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November 2023 Newsletter Recap: Road to COP28

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13 Dec, 2023

This post was originally published on Climate Links

November 2023 Newsletter Recap: Road to COP28
jschoshinski
Mon, 12/11/2023 – 19:56

Did you miss the Climatelinks November newsletter? We’ve got you covered. Please find a recap of the ‘Road to COP28’ theme below. You won’t want to miss this short list of top programs, resources, and blogs from the month. Subscribe to our newsletter today. Do you want to contribute to the Climatelinks community? Send us a resource, blog, or event.

From November 30 to December 12, the international community gathered at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Ahead of COP28, Climatelinks highlighted USAID efforts to address the climate crisis.

Fresh Blog Posts

Road to COP28

In the lead up to COP28, Climatelinks spotlighted eight of the 45 countries where USAID has a portfolio of climate change programs, partnerships, and expertise. The blogs illustrate how climate change is impacting each country and what USAID is doing to help them respond.

Investing in Our Collective Future – International Dispatch from the 5th National Climate Assessment

The International Chapter of the U.S. Fifth National Climate Assessment emphasized how many climate impacts seem distant even though they often significantly impact U.S. interests. Despite these challenges, responses to climate impacts, like adaptation and the global transition to cleaner technologies and economies, present opportunities for national security, economic growth, and sustainable development.

Read more. 

Reducing Tropical Forest Degradation while Improving Carbon Outcomes

Carbon emissions from tropical forest degradation, including timber mining, exceed those from deforestation. A new USAID-funded report highlights opportunities to avoid forest degradation and concludes it is time to start transitioning from forest exploitation to forest management that benefits workers, biodiversity, the climate, economies, and forest industries.

Read more. 

New Resources

Climate Basics Course

This self-guided, one-hour course introduces the basic concepts of climate science, defines key terminology for climate action, and explains why climate is relevant to development. Its ultimate goal is to provide USAID staff with a foundation of knowledge upon which to build as they implement the Agency’s Climate Strategy. 

Read more.

Opportunities to Reduce Tropical Forest Degradation and Mitigate Climate Change

This report provides an analysis of the current institutional, policy, and technical landscapes, challenges, and opportunities to adopting and implementing improved tropical forest management. It elaborates on under-considered options that can improve carbon outcomes from managed forests. 

Read more.

Climate Risk Management Spotlight

Regional & Country Risk Profiles and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Fact Sheets

This page houses regional and country-specific climate information in the form of Climate Risk Profiles and Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) Fact Sheets. Climate Risk Profiles summarize the climate stressors and risks that are most relevant to a Mission’s objectives. GHG Emissions Fact Sheets provide information that may be useful in identifying climate change mitigation opportunities.

Learn more.

Call for Content

Share your events and resources or write a blog related to an upcoming monthly theme! Check out our upcoming themes to see if your climate work aligns:

If your USAID-related climate change work relates to these themes, Climatelinks would love to feature your work and share your resources. Send us a resource or blog.

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Did you miss the Climatelinks November newsletter? Here’s a recap of the ‘Road to COP28’ theme.

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Tue, 12/12/2023 – 12:00

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Embedding environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks

Embedding environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks

Integrating environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks has become essential as businesses increasingly prioritise sustainability. IT operations contribute significantly to carbon emissions, energy consumption and electronic waste (e-waste). Organisations that embed environmental responsibility into their IT governance can reduce their ecological footprint, improve operational efficiency and strengthen their brand reputation.

Erica Smith, chief alliance officer and environmental, social and governance lead, Blue Connections IT, said, “Environmental stewardship supports financial performance, risk mitigation and brand differentiation. With rising energy costs, increased consumer demand for sustainable products and services, and growing pressure from investors and regulators, companies can no longer afford to overlook their environmental responsibilities.

“Poor sustainability practices in IT can lead to high operational costs, supply chain risks and reputational damage. Conversely, a proactive approach improves efficiency, attracts environmentally conscious customers and helps future-proof businesses against evolving policy and regulatory changes.

“Integrating environmental responsibility into IT governance integrates sustainability initiatives into decision-making systematically. Organisations can reduce waste, lower energy consumption and extend the lifecycle of technology assets while positioning themselves as responsible leaders in an increasingly climate-aware market.”

There are four key areas that present opportunities to embed environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks.

1. Device lifecycle management

A structured approach to managing the lifecycle of IT assets ensures devices are deployed efficiently, maintained properly and retired responsibly at the end of their useful life. Embracing a circular economy model, where equipment is refurbished, reused or ethically recycled, can significantly reduce e-waste and resource use. Companies that adopt this approach lower their environmental impact and unlock financial value by extending the lifecycle of IT assets.

Smith said, “Effective asset recovery strategies further support sustainability efforts. Integrating secure data erasure and refurbishment into IT governance policies lets businesses repurpose functional devices within the organisation or resell them to external buyers. Responsible e-waste recycling also supports companies to process materials ethically in instances where resale is not viable, reducing landfill contributions and preventing environmental contamination. The adoption of industry-certified data sanitisation methods also safeguards compliance with security and privacy regulations.”

2. Sustainable procurement

IT governance frameworks should prioritise the selection of technology vendors and partners committed to sustainable manufacturing, responsible sourcing and energy-efficient product design. This includes favouring IT hardware with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled materials and using minimal packaging. Additionally, employing Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) models optimises IT asset utilisation while reducing upfront investment and unnecessary hardware purchases.

Partnerships with sustainability-driven IT service providers can further enhance an organisation’s environmental impact. Working with partners that offer end-to-end IT asset management solutions, encompassing secure device deployment, certified data sanitisation and ethical recycling, simplifies the process of aligning IT operations with sustainability goals. Companies that prioritise environmental stewardship in their IT governance framework gain a competitive advantage by demonstrating their commitment to responsible business practices.

3. Energy consumption

Data centres, cloud services and enterprise networks require substantial energy resources, making green IT practices essential. IT governance frameworks should include policies to reduce consumption by optimising server efficiency, reducing redundant infrastructure and using renewable energy sources. Cloud providers with strong sustainability credentials can support carbon reduction initiatives, while virtualisation strategies can consolidate workloads and improve overall energy efficiency.

4. Employee engagement

Educating staff on sustainable IT practices, such as energy-efficient device usage and responsible e-waste disposal, creates a culture of accountability. Organisations that implement green workplace initiatives, such as responsible end-of-life disposal programs, reinforce their commitment to sustainability at all levels.

“IT governance must also align with corporate environmental, social and governance commitments. Companies can contribute to broader sustainability objectives by embedding environmental stewardship into IT policies, such as net-zero emissions targets and responsible supply chain management. Clear reporting mechanisms and regular sustainability audits aid transparency, letting businesses track their progress and demonstrate accountability to stakeholders,” Smith said.

Government regulations and evolving industry standards are increasingly shaping the sustainability expectations for organisations. Aligning IT governance frameworks with best practices for environmental stewardship keeps companies ahead of regulatory requirements. Proactive adoption of sustainable IT practices positions businesses as industry leaders in environmental responsibility.

Smith said, “Integrating environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks is not just about meeting compliance obligations; it’s about futureproofing company operations and prioritising the broader environment. Taking a proactive approach to sustainability lets organisations drive efficiency, reduce long-term costs and contribute to a healthier planet. Businesses that lead in sustainable IT governance will be well-positioned for long-term success as environmental concerns continue to shape consumer and corporate priorities.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Petmal

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