Jen McCabe’s Post

The world is changing—rapidly. We’re in the middle of a sustainability transformation and a climate transition that’s reshaping how businesses work; we’re finding new value while building trust along the way.          The theme of this year’s #ClimateWeekNYC is “It’s Time”—and, to me, that means working better together, across practices and industries, while leveraging powerful technologies like AI to help our clients develop strategies that will lead the transformation to a more sustainable future.       Three things I’m interested in learning more about this week:        🤖 Intersection of AI x Sustainability: How can AI help accelerate a company’s path to net zero?       🌎 Sustainable transformation: How is tax driving change for a sustainable future? How do we integrate climate risks and opportunities into supply chain strategies?      📈 Growth: How are leading companies thinking beyond compliance and using ESG reporting to drive growth?        I’m looking forward to hearing the insights from these discussions, and how we tackle the biggest #sustainability challenges from decarbonization and energy transition, to reporting and growth. Let's make every climate action count! 🌱

Loved talking #AI and #sustainability today with Yahoo Finance's Laura Bratton at WebSummit LLC! Takeaways?   🌱AI is both a challenge and an opportunity. It can accelerate important research, enable the energy transition, and help organizations build resiliency against climate risk. It can drive cost-efficient and competitive operations, but it comes with its own environmental challenges that must be managed.  💡Companies can address this at every part of the AI lifecycle: choosing small, well-tuned models; sourcing clean energy; opting for AI-specific infrastructure; and picking high-value use cases; among much else. 🚀 or  📈There is an opportunity to be seized. Launched at Web Summit, our State of Sustainability Readiness report shows that 90% of surveyed organizations believe in the potential of AI to contribute to sustainability outcomes, though more than half (56%) are not yet taking action.   Read IBM’s new report on sustainability and business value in the era of AI here, and let me know if you are at Web Summit or will be at COP29 later this week!  

Sustainability Readiness Report

In our ongoing commitment to sustainability, we’re excited to share reflections after our recent event with leaders in the field. The conversations we had were not just insightful; they ignited a shared passion for tackling the urgent challenges we face today. The panel discussion focused on the current state of the climate crisis, highlighting the urgent need for immediate action. Our expert panelists warned that we are on a trajectory toward an “irreversible climate disaster,” with projections of 2.7°C rise in temperature by 2100. The potential consequences could include severe ecosystem disruptions and heightened social and economic instability. We discussed the challenges organizations face in their sustainability efforts and how digital collaboration and AI can help overcome these obstacles. Ethical considerations surrounding AI were also addressed, emphasizing an open-minded approach to leveraging technology for greater inclusion and productivity in sustainability initiatives. Through an engaging digital exercise on climate scenarios, we fostered collaboration and innovation to tackle these pressing issues. Together, let’s commit to driving meaningful change toward a sustainable future! Beth Gould Creller Stephanie Cárdenas Brendan Walsh Carita Mäkinen #Sustainability #AI

🌍 𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 $𝟮𝟬𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀? Despite a slowdown in overall corporate progress on climate issues, the climate leaders are showing us what’s possible when sustainability is taken seriously. Companies that fully embrace decarbonization are cutting emissions and costs, unlocking a powerful combination of financial and environmental benefits. ✅ 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: Most companies find that 10% to 40% of their emissions can be reduced at a net cost savings—proving that decarbonization is as much about improving the bottom line as it is about protecting the planet ✅ 𝗔𝗜 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆: Organizations using AI in their climate efforts are 4.5 times more likely to see significant benefits ✅ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 25% of companies reported annual decarbonization benefits worth at least 7% of their revenue The message is clear: the sooner companies act, the greater the rewards—financially and environmentally. Read more on BCG's fourth annual survey on carbon emissions: https://lnkd.in/eBVk3cDy #Sustainability #Decarbonization #NetZero #AI #CarbonReduction #ClimateAction #CircularEconomy

🌍Davos Takes - 2025: AI, ESG, and the Climate Crisis – Where Do We Go from Here? The World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025 wrapped up in Davos, bringing together heads of state, industry pioneers, and global changemakers. This year’s theme? 💡 "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age" – with a sharp focus on AI, ESG, and the climate crisis. 🔥 The Urgency is Real 2024 was a wake-up call. Climate disasters—from wildfires to floods—caused $3.6 trillion in damages globally. If businesses don’t act now, they face up to 7% annual earnings loss by 2035 due to climate risks. But Davos 2025 wasn’t just about discussing problems, it was about solutions. Here’s what stood out: 🌱 AI as a Game-Changer for Climate Action 💻 AI-powered data analysis is revolutionizing ESG reporting, making carbon tracking easier and more precise. ⚡ The energy sector is transforming—data centers alone could consume 1,000 terawatt-hours (TWh) by 2026, demanding smarter, decentralized grids. 🏭 Industries are getting more efficient, with AI reducing waste and boosting sustainability across supply chains. 🛑 But Ethical AI Matters AI’s role in climate action is undeniable, but governance is crucial. Davos leaders emphasized the need to tackle: 🔹 Algorithmic bias 🔹 Data privacy concerns 🔹 Equitable AI benefits across industries 🏢 Business Commitment: Talk is Cheap, Action is Key Despite over 50% of major companies setting climate targets, fewer than 20% are addressing broader workforce and community impacts. Why it matters? ✅ Sustainable businesses thrive long-term. ✅ Green transitions must include worker reskilling & fair supply chains. ✅ Economic growth & sustainability can, and must, coexist. ⚡ The Power of Short-Term Deadlines Long-term targets (like Net Zero by 2050) are crucial, but shorter goals create urgency. 🎯 Example: Fortescue’s bold move to eliminate fossil fuels by 2030 transformed its workforce culture. Employees knew change wasn’t somewhere in the future, it was happening now. 🌍 Reasons to Be Hopeful ? ✅ AI & sustainability are converging for real impact. ✅ Companies are recognizing that climate action = business resilience. ✅ Forums like WEF are turning dialogue into action. 💬 What’s your take? How do you see AI shaping sustainability in your industry?

With new regulations, higher consumer expectations, and the pressing climate crisis, sustainability is a major focus for businesses today. The second edition of The Global Sustainability Barometer study, commissioned by Kyndryl and Microsoft, explores how strategy, data, and AI contribute to achieving #sustainability goals and highlights the gap between organizational intent and action. Conducted by Ecosystm, the study demonstrates how integrating technology into sustainability plans can turn ambitious ideas into practical, data-driven strategies. Discover the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gijWwCQg #TheHeartOfProgress #ESG

With new regulations, higher consumer expectations, and the pressing climate crisis, sustainability is a major focus for businesses today. The second edition of The Global Sustainability Barometer study, commissioned by Kyndryl and Microsoft, explores how strategy, data, and AI contribute to achieving #sustainability goals and highlights the gap between organizational intent and action. Conducted by Ecosystm, the study demonstrates how integrating technology into sustainability plans can turn ambitious ideas into practical, data-driven strategies. Discover the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gJudcAN5 #TheHeartOfProgress #ESG

Gen AI will be key differentiator between winners and losers in the race to Net Zero - this is my #1 prediction for 2025. As the long term partners of some of the world’s largest corporations, I am witnessing how Gen AI solutions are radically transforming time-to-footprint reduction - up to 99% in some cases! Besides the AI wave, here are my top predictions for 2025. 1️⃣ Climate will remain high on CEOs’ agenda: "The Cost of Inaction: A CEO Guide to Navigating Climate Risk” by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and the World Economic Forum Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders found that carbon pricing could put up to 50% of EBITDA at risk for emission-intensive industries by 2030. Inaction will cost companies their business and invite heavy regulatory fines. 2️⃣Scope 3, Scope 3, Scope 3! Customers, consumers, and regulators are demanding greater transparency about Scope 3 emissions and reduction plan. This will require greater measurement, efficient supplier engagement and RESULTS! This will not happen without empowering Procurement teams. 3️⃣CSOs and CFOs will work more closely than ever. Decarbonization is resulting in $200 million in net benefits (CO2 AI + BCG Carbon Survey). The financial advantage of embedding sustainability in the long-term business plan cannot be ignored. 4️⃣The transition to the circulate economy is expected to unlock $4.5 trillion in GDP growth by 2030. Companies like Symrise AG, who are applying Circular Economy principles across their raw materials and product portfolio, will emerge as winners by moving away their raw materials from a “take-make-waste” approach. 5️⃣In 2025, equitable climate financing will be talked about even more. COP29's controversial $300B pledge falls far short of the $1.3T needed for developing nations to tackle the climate crisis that disproportionately affects them. I expect (and hope) there to be additional funding announced for climate justice. Tell me in the comments below if you see any other trends that will shape the future of sustainability? 👇🏼

A recent IBM survey highlights an interesting sentiment: 88% of business leaders plan to invest in technology to drive sustainable innovation. At the heart of this shift is AI, with 90% of executives recognizing its potential to positively impact sustainability efforts. These insights go beyond environmental impact, focusing on priorities like energy efficiency, operational resilience, and brand reputation. For manufacturers, sustainability isn't just about going green—it’s about creating smarter, more adaptive businesses capable of navigating global challenges and seizing new opportunities. The data shows we’re at a pivotal moment where technology, sustainability, and strategy converge. What steps is your organization taking to make manufacturing operations more sustainable and resilient? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how we can work together to drive meaningful change. Share your insights: https://lnkd.in/gVQpEUP7 #Manufacturing #Sustainability #Innovation