Trends Report

Jekyll And Hyde: The Dual Role Of Emerging Tech In Environmental Sustainability

Good Planning Ensures That Your Sustainability Benefits Will Outweigh The Risks

April 20th, 2022
Abhijit Sunil, Senior Analyst
Abhijit Sunil Senior Analyst
Paul Miller, Vice President, Principal Analyst
Paul Miller Vice President, Principal Analyst
Martha Bennett, VP, Principal Analyst
Martha Bennett VP, Principal Analyst
Michele Pelino, Principal Analyst
Michele Pelino Principal Analyst
Zhi-Ying Barry, Principal Analyst
Zhi-Ying Barry Principal Analyst
Renee Taylor-Huot, Senior Researcher
Renee Taylor-Huot Senior Researcher
Craig Le Clair, Vice President, Principal Analyst
Craig Le Clair Vice President, Principal Analyst
Glenn O'Donnell, VP, Research Director
Glenn O'Donnell VP, Research Director
With contributors:
Stephanie Balaouras , Andre Kindness , Mike Gualtieri , Madeline Cyr , Jack MacPhee , Hailey DiCicco , Diane Lynch

Summary

As the world faces the existential threat of climate change, many tech leaders are eager to apply emerging technologies to advance their environmental sustainability goals. Emerging tech will aid in the observability of new data; increase efficiencies in facilities management and manufacturing; and, in some cases, help reduce carbon emissions directly. However, the necessary compute power and scale of implementing these technologies can offset their benefits due to the size of their carbon footprints and volume of waste. In this report, we examine the dual roles of eight emerging technologies and explain how to use them for good.

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