Why enterprises' digital DNA need to go green

Carbon Emissions

The information technology (IT) industry silently adds to the overall global carbon emissions, and the impact cannot be dismissed. Watch eminent industry leaders discuss the roadmap to sustainable software, infrastructure, and actions, as well as sustainable business models.

In the wake of the visible impact of climate change around the globe and the crucial COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, eminent industry experts explore options to ramp up greening the digital DNA, in a series of panel discussions, at the inaugural Asia Pacific edition of the 2021 TCS Innovation Forum.

Sustainable Solutions

Moderating a panel on achieving green software, Sankha Som​, Chief Innovation Evangelist​, TCS, elaborated how the information technology industry silently adds to carbon emissions. Som, along with Keith Strier​, Vice President, Worldwide AI Initiatives and Chair, AI Compute Taskforce at OECD – OCDE, NVIDIA, and Vinod Kachroo, President, Innoveo,​ discussed the need to take a fresh look at sustainable software, innovative models, and approaches to tackle challenges. They also explored the potential of the latest low-code no-code paradigm, believed to be the next big thing in the world of development platforms.

M Vijayalakshmi​, Head – Business Transformation Asia Pacific​, TCS, moderated another idea exchange on green infrastructure, with panelists David Kemp, Director Infrastructure and Operations, Foxtel, and ​Ivan Chong, Head of IT and Digital, Celcom Axiata Berhad​. The leaders discussed data-driven analytics to assist in decision-making; reduction in energy consumption; creation and maintenance of ecologically responsible products and services; and circular economy, among other ways to move toward green infrastructure. 

People and the Planet

The panel on green action, moderated by Michele Lemmens​, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Business Sustainability​, Asia Pacific, TCS, consisted of Vanessa Evers, Director – Institute of Science and Technology for Humanity​, Nanyang Technological University​, Singapore, and Dr Isa Scheunpflug, Head – Automation Office​ and Group Chief Technology Officer​, UBS. They delved into how digital technology can be a great enabler for people and the planet in terms of increased accessibility, inclusiveness, diversity, reskilling, upskilling, mobility, and making sure no one is left behind.

The panelists agreed that the actions must positively impact employees, customers, and the community, as they shared ideas on how better outcomes are being facilitated and the role of different stakeholders in delivering innovation.