This environmental anxiety attack stems from the latest “Emissions Blindspots Report,” commissioned by Wasabi Technologies.
According to its survey of 1,200 executives across the UK, France, and Germany, 43 per cent of UK bosses are dodging emissions transparency, much like a tax bill, even though 62 per cent are apprehensive about a potential public backlash if those emissions turn out to be sky-high.
Naturally, the tech industry—home to the world’s most sanctimonious greenwashing—is now being scrutinised with extra scrute.
The research finds that while most companies nod obediently when asked if customers expect accurate emissions reports, more than half reckon full disclosure will drive their clients into the arms of greener competitors.
Innovation is also gasping for air. More than 82 per cent of UK companies believe dodgy emissions data is hindering their ability to innovate, which may explain why so many are promoting yesterday’s technology with today’s moral panic.
Meanwhile, 42 per cent admit to delaying investment in new equipment because they have no idea what impact it might have on the environment. Or perhaps more accurately, they suspect the answer is “not great” and would rather not know.
Scope 3 emissions—the sneaky kind that comes from a company’s supply chain and outsourced tech—are especially problematic. These account for the most significant slice of the carbon pie, but according to the survey, only two-thirds of European firms can say with a straight face that they’ve got a handle on their tech emissions.
The number rises slightly in the UK, where a proud 70 per cent think they’ve got it under control, which suggests 30 per cent are still fumbling around in the dark with a clipboard, looking for a black cat that is not there.
Naturally, blame is being deflected. Tech vendors are in the firing line, with 45 per cent of UK firms moaning they don’t get the full data picture and 47 per cent claiming the numbers they do get are about as trustworthy as a political party manifesto. Internal bungling doesn’t help either—42 per cent admit they haven’t got the staffing muscle to even analyse the data, let alone act on it.
Half of European firms say they wouldn’t work with a tech vendor that can’t provide credible emissions data. This means that many so-called “innovators” may soon find themselves locked out of lucrative contracts for the crime of not knowing how much CO₂ they’re emitting into the atmosphere.
IDC analyst Archana Venkatraman said the findings reflect industry-wide concerns over the quality of sustainability data and warned that companies need to verify their numbers or risk being left behind, presumably. In contrast, those numbers continue to contribute to the planet's warming.
Wasabi VP Kevin Dunn insisted things are improving—apparently, 95 per cent of UK businesses believe their data is more accurate than it was five years ago. Though, whether that means “slightly less embarrassing” or “now only 80 per cent wrong” wasn’t made entirely clear.
