Executives link accelerated decarbonization to digitalization efforts, says new MIT Technology Review Insights survey

The report, “Digital technology: The backbone of a net-zero emissions future” is produced in partnership with Shell and draws on a global survey of 350 C-suite executives along with in-depth interviews with experts from firms including Accenture, Microsoft, Shell, and the World Economic Forum. The findings are as follows:

Digitalization is the backbone that will support energy transition. Despite differences across industries and regions, when asked to rank the top three ways (on a scale of 1 to 10) digital technology aids in achieving their decarbonization goals, executives have many expectations: optimizing efficiency and reducing energy and waste (scoring 6.8 overall); designing and optimizing carbon sequestration technologies (6.7); making sustainability data accessible, verifiable, and transparent (6.2); monitoring GHG sinks (6.6); and designing and optimizing low-carbon footprint energy systems (5.8).

For most industries, the main decarbonization lever is a circular economy. A majority (54%) of participants from all industries (except for petrochemical manufacturing) cite a circular economy as their dominant environmental sustainability goal. A circular economy minimizes waste with reduced consumption, increased efficiency, and resource and energy recapture.

Partnering with technology experts is how industries innovate with digital solutions. The most cited approach to adopting new digital technology is through vendor partnerships (31%). Executives are less likely, however, to emphasize the importance of open standards and data sharing across the supply chain to accelerate digital technology deployment, with only 16% identifying it as the top enabler.

Attitudes toward tech adoption and innovation vary by sector and region. Cybersecurity is the biggest external obstacle to digital transformation for decarbonization (58%). Construction companies are most apprehensive of tech adoption (78%), while metals and mining companies are less concerned (47%). Only 11% of respondents experiment with digital technologies early on in their lifecycle.

A digital culture is needed to understand and address the challenges of decarbonization. Effective systems and personnel, in addition to data availability, are needed for successful adoption of digital technologies. Leaders must create digital coalitions, inspire transformation, and emphasize the significance of technology integration.

“The entire global economy must participate in the transition to net zero,” says Laurel Ruma, global director of custom content for MIT Technology Review. “Creating a digital culture that fosters innovation and cooperation is key to achieving organizational sustainability goals.”

“The future of energy is decarbonised, decentralised, and digital,” says Dan Jeavons, vice president of computational science and digital innovation at Shell. “We believe open innovation is crucial to accelerate digital innovation for decarbonisation. But not every sector is yet convinced. We must work together to shift that mindset.” 

To download the report, click here.

For more information please contact:

Natasha Conteh

Head of communications

MIT Technology Review Insights

natasha.conteh@technologyreview.com 

For general enquiries: insights@technologyreview.com

About MIT Technology Review Insights

MIT Technology Review Insights is the custom publishing division of MIT Technology Review, the world’s longest-running technology magazine, backed by the world’s foremost technology institution—producing live events and research on the leading technology and business challenges of the day. Insights conducts qualitative and quantitative research and analysis in the US and abroad and publishes a wide variety of content, including articles, reports, infographics, videos, and podcasts. And through its growing MIT Technology Review Global Insights Panel, Insights has unparalleled access to senior-level executives, innovators, and entrepreneurs worldwide for surveys and in-depth interviews.

About Shell

We are a global group of energy and petrochemical companies with more than 80,000 employees in more than 70 countries. We use advanced technologies and take an innovative approach to help build a sustainable energy future. Built on more than 125 years of technological innovation, our company’s future performance largely depends on the successful development and deployment of new technologies and products, both physical and digital. Digitalisation is transforming the energy industry, by improving efficiency and safety as well as facilitating the use of renewable energy. We employ leading data scientists who unlock value from the data Shell has access to. Digitalisation helps us to reduce the emissions from our own operations, offer our customers low-carbon energy products and services, and redesign the energy systems towards net-zero emissions. 

Find out more on www.shell.com/digitalisation 

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