With Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) objectives at the forefront of many organizations' business goals for 2023, it’s clear we are in the midst of a transition to a low-carbon economy. While as a society we recognize the urgency of the climate crisis, both the ecology and the economy of the situation are beginning to take hold. Businesses are expanding the traditional definition of shareholder ROI to not only incorporate sustainability goals but to use sustainability as a means to improve their bottom line.
For example, this year in Europe, 88% of companies are planning to increase investments into digital processes and sustainability practices compared to 58% in 2020. In the data center industry, specifically, a recent Schneider Electric survey with the 451 Group interviewed more than 800 global data center operators and found that 97% of providers’ customers are asking for contractual sustainability commitments. Sustainability is no longer “nice to have”, but a “must have” business requirement.