As the Chief Information Officer at Avery Dennison, I've witnessed first-hand how digital transformation and technological advancements can drive efficiency and innovation. However, with the growing urgency of climate change, it's clear that we must also focus on sustainability in our IT operations. I'm proud to share that IT’s ambition is to work towards an environmentally responsible IT function.

The IT industry's energy-hungry data centers and electronic waste have a significant impact on the environment,  and as a large manufacturer, we have the obligation to lead the charge in reducing it.

Our Journey So Far

We began our journey by auditing our carbon footprint and identifying areas for immediate improvement. We've successfully reduced our data center's energy consumption through advanced cooling technologies and server optimization. Overcoming challenges like legacy systems tested our resolve, but innovative solutions and team dedication turned these obstacles into stepping stones.

Key Actions in IT’s Net Zero Ambition

Several actions are at the forefront of our Net Zero IT ambition:

• Energy-Efficient Data Centers: We've upgraded to more energy-efficient hardware and are exploring AI-driven energy management systems.

• Cloud Computing Solutions: IT is migrating to the cloud, which has significantly reduced our on-premise hardware requirements.

• Green Software Engineering: Our internal development teams and third-party developers are creating energy-efficient applications.

• E-Waste Reduction: Our operations now incorporate responsible recycling and disposal of electronic waste.

Avery Dennison sustainability experts have played an essential role in effectively implementing these actions.