Government and citizen digital experiences demand powerful technologies. In the quest to deliver exceptional digital experiences, we harness the power of cutting-edge technologies — computing, connectivity, infrastructure, AI and beyond. These advancements are the engines driving us toward a future of unparalleled efficiency and engagement. Yet, as we embrace these transformative tools, we’re also keenly aware of the environmental footprint they carry.
High-tech solutions require significant energy and resources, presenting a challenge as we strive to align with the nation’s commitment to sustainability and the pursuit of net-zero emissions by 2050. Indeed, a new Intel report called “The Sustainable CTO” found that 70% of tech leaders, including those in the public sector, believe a conflict exists between their organizations’ need for ever-increasing computing power and their need to make their IT function more sustainable.
This puts next-gen technologies at odds with federal sustainability mandates and the ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. Indeed, the same report found that 70% of tech leaders, including those in the public sector, believe a conflict exists between their organizations’ need for ever-increasing computing power and their need to make their IT function more sustainable.
But while technology is part of the problem, it’s also a critical part of the solution. Enter the Sustainable CTO — a new model of tech leader, one who can deploy technology to build a greener, smarter and more innovative agency.
Let’s explore three steps federal CTOs can take to lead the transformation of the IT function and drive sustainability in the agency.
- Use tech as a lever to reach net-zero goals
Between now and 2030, senior IT leaders predict that their organization’s computer processing power will increase by an average of 9%.
The challenge is ensuring that the IT function’s carbon footprint does not rise at the same rate. The role of the Sustainable CTO is to spearhead this initiative, integrating sustainability into the heart of service creation and innovation. Thankfully, many IT leaders are already thinking this way. In fact, 77% of respondents consider using technology to improve the environmental impact of the whole organization to be a top priority.
For example, more than six in 10 organizations prioritize energy-efficient hardware. Additionally, half of all respondents invest in new technologies such as Internet of Technology (IoT), robotics, and AI to reduce IT emissions.
AI can help optimize operations and support a sustainable business model. By using real-time data analytics, agencies can monitor energy usage across buildings and data centers, identify energy-saving opportunities, and oversee “indirect” emissions, such as supplier sustainability. AI also enables agencies to automate compliance checks and produce ESG reports aligned with federal mandates.
Other strategies include seeking green-accredited cloud providers, transitioning data centers to renewable energy, and switching from air cooling and direct-to-chip cooling to immersion cooling. It is important to optimize current technologies and work with vendors to extend their lifespan.
The anticipated results speak for themselves: 89% of IT leaders believe focusing on sustainability will drive service innovation, and 78% believe it can boost employee recruitment and retention.
- Get wider buy-in from the organization
The convergence of business, technology and sustainability in the federal government presents an opportunity for the Sustainable CTO to be a unifying force.
However, to achieve this, CTOs require the support of IT Operations (ITOps) teams and the wider business. Unfortunately, many senior IT leaders believe that there is a significant knowledge gap within the IT profession regarding sustainability and eco-friendly practices.
Closing that gap will require education. According to the Intel report, half of senior IT leaders say sustainability training for ITOps teams is one of the most significant factors for achieving net zero. These teams need the knowledge to devise strategies and understand where to focus resources and attention. For example, a technical architect who prioritizes security can incorporate sustainable architectures into the technology decisions they make.
Beyond IT operations, it is critical to share knowledge and interact on sustainability across the agency to promote the role of technology in achieving net zero.
- Establish metrics and reporting
One of the main challenges facing CTOs is demonstrating the return on sustainable investment.
Currently, IT measures optimization in terms of performance, namely speed and cost-effectiveness. However, annual federal Sustainability Plans require federal agencies to report detailed sustainability progress, results and cost savings.
This requires robust information management practices, particularly as environmental, social and governance (ESG) data faces greater scrutiny from regulatory entities.
Data from existing technology can also provide powerful insights that can help CTOs prioritize efficiency alongside performance to optimize operations and achieve net-zero success. For example, insights from pilot schemes or using digital twins can help CTOs identify inefficiencies and minimize waste.
CTOs must also demonstrate how energy-saving practices such as matching hardware to the right task, deploying power capping technology, and adjusting the types of processors used and the memory available are driving power cost savings and improving overall power usage effectiveness. Optimized performance per watt also supports AI workloads more efficiently — delivering powerful results with less power.
In addition to short-term gains, CTOs can realize longer-term savings on acquisition costs as they move to modern infrastructure. For instance, there’s no longer a one-size-fits-all architecture for the diversity of today’s data. Combining general-purpose resources with dedicated, use-case hardware can optimize performance, power and latency to meet specific application needs, reduce the data center footprint, and save energy.
Presenting these concrete results to the C-suite can guide optimization investments and help identify technologies that enable new services and innovations.
Stepping into the role of Sustainability CTO
The good news is that IT leaders are embracing the role of the Sustainable CTO: 84% of C-suite leaders say that the CTO has the potential to become the greatest driver of sustainability in the organization.
The journey towards sustainability demands not only technical expertise but also a collaborative effort and a commitment to long-term sustainability. With dedication, investment and a steadfast focus on sustainability, federal agencies and their technology leaders are poised to navigate the path toward net-zero emissions with diligence and determination.
Steve Orrin is Chief Technology Officer and Senior PE at Intel Federal.
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