- The study highlights organizations’ ability to integrate sustainability initiatives into their corporate strategies, programs, and technology implementations across the Philippines
- While 71 percent of organizations in the country recognize AI’s effectiveness in driving sustainability initiatives, half experienced slowdowns in sustainability efforts, and only 15 percent of employees consider sustainability performance a strategic priority
Kyndryl (NYSE: KD), the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, recently unveiled the second Global Sustainability Barometer study commissioned by Microsoft. Conducted by Ecosystm, the research found that while 70% of organizations in the Philippines have made sustainability a strategic priority, nearly half (48%) have experienced slowdowns in their sustainability efforts in 2024. Alarmingly, only 15% of employees consider sustainability a core priority. Although 71% of Philippine organizations acknowledge AI’s effectiveness in driving sustainability initiatives, only 7% account for its environmental impact, with 67% admitting they overlook this critical factor.
“Sustainability is no longer just a goal—it’s a necessity. While many organizations recognize its importance, integrating sustainability into business strategies remains a challenge. AI offers tremendous potential, but its full benefits can only be realized if we make it more accessible and seamlessly integrated,” said Deon Del Mundo, Managing Director of Kyndryl Philippines.
Key Findings:
✅ Net Zero Commitments: Many local organizations have introduced environmental initiatives such as net-zero commitments, carbon offsetting, and sustainable transportation.
✅ Declining Efforts: Sustainability efforts have declined since 2023, when over 60% of Philippine organizations implemented renewable energy adoption, net-zero commitments, and environmental reporting.
✅ Limited Employee Awareness: Less than half (45%) of employees demonstrate a basic understanding of sustainability practices.
✅ Challenges in Data Integration: Over 50% of respondents highlighted difficulties in data integration across systems, lack of coordination among stakeholders, and limited data accessibility as major obstacles.
✅ AI-Powered Scenario Planning: AI-driven climate risk mitigation allows organizations to adopt a more holistic and proactive approach to environmental responsibility.
Matthew Sekol, Sustainability Global Black Belt at Microsoft, emphasized that integrating sustainability data with operational and financial information empowers companies to enhance operational efficiency and drive sustainable innovations through advanced data analytics and AI.
Kyndryl and Microsoft offer actionable strategies to help organizations measure baseline emissions, optimize AI and machine learning models, and minimize energy consumption. The two companies collaborate with organizations globally to ensure technological advancements align with sustainability goals without compromising innovation.
“We’re seeing more ASEAN organizations, especially large corporations and conglomerates, making sustainability a strategic priority,” said Ullrich Loeffler, CEO & Co-Founder of Ecosystm. “AI is emerging as a key enabler, helping businesses optimize resources, minimize waste, and create meaningful environmental impact. This momentum is set to grow across ASEAN as companies build more sustainable supply chains.”
