In this section, we show how the implementation of IT by companies A to D assumes diverse roles in supporting various sustainability initiatives. We also emphasise the significant practices of organisations that are influenced by the adoption of IT. Each company has implemented various IT-driven solutions to enhance its environmental performance and contribute to a more sustainable future. These IT-driven initiatives encompass areas such as risk and control integration, cybersecurity compliance, smart technology adoption, energy efficiency, water management, sustainable agriculture practices, and green finance frameworks.
4.1. Company A and Company B
Table 2 provides an overview of the key sustainability practices that are enhanced through the implementation of IT. Company A is actively embracing IT to drive sustainability throughout its operations. In terms of renewable energy, the company is employing solar and wind power as alternative energy sources to power its activities, significantly reducing its carbon footprint. IT plays a vital role in enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of these renewable energy sources [
34,
35].
Company A has implemented a large-scale enterprise GRC solution to integrate and automate risk and control functions, enhancing monitoring, reporting, and alignment across various divisions. This technology-driven approach fosters greater trust in their processes and extends to cover Health and Safety, Business Continuity Management, Environment and Sustainability, and Internal Audit.
To ensure cybersecurity, Company A complies with the National Cybersecurity Authority’s Essential Cybersecurity Controls, incorporating technology implementation, policy development, and education for senior management and employees. It has also adopted the ISO 27001 standard for Information Security Management Systems.
Company A envisions its project as a smart destination, harnessing technology’s power to offer 52 smart services across 12 domains, including smart mobility, utilities, administration, healthcare, and buildings. Under the umbrella of the smart destination project, Company A has curated an extensive portfolio of investments that seamlessly integrate various elements, aiming to deliver an unparalleled tourism experience while minimising environmental harm. This holistic approach encompasses diverse sectors such as infrastructure development, security installations, retail, logistics, and even education. Augmented reality IT is leveraged to showcase tourism without endangering marine life or terrestrial habitats, allowing users to virtually experience the offerings in an eco-friendly manner.
Water management is another area of focus for Company A’s sustainability initiatives. By utilising cutting-edge IT, the company is optimising its water management practices to minimise water waste and enhance the effectiveness of water treatment and distribution. Advanced water treatment technologies are being implemented to reduce water consumption in operations while improving the quality of the water produced [
37].
Efficient waste management is another aspect where Company A leverages IT to make a positive environmental impact. By utilising advanced IT, the company is streamlining waste collection processes, reducing waste and emissions, and transforming waste into clean energy. This approach enables Company A to contribute to a circular economy while minimising its environmental footprint [
38,
39]. Company A is also employing IT to drive sustainable building design. By utilising innovative tools like building information modelling (BIM) and energy simulation, the company optimises the architectural design of its buildings for improved energy efficiency, enhanced comfort, and overall sustainability [
40,
41].
Through strategic partnerships, Company A has successfully pursued the development of zero-emission flights, recognising the aviation industry’s significant contribution to harmful gas emissions. By engaging in these collaborations, the company fosters sustainable tourism practices that prioritise environmental preservation. Company A is also pursuing hydrogen-electric powertrains, which have emerged as the most viable, cost-effective, and impactful solution to mitigate aviation’s adverse effects on climate change and air quality.
For sustainable performance management, Company A has developed a structured operating model incorporating pre-defined processes, targets, and KPIs enabled by technology and supported by data contributors from various divisions. It initiated the establishment of its baseline data in 2021, with plans to report on it in future sustainability reports.
The sustainability report of company A shows that 45% of the company is currently in the construction phase and that 75% of the project’s assets are on track to be certified by LEED or Mostadam. Company A is a leading example of a sustainable development project. The project is committed to building sustainable infrastructure and creating a sustainable tourism destination. Company A’s sustainability performance is improving year-on-year, and the project is setting an example for other projects around the world (see
Table 3).
Company B is utilising digital energy to drive sustainability in mining operations (see
Table 4). In one of SA’s largest oil fields, the company has implemented IoT technology to enhance process control mechanisms. By deploying sensors in the pipeline management system, the company can swiftly detect any potential leaks, ensuring the integrity of the operations. With over 40,000 sensors deployed across more than 500 oil fields, the company actively promotes energy efficiency in boiler consumption, optimising resource utilisation [
42]. Company B has also embraced machine learning in IT by employing artificial intelligence algorithms to stabilise oil production, leading to increased efficiency in the manufacturing process. This intelligent approach not only enhances operational performance but also contributes to a significant reduction in carbon emissions. By implementing these advanced technologies, Company B has developed effective digital transformation strategies, positioning itself as a market leader in sustainable practices.
Company B is actively leveraging IT to drive sustainability initiatives within the automotive sector. Company B collaborates with stakeholders to influence the design of new vehicles, focusing on developing innovative carbon fibre technology as a sustainable alternative to steel and aluminium. Additionally, it is striving for increased efficiency throughout the design and assembly processes.
The adoption of IoT sensor technology is driven by the investment data showcased in
Figure 1. Company B has allocated substantial resources to the development of data centres, emphasising the importance of data management in its sustainability initiatives.
Company B has established the Non-Metallic Innovation Centre in partnership with TWI Ltd. and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, located in Cambridge, UK. This centre serves as a collaborative hub, bringing together academics, technology organisations, material suppliers, pipe manufacturers, and leading Oil and Gas companies to expand the operational capabilities of non-metallic materials, ensuring cost-effective operation and maintenance in the industry. This strategic investment demonstrates the company’s commitment to leveraging digital solutions for optimal operational performance and environmental stewardship.
In its commitment to sustainability, Company B incorporates advanced IT to drive positive environmental impact through the implementation of carbon capture and storage solutions. This strategic investment allows the company to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the environmental footprint of its operations. Leveraging digital technologies, Company B optimises energy usage in real-time, identifying and addressing inefficiencies and reducing environmental impact. Company B has also recognised the significance of renewable energy sources and has invested in solar and wind power. This approach not only reduces reliance on traditional energy systems but also contributes to a more sustainable energy landscape. Company B also harnesses IT to manage its water usage, improving the efficiency of water treatment and distribution.
Company B acknowledges the vital role of technology in achieving emissions reductions at the required scale. With its substantial business size, even incremental advancements can have significant global impacts. It highlights the potential impact of CO2 curing technology in the concrete industry. By implementing CO2 curing in the global precast concrete sector, an estimated 63 million tons of CO2 could be recycled annually, equivalent to removing approximately 14 million cars from the roads each year. In collaboration with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Company B is working on developing CO2 curing technology for precast concrete materials, capable of storing up to 20% of CO2 in the concrete while delivering enhanced mechanical strength and significantly reducing curing time. This innovation results in a carbon footprint that is only one-third of that produced by conventional concrete. Field tests of this technology are being conducted in partnership with a local cement company.
As shown in
Table 4, Company B is not only making significant strides in reducing its carbon footprint but is also actively working to reduce energy consumption. These efforts underscore Company B’s dedication to promoting sustainability and minimising its environmental impact across various aspects of its operations.
4.2. Company C and Company D
Company C plays a crucial role in SA’s commitment to achieving “net zero” greenhouse gas emissions by 2060. To advance sustainability, Company C has established the Green Finance Framework, which serves as a platform to match its diverse sustainable projects with appropriate resources.
Table 5 illustrates how Company C utilises IT to drive sustainability within its investment portfolio. The company embraces technological advancements to integrate sustainable investing principles into its decision-making process. By leveraging advanced data analytics and incorporating ESG metrics, the company identifies investment opportunities that align with its sustainability objectives [
43,
44]. Company C recognises the importance of energy efficiency technologies in promoting sustainability and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Consequently, the company actively invests in such technologies, contributing to the development and expansion of renewable energy sources. Energy efficiency is also achieved through the installation of energy-efficient technologies and products, such as LED lighting, resulting in at least a 30% increase in operational energy efficiency. The company also deploys wireless technologies to enable real-time responses to energy demand, implementing smart city systems, smart building management systems, telecommuting systems, and smart grids.
In pursuit of sustainable management of natural resources and land use, Company C invests in agricultural technologies that promote water rationalisation, improved production efficiency, and environmental preservation. This includes activities for measuring, monitoring, reporting, and verifying emissions reductions. The company also conducts research and development in ruminant feed to reduce methane emissions and explore alternative meat and dairy products. Capacity building and education services on low-carbon agricultural practices further enhance their sustainability efforts.
In addition to investing in agricultural technologies, Company C focuses on sustainable infrastructure projects that foster both economic development and environmental sustainability. By utilising IT, the company identifies and evaluates investment opportunities in the infrastructure sector. Company C emphasises sustainable water management by investing in projects and infrastructure that enhance water-use efficiency, including water recycling and reuse projects, water-saving systems and technologies, and water metering. Their commitment extends to desalination plants with a carbon intensity below 100 gCO2e/kWh over the residual asset life, operating on reverse osmosis technology powered entirely by renewables.
IT enables the company to monitor the sustainability performance of its infrastructure portfolio, ensuring ongoing alignment with its sustainability goals.
In Company D’s 2021 Sustainability Report, it was reported that the company successfully reduced its carbon footprint by 8% in 2021 compared to the previous year. This achievement was a result of the company’s commitment to sustainability, reflected in seven key areas of focus: Expanding Access to Technology and Connectivity, Enhancing Economic Impacts, Advancing Digital Opportunities, Doing Business with Integrity, Enriching Lives and Experiences, Caring for the Environment, and Empowering People.
One of the significant strides in sustainability was made through championing technology for the greater good and forming partnerships across the GCC and beyond. This focused effort placed ESG considerations at the forefront of Company D’s operations.
As shown in
Table 6, Company D uses IT to drive sustainability in its operations. To enhance energy efficiency and minimise greenhouse gas emissions, the company employs digital technologies to optimise energy usage in real-time and address inefficiencies proactively. This approach not only reduces energy waste but also contributes to a significant reduction in the company’s carbon footprint. The sustainability of data centres is a priority for Company D due to its critical role in its operations. By leveraging innovative technologies such as virtualisation, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence, the company optimises data centre performance while concurrently reducing energy consumption and waste. Company D extends its commitment to sustainability to its network infrastructure and supply chain. To build a green network, the company adopts IT-driven solutions that diminish the environmental impact while enhancing network performance and reliability. This includes utilising energy-efficient network equipment, deploying low-emission vehicles, and implementing efficient cooling systems to minimise its overall carbon footprint. In its supply chain, Company D employs digital technologies to promote sustainability. By optimising supply chain processes and reducing waste, the company effectively minimises the environmental impact of its operations. For instance, the company utilises digital platforms to monitor the sustainability performance of its suppliers, enabling the identification of areas for improvement and fostering more sustainable practices throughout the supply chain.
To reduce energy consumption, Company D implemented energy-optimising practices like Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) technology and Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) for efficient flow control in secondary chilled water pumps. Additionally, it embraced solar energy, steadily increasing its usage throughout its HQ premises. In 2022, two solar-powered sites were operational, and five were under construction, with plans for nine sites to be operational in 2023. These solar initiatives are projected to generate an average annual energy generation of 7 GWh, with a total installed capacity of over 4.3 MW.
The company initiated the “Go-Green” campaign in 2022, focusing on enhancing green technology practices, IT resource reclamation and re-use, energy consumption reduction, and obtaining the 14,001 Environmental Management System certification. As part of this initiative, Company D reduced paper consumption significantly through its “go paperless” program, achieving a 55% and 91% reduction in paper usage compared to 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Company D’s digitisation efforts have also contributed to sustainability. By introducing eSIM technology to replace physical SIM cards, it saved on plastic, CO2 emissions, and logistical complications. Over 1.2 million eSIM cards were newly issued through their application in 2022, demonstrating the success of this sustainable approach.
In line with its commitment to healthcare accessibility, Company D continued to provide e-health services, including virtual clinics, remote medical consultations, and healthcare connectivity. Its new Holo Doctor service utilised Holoportation technology, enabling lifelike patient-doctor interactions through 3D projections.
Company D improves its sustainability from year to year by using IT, as shown in
Table 6. In 2022, Company D successfully reduced its total electricity consumption for all buildings by 16% due to the energy efficiency initiatives carried out in the previous year. Although there was a slight increase in diesel consumption, this was mainly due to the higher demand for shuttle bus services in the HQ complex. However, Company D managed to achieve a 7% decrease in petrol consumption. To lower its carbon footprint, Company D actively explored energy-saving opportunities within its exchanges, leading to the implementation of innovative solutions that optimised energy consumption. Remarkably, all these improvements were achieved without any capital expenditure (CAPEX) and contributed to an 11% reduction in energy consumption at the exchanges compared to 2020.