Undoubtedly, technology has become increasingly important for business by bringing agility, efficiency, and intelligence to processes. For example, certain services continued during the pandemic only because of connectivity and cloud computing solutions.

In fact, a recent survey by IDC, a consulting firm, showed that 83% of companies intend to maintain or expand their IT budget in 2023.

However, apart from the productivity and profitability benefits, have you ever thought about how technology can be a powerful ally in creating more sustainable business models?

For a long time, the entire tech sector was considered a major problem in the face of sustainability due to the growing volume of electronic waste generated. Of course, this remains a serious issue, the solutions to which are still less than expected.

For example, we have reverse logistics that collects used equipment for proper disposal or even recycles electronics, which can recover raw materials from the devices and increase their lifespan. But nothing can cope with the impact of more than 50 million tons of garbage, which is the amount generated annually in the world, according to the UN Global E-Waste Monitor.

However, if we think less about the devices and more about the solutions, then innovations will open up a world of possibilities aligned with ESG values, and people will become more aware of that.

I recently brought content on the CES 2023 news, and it was at this same event that the Tech Compass 2023 survey was disclosed. This has led to the perception that 75% of the population believes technological progress improves the world, and 83% think this is the key to the climate crisis.

But how is it possible? Several businesses have already implemented these changes. I have even helped implement this within AccorInvest in Latin America, with a focus on reducing impact and improving the experience of employees and guests in the case of hotels.

Therefore, I will share some good practices I know are worthwhile, even requiring planning, investment, and time to enter the scene.

Three Simple Technologies to Apply Sustainably in Companies

1. Electronic Signature

It may seem minor, but the exchange of physical documents for digital ones significantly reduced the waste generated in the long term. The deployment is also simple, and there are several specialized services that can help so that the documents signed virtually have the same legal validity as in their physical version.

2. Digitization and Automation of Processes

Payment, audit, inventory, or database systems can all be digitized, increasing productive efficiency while reducing the carbon footprint.

"If we think less about the devices and more about the solutions, then innovations will open up a world of possibilities aligned with ESG values, and people will become more aware of that"

 In this way, it is also easier to virtually automate bureaucratic processes that were done manually, even reducing the chance of human errors in the paperwork.

3. Cloud Computing

Perhaps this is one of the technologies that was most popularized during the wave of digital transformation from 2020 to 2022. In general, cloud computing allows you to virtually store and process information, which means it is unnecessary to store physical documents in the same way that certain hardware pieces also become expendable.

Maintaining a local server, for example, is an expensive process that wastes resources like electricity because it is necessary to maintain the air conditioning of the environment full-time.

In this sense, migration to a cloud operating system can be done in several ways. In fact, it is possible to do this process gradually so as not to disrupt the daily operation of the business. In the end, there is a faster and safer system for employees to use and for the service of our guests to be more agile.

Plan and Execute: Innovate is Necessary

These are some simpler examples of changes that can be virtually made within any business model and that already contribute to a brighter future with less waste, less equipment on site, and even fewer resources spent.

But of course, it is possible to go further, and I recommend it!

At AccorInvest, for example, we have adopted solar panels in addition to migrating part of our portfolio in Brazil to the free energy market. This ensures that we are using the cleanest and most economical energy available. Therefore, the results up to November 2022 show that we have improved our carbon footprint—356 tons of CO2 have been reduced.

We always need to weigh the pros and cons. There is no denying that technology has a negative impact on the environment. However, there are smart ways to use technological solutions to create a better world. I hope I have inspired you to seek these alternatives and explore more about the technological challenges and opportunities in business.