In a context where European environmental regulations are being strengthened with regard to large organisations (CSRD, CS3D, Green Taxonomy, etc.), organisations must increasingly equip themselves to carry out their decarbonisation and climate change adaptation policy.
It is in this context that Cigref has published its report “IT for Green: contributions from the digital departments to the CSR and decarbonisation challenges of organisations”. This analysis and reflection work highlights the positive contributions that digital technology can make to the ecological transition of companies and organisations, while drawing attention to the necessary balance to be found between Green IT and IT for Green.
IT for Green: A complementary approach to Green IT
IT for Green differs from Green IT, which aims to reduce the environmental impact of digital technology (hardware and software). IT for Green, on the other hand, focuses on the positive externalities of digital technology at the systemic level, optimising processes, decarbonising activities and providing innovative solutions to environmental challenges.
This report highlights the need to combine these two dimensions in a coherent and integrated manner, in order to deduce net gains between the benefits provided by a digital solution in a particular use case and the environmental impact of that same solution.
IT for GreenConcrete levers for an IT for Green strategy: A complementary approach to Green IT
The report identifies several levers that enable digital departments to integrate IT for Green into their projects, for the benefit of CSR strategies:
- 1. Measure the environmental impact of the organisation’s activities
Digital technology enables a comprehensive and precise assessment of the footprint of an organisation’s activities on a set of environmental criteria (such as carbon but also the impact on water consumption, biodiversity, circular economy practices, the accessibility rate of sites, etc.). It enables the monitoring of clear and shared indicators.
- 2. Manage initiatives
The adoption of a management tool helps to structure IT for Green governance around shared environmental indicators, enables actions to be structured and ensures their consistency with the organisation’s CSR objectives.
- 3. Simulate and anticipate impacts
The use of modeling and simulation tools helps to identify the best strategies for minimising the environmental footprint.
- 4. Innovate to optimise
Digital innovation, provided that it itself has a low impact, can play a key role in improving the decarbonisation of organisations.
- 5. Document and share good practices
Open innovation and the sharing of experiences between organisations amplify the impact of IT for Green initiatives.
However, these various levers must always take into account the methodological difficulties of IT for Green. Between “net” measurement and potential rebound effects, particular attention must be paid to how these approaches are evaluated and managed.
A useful tool for you: the analysis grid for mapping IT for Green initiatives
This report is accompanied by an analysis grid for monitoring IT for Green initiatives and their impacts. This grid was drawn up based on the main areas of the carbon footprints and CSR policies of large groups.
Discover the IT for Green report
To go further, download the full report and discover how digital departments can contribute effectively to CSR and decarbonisation strategies.
With this report, Cigref invites companies and organisations to reflect on the opportunities offered by IT for Green and to implement a real IT for Green strategy that complements “Responsible Digital” strategies, starting with:
- Referencing and promoting IT for Green initiatives
- Promoting environmental data and integrating it into the organisation’s data strategy
- Onboarding and supporting teams
- Implement IT for Green monitoring and performance indicators in each relevant project
Our thanks go to Franck Denié, Deputy Director General in charge of information systems at France Travail, and Frédéric Novello, Director of Digital Transformation at SNCF, who led the work of the Cigref “IT for Green” working group, as well as to all those who participated and contributed.
