainability strategies
These new trends in tech sustainability are exciting. But they’re no reason to skip the proven methods of improving business sustainability that are already here.
These are – first and foremost – using renewable energy. There is nothing that creates an equivalent environmental impact. Eco-friendly lighting, more careful energy use, buying second-hand devices, and reducing unnecessary business travel are also easy wins.
These already proven methods can also be given a big boost by these future trends. Not only through combination. But also by exciting business leaders into action today by seeing the possibilities of tomorrow.
Want to explore what more you can do to make your business tech use sustainable?
Let’s talk. Set up a cost and commitment-free consultation with Dial A Geek‘s Chief Geek Gildas Jones today to talk it through.
Benefit from the same expertise that has already helped over 900 businesses in Bristol and the UK get the best from their tech.