· ai-devtools
Deloitte research shows tech choices drive workplace sustainability goals
Day-to-day technology selections directly shape an organization's environmental footprint, according to Yannic Laleeuwe, Marketing Director Workplace Collaboration at Barco ClickShare.
C-suite leaders now frequently list sustainability among their top three priorities, alongside technology and AI adoption, as research from Deloitte indicates. This report further posits that implementing IT solutions is the most frequent method for achieving organizational objectives.
A recent survey by Barco ClickShare showed that 96 percent of 500 US tech leaders believe their sustainability efforts contribute significantly and positively to global strategy. Moreover, an even higher 98 percent feel their departments ought to spearhead these activities.
Laleeuwe emphasizes that IT functions possess a central role in addressing sustainability matters. "Sustainability is about practical decisions: buying reliable technology, extending product life, reducing complexity, and ensuring devices can be managed, repaired and responsibly recycled," she explains.
Since technology choices are rarely made by IT leaders alone, collaboration with other groups is crucial. Barco ClickShare's report notes that only 6 percent of IT departments are the sole decision-makers regarding tech investments, including meeting room systems.
When purchasing equipment, top priorities must include security, reliability, and ease of integration. If gear lacks durability and interoperability, it will require replacement sooner, generating waste and necessitating new purchases with high carbon footprints.
Prospective buyers should ask suppliers about product methodologies and certifications. Valid marks include the TCO Certified global sustainability for IT products marque and the US government's Energy Star symbol for energy efficiency.
Laleeuwe cautions that certifications and carbon-neutral claims must offer "transparency, not just reassurance." He states that suppliers "should show how the product performs, which lifecycle stages are covered, how claims are validated, and what concrete design choices reduce impact."
Essential considerations also involve the energy consumption of the platform during use and whether vendors provide take-back programs for responsible disposal. Laleeuwe notes: "Prioritizing repair and recycling extends product life, avoids premature disposal and turns ESG [environmental, social, and governance] goals into repeatable IT practices."
However, current practices often overlook these elements. Barco ClickShare's research found only 42 percent of IT leaders currently select equipment repairable by the manufacturer. Furthermore, only 16 percent consider repairability a top concern, while 11 percent prioritize recycling.
The shift toward hybrid work presents unique challenges. Barco ClickShare's report indicates that about 95 percent of IT leaders feel these practices have complicated sustainability efforts. While 63 percent noted an increase in energy-efficient cloud services, managing e-waste from remote locations remains harder for 48 percent.
Standardizing equipment across the organization offers significant benefits. Laleeuwe explains that it "limits the number of device types, spare parts, support processes and replacement cycles IT has to manage, while making updates, remote management and lifecycle planning easier."
Embedding these goals into daily work requires setting shared criteria for durability, repairability, and lifecycle reporting. Laleeuwe advises: "That means setting shared criteria for certifications, energy efficiency, durability, repairability, recyclability, vendor take-back, and lifecycle reporting."
