Bahaa Abdul Hussein is a Fintech expert and shares his experiences with his audience through his blogs. This time he talks about a slightly off topic – Sustainability of Big Tech.
Keeping the crisis of climate change in mind, the United Nations proposed the idea of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). Tech firms are expected to meet these goals, in hopes of driving innovation while reducing their damage to the environment.
Some of the biggest Tech companies in the world, like Google and Apple, have contributed greatly to the global economy. They have enhanced knowledge sharing, enabled digital inclusion, constructed the digital infrastructure and more.
However, these Tech firms are also accused of “Techlash”. Data privacy concerns, doubtful corporate management and questionable supply chain management reveal that big tech firms may not be sustainable.
Using Technology for the Greater Good
The top 5 big Tech firms in the world are align positively with the following SDG clauses –
- Education
- Economic growth and decent work
- Innovation, Industry and Infrastructure
- Sustainable cities and communities.
Being Responsible with Tech
According to the ESG Risk Report by Alphinity Investment Management, the big Tech companies stand as follows –
Environmental Risks
Generally, the tech industry poses less environmental threat than other sectors like heavy machinery and energy.
Social Risks
This refers to human rights violations and employee wellbeing.
Governance Risks
This implies an undemocratic system of governance within the organization.
Sustainability of Big Tech companies towards a common set of goals is in interest of protecting the environment, the surrounds and the resources. The goals cannot be achieved over night, hence the big tech companies set up a continuous improvement process with achievable goals year on year. This ensures the things move bit by bit slowly towards the desired direction.
All these efforts over the period of time yield results that are tangible and few of the results may be intangible, but benefits the larger section of the community. The big tech companies initiate many such activities as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility. The companies join hands at a global scale to achieve the Sustainable tech goals.
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