The growing public call for climate change action has led to an increased expectation for businesses to accelerate their efforts to work towards net zero to preserve the earth’s resources. Computer science – particularly artificial intelligence (AI) - is shaping how we think about and implement these sustainable solutions, from smart transport systems designed to reduce emissions to optimising renewable energy deployment, allowing businesses to make sustainable choices based on empirical evidence. Rather than how - the question is fast becoming - how fast can technological innovation take us towards our sustainable goals?
However, while on one hand, the technology sector has an important role to play in creating solutions to environmental issues, it also has a social responsibility to mitigate its digital footprint. According to the UN, the industry currently accounts for approximately 2-3% of total global emissions, and this is increasing. For some of the world’s biggest technology companies, the need to responsibly pave the way forward has created positive competition. Amazon, Facebook, Apple and Google, for example, have all developed ambitious goals for cutting their climate emissions, with some already declaring themselves to be carbon neutral.
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