From Sustainable Brands: A Prominent IT Professional’s Outlook on 2019 – “Year of Sustainability”, Empowered by Technology & Innovation
From Sustainable Brands: Is 2019 going to be “The Year of Sustainability”? Greatly empowered by technology? With exciting innovation on the business front? One European-based writer (Carmen Ene, CEO of 3 STEP IT in Helsinki, Finland) thinks so. Writing for Sustainable Brands® SB/The Bridge to Better Brands, she outlines what she sees as the top sustainability issues for corporate leaders in 2019 -- and offers advice on how to address them. Consider her view: Companies can take better control of their sustainability strategies and publicly acknowledge the top issues they could be facing in this year. Data-driven metrics can help here (“Big Data” analytics help in planning and strategy-setting at the top, for example). The rate of adoption of sustainable practices has been picking up in recent years but in 2019, we can expect to see significant change in business leaders’ behavior toward sustainability efforts. As the universe of third party ESG data and analytics providers continue to expand their efforts to tell a story about the ESG activities of public companies, without active control of the narration, corporate executives may see various independent narratives (presented by the third parties) that are not favorable portrayals of the company and its ESG activities. Artificial intelligence and blockchain are some approaches to be explored, says the writer. Naturally, as a seasoned IT professional, Carmen Ene sees innovation in tech as important means for leaders to keep up with meeting investor, customer and stakeholder needs. Consumer behavior is something smart businesses always deal with. And so, dealing with the prevalent “throwaway culture” for producers of IT hardware -- think about the waste and need for recycling of electronic goods -- will certainly present growing challenges. (China recently curtailed treatment of E waste from other nations, presenting real challenges for civil government leaders in the USA at the community level.) As the “digital world” continues to expand (think: ever-increasing access to information via newly-acquired hardware), the cast-off waste and E-detritus continues to build worldwide. That requires smart approaches by electronics manufacturers and others to develop more effective waste and recycling efforts -- which for industry players means (the author advises) better management of hardware, improved purchasing decisions and focus on reduction. More effective IT lifecycle management is one approach being adopted by companies, says Carmen Ene -- and that is the focus of her company’s efforts. Changing regulations will pose challenges for businesses -- worldwide, more regulations are being put in place to address environmental issues such as those posed by plastic waste and increasing GHG emissions. Local and national governments are putting sustainability goals in place (the UN SDGs are a driver) with both voluntary and mandatory guidelines. The almost 200 nations signing on to the Paris Agreement are busily coming up with “solutions” to environmental issues at home. A key takeaway from her commentary: business has a real need to act responsibly as a key aspect of corporate strategy. Technology does help to drive change (sometimes very rapidly and causing disruption in many instances), and technology properly deployed can help to drive sustainability practices -- creating still more innovation in sustainability strategy and efforts. Business offerings can be made more sustainable and ethical for the future – with the help of technology. We’re presenting interesting reading for you from this author in our Top Story this week. Carmen Ene joined 3 STEP IT as CEO in 2015; the company’s mission is “to enable the most advanced IT life cycle management while striving to make the circular economy a reality.” She previously held senior management positions at IBM. The publication is from Sustainable Brands (SB), the premier global community of brand innovators “shaping the future of commerce worldwide.” SB positions itself as a bridge between brand innovators across all circles, acting as a catalyst for intelligent discourse. G&A Institute collaborates with SB in sharing information of value to our connections and promoting visibility for the fabulous Sustainable Brands conferences. This Week's Top Stories 3 Top Sustainability Issues in 2019 and How to Address Them Sustainability: Continuing Forward Momentum! First, let’s look at consumers and sustainability and what the recent news and trendlines might be telling us… France Has The Most Sustainable Food System The CFDA Launches Resource-Rich Sustainability Initiative For Designers USRSB: The Sustainable Initiative to Watch in 2019 The apps that can tell you if you're buying sustainably Sustainability Showdown: What is sustainability — and why does it matter? Reviewing the Automakers’ Sustainability and EV Commitments Strongest Opponents Of GM Foods Know The Least About Them J. Crew tackles sustainability with denim buyback program And looking at other news & trendlines of interest… Local data is the key to sustainable development Why the ocean holds the key to sustainable development Balancing Capital Investment with Long-Term Sustainability Goals This real estate sustainability startup just closed on a $19M funding round The World Now Has Universal Health and Sustainability Targets Most Americans Say U.S. Health Care Is in a 'State of Crisis'
Antarctica's ice is melting faster, raising risk of sea level rise Cybersecurity Seen as the Biggest Threat to Business in Sword GRC Annual Survey of Risk Managers Davos: Climate is the biggest risk to business (and the world) New U.S. Oil And Gas Drilling To Unleash 1,000 Coal Plants’ Worth Of Pollution By 2050 Analysis: EPA Ignored Scientific Research Showing Monsanto’s Glyphosate Causes Cancer
This Chocolate Brand Is The First To Feature A New LGBT Seal PG&E ex-CEO gets $2.5 million severance amid wildfire woes Judge declines to dismiss Ben & Jerry's lawsuit Tyson Foods and EDF Launch Partnership to Accelerate Sustainable Food Production Nestlé to phase out all plastics by 2025 Dow Chemical joins $1 billion effort to cut plastic waste in ocean and environment Goldman boss apologises for 1MDB scandal US reportedly investigates Huawei for allegedly stealing trade secrets
News & Opinion: Asset Managers, Sovereign Wealth Funds, Pension Funds Bitcoin is 10 years old. But it won't go mainstream until it's regulated retirement debt bomb">Connecticut needs to defuse its retirement debt bomb
What If Most Americans Don't Care That Deeply About Trade? When did globalization begin? The answer might surprise you Is The FDA Ready To Take On The Powerful Food Industry' | New Governance & Accountability
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