Inside IBM's sustainability strategy with Justina Nixon-Saintil

It’s a sad truth that many companies are struggling or failing to meet their sustainability targets. Sensitive to anti-ESG pressure, interest rates, and other macro factors, many are also holding back from making new commitments. Currently, less than 10% of the Fortune Global 500 has a net zero commitment in place. 

Amidst this context, it's all the more important to shine a light on the companies that have made ambitious targets and that are working hard to achieve them. 

IBM is one such company. They began disclosing their CO2 emissions 30 years ago, and since 2010, they’ve cut emissions by nearly 70%. That’s not to say their path is without challenges. They’ve made a big bet on AI, which of course drives up energy usage dramatically. 

To understand IBM’s sustainability strategy and progress, I was pleased to sit down with IBM Chief Impact Officer Justina Nixon-Saintil. Justina is a member of NationSwell, the executive membership network where I work. We talked about Justina’s background and role, the main focus areas for sustainability at IBM, some of their successes and challenges, how AI factors into the mix, their sustainability accelerator program, and much more. 

If you’re interested in how big companies think about the climate crisis and how they can make a difference, there’s a lot to enjoy this episode. Here we go.

On today's episode, we cover:

• [3:23] Justina’s background & what led her to her current role at IBM
• [6:06] Justina’s role, responsibilities & things she’s thinking about everyday
• [8:59] The pillars & priorities of IBM's sustainability strategy
• [10:29] The approach to influencing those stakeholders
• [12:46] Challenges being faced and the gap between companies & their targets
• [14:36] Challenges in reaching your decarbonization goals
• [16:19] AI & sustainability
• [19:31] IBM Sustainability Accelerator: Focus areas & what’s new
• [22:44] Organizations that have joined the accelerator & how they’re benefiting
• [25:07] The struggles & challenges that organizations are facing
• [27:23] Other climate tech spaces where Justina sees an opportunity for AI
• [28:09] IBM SkillsBuild: About the program & priorities
• [32:25] Advice for addressing climate change & other environmental challenges today

Resources Mentioned

• IBM Impact: Environment
• IBM Sustainability Accelerator
• IMB SkillsBuild

Connect with Justina Nixon-Saintil

• Connect with Justina on LinkedIn

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• On Twitter

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