Like every year, Gartner publishes its list of emerging technology trends that are expected to have a high impact in the near future. It is a list that is updated regularly to reflect changes in the technological landscape and that the sector takes as a reference.
In extensive market research and interviews with technology experts from around the world, the American consultancy projects technologies with the potential to transform business and society in the coming years. And this year, among others, it has included sustainable technology.
TECHNOLOGY MUST BE SUSTAINABLE
The emissions associated with technology have a high impact on the world and electronic waste is multiplying. Addressing both problems is crucial to, on the one hand, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and, on the other, promote the regeneration of ecosystems; two of the keys to achieving sustainable development.
For this reason, it is important that we adopt more sustainable practices to reduce the environmental footprint of technology, guaranteeing a more sustainable future for all and, at the same time, taking advantage of all the advantages that technological development offers us.
| PRINCIPLES FOR A MORE SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY | |
| Energy efficiency | Low consumption devices Systems with energy saving options Efficient technologies |
| Virtualization | Reduction of physical servers Automation of operations for greater efficiency Increase in yields to increase savings |
| Consumption reduction | Substitution of paper by electronic alternatives Modular devices to favor their repair Responsible management of waste and recycling |
| Emissions management | Compensation of generated emissions Transition towards renewable energies“Green cloud” or low carbon |
| Continuous optimization | Optimization of software and algorithms to make them more efficient Optimization of data and distance in the networks Agile development to implement continuous improvements |
NEW OPPORTUNITIES
Advances in technology usually make it possible to optimize costs, improve performance or boost productivity through automation, error suppression or agility in operations. Using sustainable technology we can obtain those same benefits, but in a more respectful way with the environment, both environmental and social.
By incorporating the sustainability attribute into technology, we can drive better results associated with ESG (environmental, social and governance) issues, benefiting the company and all its stakeholders: team, customers, suppliers and the environment.
By 2025, half of CIOs will work with performance indicators linked to sustainability. But the concept of sustainable technology goes far beyond more efficient, less polluting and higher performing information and communication technologies. In addition to these attributes, sustainability applied to technology also refers to its ability to obtain more sustainable results with its use.
Because sustainable technology carries the imperative to develop greener technologies, but also the possibility of using them as a lever to drive the sustainability of the operations of the company and customers. In this sense, according to Gartner, sustainable technology can generate opportunities in three key areas of companies:
- Technological operations, achieving maximum performance with minimum resources.
- Business operations, offering greater transparency and improving business practices.
- Operations with clients, supplying products and services that help their own sustainability objectives.
But, in addition, sustainable technology is a way of contributing to greater common objectives such as reducing global warming or slowing down the loss of biodiversity. There are already technological capacities that make this approach possible: some of them are somewhat novel (artificial intelligence, blockchain…), but above all there are tools and platforms that are already widely used, although with the twist of reducing emissions or energy efficiency (green or low carbon cloud, greenhouse gas management software…).
SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY THAT SUPPORTS THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY OF CONSTRUCTION SERIKAT participates in the European ICEBERG Project, immersed in the development of sustainable technological solutions that support the circular economy for construction materials. ICEBERG develops innovative circular reverse logistics technology tools and high-value secondary raw material production technologies to establish market confidence and acceptability of end-of-life recycled building materials. Integrated smart solutions are developed to improve smart demolition, a new digital traceability platform for construction materials that have reached the end of their useful life and an identification system based on radio frequency and QR. The project includes hyperspectral imaging, machine-learning software, and robotic manipulators to increase the classification efficiency of mixed aggregates.
*Gartner’s list of technology trends is a valuable tool for companies looking to stay informed on emerging technology trends; but also to take action and adapt to changes, taking advantage of the new opportunities that can open up in a constantly evolving world. Without a doubt, sustainability is a matter of the utmost relevance in the world of new technologies; and in the coming years we will see how the trend to improve the competitiveness of companies intensifies.
