Today, younger generations are not only concerned about environmental protection and combating climate change, but are also taking meaningful action to change the future. For example, a recent IBM consumer study discovered that the pandemic has shifted consumer perspectives on sustainability. While people of all ages are looking for brands and retailers to help them shop more sustainably, Gen Z and millennials are leading the way, according to the research. In fact, roughly half of respondents in this age range are using greener transportation and changing their daily habits to reduce their environmental impact.
We believe it is critical to give back to populations vulnerable to environmental threats, which the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates to be 3.6 billion people, in order to help create a better future. IBM recently launched a global pro bono environmental program to assist non-profits and government organizations focused on assisting underserved communities impacted by climate change, extreme weather, and pollution. IBM is making technologies like hybrid cloud and AI, as well as an ecosystem of experts, available to assist these organizations in developing real solutions that will have a long-term impact in their communities. This creates a great opportunity for innovation in areas related to sustainability.
Environmental leadership must be a strategic imperative that companies place at the center of their mission to guide their day-to-day business decisions and operations. And, last fall, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), some significant steps were taken, uniting countries, businesses, and consumers behind an ambitious goal of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to limit global warming and achieve net-zero emissions.
Putting in place long-term efforts now will position us for a more efficient, resilient, and inclusive world. And it all starts with the community and enabling technology access to the community. This will help lay the groundwork for a more environmentally conscious future.
