Most of the respondents, both channel and end-user, worked for companies that are actively planning both an EDG strategy and carbon reduction plan. 60% of channel respondents said that their organisation already has an ESG strategy in place, compared with 63% of end-user respondents.
A higher proportion worked for organisations that harbour “firm plans” to reduce their carbon emissions (65% for channel and 68% for end users).
37% of channel and 34% of end-users have gone even further and set a carbon-neutral or net-zero goal – meaning that over 60% haven’t. Whilst this is positive, it exposes the progress still to be made in increasing the commitment of both channel and end-users.
The findings found that sustainability will be nearly as important a driver for how IT decision makers select IT suppliers as price, performance and cost savings in two years’ time (currently ranking 4th).
The study also found that the channel expects significant post-COVID growth opportunities related to sustainability. When respondents were asked whether they thought sustainability as key to the post-COVID recovery, 47% of channel and 57% of end users said they did.
Michael O’Hara, Group Managing Director, DataSolutions, said: “I’m delighted to see that most respondents from both the channel and end user community have started on their sustainability journey. Indeed, since we launched Techies Go Green last March, the awareness and interest levels in sustainability has grown dramatically. However, more action is needed, and we must all keep striving for change. Climate change is real and affects us all. We all need to play an active part in slowing it down and I urge the channel to lead from the front on sustainability before it’s too late – before your hand is forced.”
O’Hara continued: “Any business looking to make their operations more sustainable and achieve Net Zero can get paralysed into inaction due to the mountain of information and negative commentary around climate change. It is not easy to produce a plan and the reality is that it will take years for the vast majority of businesses to achieve Net Zero. However, the answer is continual education to build awareness and training geared towards companies. This will help a lot of organisations to get started and establish a strategy.”
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