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Richard Eglon: Sustainable tech activists pave the way for a new era

Nebula's Richard Eglon speaks to some of the channel's green stalwarts on why ESG is just good business

Have you noticed it happening yet? Across the tech world, a disruptive force is ready to dismantle the status quo of eco-indifference in the technology channel.

Sustainable tech activists are assembling. From inside VARs and MSPs, vendors, service providers, ISVs and distributors, individuals are coming together to form an unofficial community dedicated to dragging the tech sector - hopefully without kicking and screaming - into the new era of sustainability.

While sustainability weathered a reputational storm, labelled a ‘scam' by Elon Musk initially, followed by phases of tree-hugging, greenwashing, and the subsequent greenhushing, a surge of sustainable tech activists understand the broader market forces and motivations driving this eco-resurgence.

Primarily, these activists understand that sustainability transcends tree planting - it demands a commercial aspect to engage business leaders - these individuals are all about are about profit with purpose. PwC's latest research reveals that 44 per cent of investors place sustainability in their top five concerns. Gen-Z and beyond place substantial emphasis on sustainable brands, both as consumers and employees.

The second driving force is that customers are at the forefront. According to the Enterprise Strategy Group, 93 per cent of IT decision-makers expect technology suppliers' ESG commitments to increase in importance.

Oli Mason, managing director at IT lifecycle solutions company, KOcycle, notes a rising trend of supply chain analysis as end-users look to align their supply chain with internal sustainability targets. "It's only by collaborating that as a channel we can understand the end clients' ESG drivers and better align the solutions we're providing to meet those goals together."

And that's the final, vital point that sustainable tech activists understand - and are already pursuing - that collaboration is key. While a single organisation achieving sustainability milestones is commendable, an entire sector united in purpose is unparalleled.

Sheryl Moore, director of sustainability at Stone, underscores how collaboration elevates the profile of ESG internally and externally, fostering the exchange of best practices. "It's estimated that up to 80 per cent of carbon emissions are in Scope 3, so when it comes to measuring carbon output, the only way is to work with the entire supply chain."

In the absence of concrete ESG legislation, no overarching laws to abide by that ensure all companies hit targets, fulfil commitments and constantly try to move the needle on improving their sustainability goals, the activists have taken the initiative to drive collaboration.

Jenny Latimer, head of alliances and operations, Highgate IT Solutions is proud to be a channel ambassador for Techies Go Green. "There are a few initiatives in the channel that bring together organisations because sustainability has the unique ability to put competitor status and type of business aside," she says.

Other initiatives include CRN's own sustainability team, as well as Tech for Good where leading organisations share information, opportunities and sustainability objectives, said Moore, who is a member of both.

While uniting around sustainability is essential, sharing goals is also crucial. The sustainable technology activists emphasise that even small changes by individuals will propel larger transformation at a community, company and country level that will yield significant results.

It could be starting small, such as goals around tech packaging, for example. "We have been working with our packaging supplier to reduce it by 5% and removing single-use plastic, which has environmental benefits not just carbon impact," said Moore.

And it's not just about the ‘e' in ESG either, the social aspect is vital too. "Our shared goals could be around how we can align funds from redundant technology to a charity of the year or even just how we agree to donate devices to local causes to help promote digital inclusion," something KOcycle is already doing, Mason says.

Latimer believes the governance side of ESG is also important. "Setting realistic and achievable ‘Channel Goals' at the start of each year could give organisations something to work towards and drive focus. There are so many routes to go down, and it is difficult to know which path to take, some guidance in the form of governance would help everyone."

By embracing an open-source approach to sustainability, the sustainable technology activists are fostering a culture of collaboration within the channel, seeking innovative ideas and best practices around ESG to drive change and prove that through shared efforts, we can usher in a future where sustainability isn't an option - it's a mandate to thrive.

Passionate about sustainability in the channel? There's still time to join CRN's Sustainability in Tech Summit next week. Click here to learn more.