Australian tech leaders urge measurable action on climate impact
As Climate Week turns the spotlight onto the urgent need for climate action, technology leaders across Australia are calling for a shift from passive monitoring to proactive, measurable impact. The growing role of artificial intelligence, data analytics, and systems optimisation in driving sustainability is emerging as both an opportunity and a challenge for organisations seeking to reduce their carbon footprints.
Australia's recent experiences with floods and heatwaves have underscored the necessity for more sustainable information technology. Rahul Tabeck, Country Manager and Sales Director for SolarWinds in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, highlighted the industry's responsibility during this period of introspection. "Australia's floods and heatwaves show why we must design, use, and retire IT with a lighter footprint. The fastest practical win is smarter systems. Consolidated observability replaces tool sprawl, cuts overheads, and shows what is really happening," Tabeck stated.
Tabeck emphasises that real-time metrics and AI-powered insights are key to optimising energy use in IT environments. "With real-time metrics and AI-driven insights, teams can spot issues early, smooth demand spikes and prevent power-hungry outages. Better data management turns telemetry into clear decisions that trim energy, stretch asset life, and cut costs," he explained. As sustainability comes under increasing public and regulatory scrutiny, he points to accountability as the new benchmark. "Stakeholders now expect climate promises to match delivery. Vague pledges are out. Transparent reporting and measurable results are in."
Indeed, stakeholders' expectations are rapidly elevating. Tabeck notes, "Businesses that act now will earn trust, reduce risk, and build resilient operations that use less energy. Cleaner tech is not nice to have. It is a competitive edge for a lower carbon future." The era of unfounded climate commitments may well be giving way to one in which measurable, demonstrable progress is essential not only for regulatory compliance but for maintaining a competitive business advantage.
According to Kyndryl's 2024 Sustainability Barometer study, the potential and pitfalls of using artificial intelligence for climate action are coming into sharper focus. Erandhi Mendis, Social Impact Leader at Kyndryl Australia and New Zealand, observes that while three-quarters of Australian organisations use AI to monitor energy usage and emissions, and just over half are deploying it to identify carbon reduction opportunities, "monitoring alone is record-keeping, not progress." Only 37% report using AI to predict energy needs, a shortfall that Mendis views as a lost opportunity for proactive emissions management and greater resilience.
Mendis explained, "There is untapped potential to use AI for forecasting demand and detecting inefficiencies in real time – empowering organisations to proactively manage emissions smarter, and build resilience." The intent to address sustainability challenges exists: the majority of businesses say it is a strategic priority. Yet, Mendis points out that only 17% have data-driven strategies required to unlock the full benefits of AI for climate goals. "Only 22% understand AI's own environmental impact. This imbalance risks trading one concern for another," she warned.
The double-edged nature of AI adoption highlights a new climate challenge – ensuring that the gains enabled by advanced analytics outweigh the additional energy demands of these technologies. As Mendis summarises, "responsible AI must accelerate sustainability, not undermine it."
Together, the insights from SolarWinds and Kyndryl suggest a pivotal moment for Australia's tech sector. Real leadership will require translating sustainability from intention and observation into action and accountability. For organisations, that means consolidating IT systems, adopting smarter data management practices, and deploying AI not just to monitor energy use but to predict, prevent, and optimise for a lower-carbon footprint. As climate risks intensify and stakeholder scrutiny sharpens, those who move beyond promises to transparent, measurable outcomes will shape the sector's role in a more sustainable future.