A leadership vision on sustainable IT

In this blog, I will give you an insight into Sustainable IT from a leadership perspective. Additionally, I will share my vision on the behavioural changes within an organisation that can enhance reaching sustainability ambitions.

Incorporating sustainability in an organization’s DNA requires more than just demands from top to down

The mission of Rabobank, “Growing a better world together”, embodies sustainability. When publishing ‘Our Road to Paris’ we acknowledged the threat climate change poses to society and the responsibility we, as an organization and the people that work in it, carry. We committed to taking on a frontrunning stance in our industry on realizing the objectives of the Paris Climate Agreement. Amongst other things, we promised to reach net-zero with our carbon emissions by 2050. Within our Innovation & Technology Office (CITO) we support this goal by focusing on reducing our carbon footprint at work through Sustainable IT. 

Our objective is to reduce our carbon emissions in line with Rabobank’s Road to Paris ambitions through the required knowledge, tools and measures. We, as an organization, recognize that the most success can be reached if the right foundation is in place. Such fundament primarily requires ‘leading by example’. From my position as leader, I can give the support teams need, but should also more broadly help and guide in getting sustainability incorporated in our way of working and strategy.

Additionally, the correct knowledge and awareness to understand the ‘why’ of a behavioral change, should be in place. For years carbon emissions of IT have been measured through a top-down approach, providing insights into the impact of large parts of the bank. However, I believe that if teams are enabled to track the effect of their own sustainable efforts, a top-down and bottom-up approach will complement one another.

The importance of leadership’s support

Today, everyone is confronted with the consequences of rising temperatures and climate change. Humanity shares the responsibility of changing their behavior to prevent further damage. I believe that leading figures in society should prioritize sustainability initiatives in every way possible as it is our obligation to enable sustainable behavior, beyond the ESG regulations that are making certain changes mandatory. Even more, with the growing footprint of Technology, Tech Leaders as myself, should particularly acknowledge the attention that is necessary to create the right eco-system, awareness and culture to reduce emissions at work. 

What drives me personally to give sustainability attention

I wish for my children, and their future children, to grow up and live a happy and healthy life on a safe and balanced planet earth. As many people my age, I do not want my behavior and that of generations before me to impact the tomorrows of youth. Knowing that it is possible to do something about the world’s current fast paced deterioration enhances my motivation to lead the change. If we don’t do it now, there will be no way back and inevitable suffering will become our destiny. However, we can still do something about this.

If you walk the walk, you’ve got to talk the talk 

To realize our ambitions my colleagues and I believe that ‘balance’ and ‘togetherness’ are important keywords. To empower employees in their work, they can spend10% of their workweek on topics they are passionate about. As such, many initiatives have been set-up on a variety of important subjects. Take for example team Wavemakers, who strive to incorporate sustainability in everything IT-related Rabobank does. Trainings are offered to create a knowledge- and awareness base, several assessments evaluate teams and their products on eco-design principles and custom tools are created to generate granular insights on the carbon footprint of specific features. It is important we give such initiatives podium to share their story and progress, to solve impediments and to leverage the great work they do on sustainability. Leadership should foster the eagerness and willingness we see people have, to act on this topic.

The start of a journey

Although we are well on our way to reach our ambitions, we are not there yet. We are spreading knowledge on Sustainable IT, but have not yet reached everybody within our organization. Tools to gain insight into our internal CO2 footprint are currently being developed. We are looking for talent that can empower us in reaching our net-zero goals which is why we need you! Everyone can and should contribute. Together we can make a difference in turning the trendline. Join us now and be a part of the change.