Kyndryl (NYSE: KD) the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, released the second Global Sustainability Barometer study commissioned by Microsoft. The research, conducted by Ecosystm, found that while sustainability has emerged as a strategic priority for most (70%) of organizations in the Philippines, almost half (48%) have experienced slowdowns in their sustainability efforts in 2024 and only 15 percent of employees consider sustainability performance a strategic priority.
While most (71%) organizations in the Philippines recognize the effectiveness of artificial intelligence in the adoption of sustainability initiatives, only 7 percent consider its environmental impact, with 67 percent admitting they fail to account for it.
“Sustainability is no longer just a goal—it’s a necessity. While many organizations recognize its importance, incorporating sustainability into business strategies remains a challenge. Technology, including AI, offers immense potential, but its full benefits won’t be realized unless we focus on making it more integrated and accessible,” shared Deon Del Mundo, Managing Director of Kyndryl Philippines.
These findings emphasize the importance of adopting balanced and environmentally conscious approaches to integrating AI into sustainability strategies. To maximize impact, consider these key principles:
-
Net zero commitments: In the Philippines, local organizations have launched various environmental initiatives to incorporate sustainability into their strategies, with the top three being net-zero commitments, carbon offsetting, and sustainable transportation.
-
Declining efforts: The research found that some sustainability efforts have declined since 2023, when renewable energy adoption, net-zero commitments, and environmental reporting were adopted in more than 60 percent of the country’s organizations.
-
Employee awareness: Employee awareness regarding sustainability remains limited in the Philippines. Less than half (45%) of employees demonstrated a basic understanding of sustainability practices.
-
Data integration: More than half of the study’s respondents identified that key challenges hindering AI integration include difficulties in data integration across systems, coordination among stakeholders, and limited data accessibility. Organizations in the Philippines should invest in and streamline data flow across departments, enabling faster decision-making, greater visibility, and ensuring sustainability initiatives are backed by accurate, real-time data.
-
AI-powered scenario planning: Integrating AI climate risk mitigation allows organizations to adopt a holistic approach to environmental responsibility, enhancing readiness for future challenges.
Matthew Sekol, Sustainability Global Black Belt at Microsoft, added, “Companies can gain the insights needed to deliver on their commitments and drive resilience by integrating sustainability data with operational and financial data, and using traditional data analytics and robust AI tooling to reshape operational efficiencies and foster sustainable innovations.”
Kyndryl and Microsoft provide actionable strategies for organizations to measure infrastructure baseline emissions and optimize AI architectures, including AI and machine learning models, to minimize energy use and reduce waste. The two companies work closely with organizations worldwide to ensure that technological advancements contribute positively to sustainability goals without compromising innovation.
“We’re seeing more ASEAN organizations, especially large corporations and conglomerates, make sustainability a strategic priority,” said Ullrich Loeffler, CEO & Co-Founder of Ecosystm. “AI is becoming a key enabler, helping businesses optimize resource use, minimize waste, and drive meaningful environmental impact. This momentum is set to expand across ASEAN as companies work toward building more sustainable supply chains.”
