Do you talk “Religitics?” Religitics (Rē-Lĭdg’-ĭ-tĭcs) is my word for discussing religion or politics in mixed company. Mark Twain probably said it most eloquently when he compared man’s reasoning to worse than a monkey’s when those topics come up.
We can now add climate change to that list.
Lately, it seems that we can’t get through a season without a new record extreme or storm. Hurricanes, tornados, heat waves, snowstorms, freezes, mudslides, earthquakes, and wildfires don’t seem to surprise us anymore. Because of this, organizations are being more mindful of the resources they consume, the waste they create, and the damage they cause.
IT products and solutions are a big part of that equation, and manufacturers know that they need to make changes to be better stewards of planet Earth. While data security and privacy have spawned CISO additions to a corporation’s c-suite, we now see full ESG practices being formed in business to guide transformation across the company.
Dell and Dell EMC Storage, the largest IT infrastructure supplier in the world, is on the leading edge of establishing ESG policies and making it part of their corporate DNA. As part of Dell’s ESG strategy, they created the 2030 Moonshot Goals, which address environmental, social, and governance change.
Sustainable Materials, Community Outreach, and Corporate Governance
The “E” in ESG relates to a company’s environmental impact. This includes factors like carbon emissions, resource usage, and waste management. Investors increasingly favor companies that prioritize sustainability as environmental concerns continue to mount. Corporations adopting eco-friendly practices often attract a more conscientious consumer base, which can lead to long-term profitability. Dell’s 2030 “E” Moonshot Goal is, “For every product a customer buys, we will reuse or recycle an equivalent product. 100% of our packaging and over 50% of our product content will be made from recycled or renewable material.”
The “S” in ESG focuses on social responsibility. It encompasses aspects such as diversity and inclusion, labor practices, and community engagement. Companies that prioritize social well-being tend to enjoy a more positive reputation, which can help in talent acquisition, customer loyalty, and risk mitigation. Dell’s “S” 2030 Moonshot Goal is, “with our technology and scale, we will advance health and education through digital inclusion initiatives aimed at delivering enduring results for 1 billion people.”
The “G” in ESG pertains to corporate governance. It evaluates factors like board diversity, executive compensation, and transparency in decision-making. Strong governance practices foster trust among investors, reducing the risk of scandals and corporate mismanagement. Dell’s “G” Moonshot Goal is, “50% of our global workforce and 40% of our global people leaders will be those who identify as women.” Dell has been on a workforce transformation for the last few years and continues to make changes for their long-term plans.
Energy Efficiency in the Data Center
As moonshots, these will require lots of smaller steps to achieve over the next 7 years. These changes can already be seen in Dell’s server and storage products. The newest PowerEdge Servers contain built-in energy management capabilities, reducing energy consumption while enhancing operations. Dell embeds 70% thermal sensors in each PowerEdge server, giving administrators the visibility they need to make informed energy usage decisions. Dell EMC Storage has more ENERGY STAR certifications than any other storage vendor. This shows Dell’s commitment to engineering energy-conscious designs across their portfolio.
Another way to reduce energy is in data reduction. Dell EMC PowerStore 1200 delivers up to 1.7x better data reduction rate (DRR) and uses up to 41% less drive energy than an equivalent competitive array. Dell also backs up their DRR claim with the industry’s most comprehensive guarantee.
The significance of ESG extends beyond ethical considerations. Investors now recognize that companies excelling in ESG factors are often more resilient and better equipped to navigate emerging global challenges. As a result, ESG has become a key driver in investment decisions, with a growing number of funds integrating these criteria into their strategies.
This investor focus extends to customer and supplier relationships. Most large organizations have added ESG principles in their vision and mission statements. Many have added policy and strategic goals that will hopefully enact change internally and externally. When making IT purchase decisions, choosing a supplier like Dell that aligns with your organization’s ESG values is becoming an increasingly important decision point and may tip the scales when solutions are seemingly similar in benefit and cost.
Sustainability Goals for the Future of Business
ESG is more than just a buzzword; it’s a paradigm shift in the way we evaluate businesses. Companies, like Dell, that embrace ESG principles not only contribute to a better world but also stand to benefit from a competitive edge, increased investor interest, and improved long-term performance. As the world continues to grapple with pressing issues, ESG will play an increasingly pivotal role in shaping the future of business and investment. While we will now be talking about ESG when making business decisions, can we still please keep out the “Religitics?”
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Learn more about Dell’s ESG & Impact.
Check out Dell’s ESG Awards and Recognition.
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