UK businesses are set for a sustainability boom, but some major issues still remain
Britain’s businesses continue to invest in their sustainability goals, with spending on more environmentally friendly technologies set to increase by 260% between 2018 and 2030, new research shows – but some problems remain.
According to a recent study by Cognizant, the majority (81%) of UK businesses are now using digital tools to improve employee efficiency – a trend that has seen significant growth over the past twelve months with the rise of AI tools – but Cognizant thinks more needs to be done.
Many seem concerned about the sustainability of the products we use in the workplace, and perceptions of greenwashing are running high.
Will we achieve our sustainability goals?
A separate Kantar survey of approximately 26,000 participants, in which various categories were assigned a sustainability sector index score between -100 and 100, found that electronic devices received a poor score of 22, which included placing them in the bottom 10 categories, such as alcohol. smoking, and oil and gas.
Participants also raised concerns about greenwashing by social media companies, which have recently come under fire for their growing data center footprint.
Nevertheless, many companies continue to take major steps in the right direction. More than half (53%) said their sustainability strategies include developing products and services designed to help address environmental challenges.
Cloud adoption, and especially multi-cloud adoption, along with other IoT, automation and AI technologies, have all been on the rise in recent months as employers look to increase efficiency, and for the most part they seem to to work. Nine in ten have seen positive results, but other recent studies have shown that companies may spend money because they feel they have to, rather than going in with a clear purpose.
Cognizant UK and Ireland Country Head, Rohit Gupta, said: “UK companies have already made a positive start, but looking ahead it will be those who form partnerships to creatively deploy emerging and maturing technologies capable of achieving their sustainability goals reach. ”
Karine Trinquetel, Kantar’s Global Head of Offer, Sustainable Transformation Practice, added: “Acting with courage and courage to lead the way in sustainability has never been more crucial, regardless of your sector.”