Big data is the driving force behind the information revolution. According to estimates from IBM, we have access to 300 times the amount of information that was available in 2005, only 14 years ago. With the rapid pace of innovation ” accelerating with each passing year ” this information will prove invaluable.
Given the utility of big data, environmentalists have started to integrate these technologies to inform their initiatives. The capacity of analytics to enhance decision-making is appealing to many different types of organizations, beyond businesses. Big data has a diverse variety of applications elsewhere.
That said, big data has the potential to improve environmental sustainability even within a business organization. Companies can employ analytics to generate insights about their output and consumption, then use the information to adapt their practices and meet a higher standard of efficiency.
Here’s how big data has transformed environmental sustainability.
Big Data for Sustainability in Business
The corporate world can benefit from big data through optimized resource usage. As an example, the Italian tire company Pirelli has implemented SAP‘s big data management system, HANA, to optimize inventory. It assesses data from sensors in its tires to reduce waste, diverting defective ones from landfills.
HANA has additional applications, helping energy companies maintain their grids’ peak efficiency. The Dutch company Alliander uses the management system for this exact purpose, increasing its profits while minimizing its environmental impact. Other companies have seen similar success with big data technologies.
Even small improvements in efficiency can result in significant savings, a potential incentive for companies to reduce their waste. According to Paul Rogers, GE’s chief development officer, a “meager 1 percent improvement in efficiency in five major industrial sectors … can save $276 billion in the next 15 years.”
Beyond these savings, big data assists a business owner in understanding the end-to-end impact of their operations. They can now look at their raw material sourcing, product disposal and even employee travels, then determine the most effective way to reduce waste throughout the value chain.
Big Data for Environmental Conservation
As mentioned earlier, the capacity of big data analytics to enhance decision-making has broad appeal. Environmental organizations have employed these solutions to improve their practices and refine their methods. Many technologies now exist that support conservation projects, such as Aqueduct’s mapping tool.
With Aqueduct’s mapping tool, users can monitor and calculate water risk anywhere in the world, all from the comfort and convenience of their laptop. They can sort through parameters like quantity and quality, as well as regulatory issues ” a key piece of information with value for future initiatives.
Among the many benefits of big data for sustainability, its function in the enforcement of regulatory practices is also notable. Countries around the world can keep track of their emissions, reaching renewable energy goals as they raise standards of sustainability in all sectors, such as agriculture.
As context, it takes 2,000 liters of water to produce the food necessary to feed one person for a single day. The application of big data for agriculture is critical, given the average rate of resource consumption and growing scarcity. Big data will prove indispensable in managing the issue.
The Future of Environmental Sustainability
Companies and conservationists alike can employ big data to improve their practices. Whether you see the appeal in a management system like HANA or Aqueduct’s mapping tool, it’s clear that technology has transformed environmental sustainability. Moving into the next decade, it will continue to change.
Regarding these changes, it’s impossible to predict the precise way they’ll take shape. Even so, it’s fascinating to speculate how big data will affect sustainability in the future.
