Apidays Singapore 2024 - The Growing Carbon Footprint of Digitalization and How to Control it by Faiz Mulla, IBM

The Growing Carbon Footprint of Digitalization and How to Control it
Faiz Mulla, Sustainability Software Technical Product Leader - IBM

Apidays Singapore 2024: Connecting Customers, Business and Technology (April 17 & 18, 2024)

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Transcript

1. The growing carbon footprint of digitalization and how to control it IBM @ Apidays The Arts House at the Old Parliament, Singapore 17 & 18 April 2024
3. Everything that we do impacts the environment. 3
4. 4 ESG Overview Digital Carbon Footprints Digital Decarbonization IBM Sustainability solutions Agenda
5. Green House Gases (GHG) emissions are interconnected 5
6. The decarbonization pathway 6 Offsets Scope 3 Supply Chain upstream & downstream Renewables (onsite/offsite) Equipment Upgrades & Electrification Operational efficiency Existing footprint Emissions reduction strategies CO2 e Business growth Existing footprint Baseline Commit
7. A world-class solution supporting major framework 7
8. Digital Carbon Footprint 1. Energy ↷ Consumption Digital devices, data centers, and networks require significant amounts of energy to operate. This energy consumption contributes to carbon emissions, especially if the electricity used comes from fossil fuel sources. 2. Data ↷ Centers Data centers are large facilities that house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems. They consume vast amounts of electricity for cooling and running servers, leading to a considerable carbon footprint. 3. Internet ↷ Infrastructure The infrastructure that supports the internet, including servers, routers, and data transmission networks, also requires substantial energy inputs. 4. Manufacturing ↷ and disposal The production and disposal of digital devices contribute to their carbon footprint. Manufacturing processes, especially for components like semiconductors, can be energy-intensive. Additionally, improper disposal of electronic waste (e-waste) can lead to environmental pollution and further carbon emissions. 5. Data ↷ Transmission Streaming videos, downloading files, and using cloud services all involve data transmission, which consumes energy. While individual transactions may seem negligible, the cumulative effect across millions of users can be significant. The digitalization of our world has brought immense benefits in terms of efficiency, connectivity, and access to information. However, it also comes with environmental costs, particularly in terms of carbon emissions and energy consumption. 8
9. Digital Decarbonization Renewable Energy Transitioning to renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, can help reduce the carbon emissions associated with digitalization. Many tech companies are already investing in renewable energy to power their operations. Data Center Optimization Consolidating servers, improving server utilization rates, and optimizing data center design can help reduce energy consumption. Additionally, locating data centers in cooler climates or using natural cooling methods can lower energy requirements for cooling. Circular Economy for Electronics Promoting the reuse, recycling, and responsible disposal of digital devices can help reduce the environmental impact of their production and disposal. This includes designing devices for easier disassembly and recycling, as well as implementing take-back programs for old devices. Regulation and Policy Governments can play a crucial role in controlling the carbon footprint of digitalization through regulations, incentives, and standards. This could include mandating energy efficiency standards for digital devices and data centers, promoting renewable energy adoption, and implementing policies to reduce e- waste. Energy Efficiency Increasing the energy efficiency of digital devices, data centers, and networks can significantly reduce their carbon footprint. This includes using energy-efficient hardware, optimizing software algorithms, and implementing more efficient cooling systems in data centers. Efficient Data Transmission Encouraging practices such as data compression, content caching, and using more efficient transmission protocols can reduce the energy consumption associated with data transmission. 9 ↓ Controlling the carbon footprint of digitalization requires a multi-faceted approach:
10. IBM’s sustainability solutions Intelligent assets, facilities and infrastructure Maximo TRIRIGA Responsible computing and green IT Turbonomic Sustainable supply chains and circularity Sterling Order Management Supply Chain Intelligence Suite ESG Data, Reporting and Risk Management Sustainability Strategy and Roadmap Garage for Sustainability (co-creation) Sustainability strategic advisory services Turn sustainability ambition into action! Consultants (Ecosystem) Role Strategy, experience, technology, managed services capabilities Technology (Ecosystem) Opportunity Infused with AI and hybrid cloud technologies Envizi Environmental Intelligence Suite 10