Every year, we use Earth Day as an opportunity to come together and take action for a healthier planet – and reflect on our progress, too.

Recently, I had the opportunity to host a series of global webinars to cultivate this discussion at Avanade, bringing our employees, clients, and partners together to learn from and inspire each other. I wanted to leave you with a few personal learning points from these sessions:

Digital technologies such as generative AI have the power to enhance sustainability in profound ways. For example, AI can track plastic usage, identify alternatives, and improve recycling efforts, and the social sector can accelerate climate equity efforts through using qualitative data.
Green software is and should be part of Responsible AI.
Ad-hoc efforts can't help us to reach our goals. Sustainability by design should be the new norm that allows businesses and organizations to achieve their goals and create impact. In the future, Green Software will not be considered added value, but a standard that digital transformation projects will have to embed.
Inspiration sparks when technologies and frameworks are the tools rather than and not the means. Hence, employee engagement (through re-skilling and volunteering) and cultural change will be one of the new pathways to sustainability.

Last but not least, we should not forget that sustainability efforts will not be limited to a specific timeframe. There is no such thing as an endpoint when it comes to sustainability, and ' 'that's why each little step is counted and needed. The path to change starts with communities supporting each other on Earth Day and beyond.

Celebrating Earth Day at Avanade