“What would you do differently if you considered Planet Earth as your stakeholder?”

IT is often seen as a solution for a more sustainable world. But just like other sectors IT needs to reduce its own carbon footprint to keep our climate safe and stable. IT has a significant (and quickly growing!) environmental footprint – accounting for around 4% of global carbon emissions. The challenge is clear: how do we continue to innovate while reducing our environmental impact? This is what the “The Planet as a Stakeholder” initiative focuses on. Our aim is to create a positive impact on the planet by integrating sustainability into Agile practices and IT processes.

A New Perspective

Sustainable IT is about minimizing the environmental impact of our digital activities. This includes reducing energy consumption, optimizing infrastructure, and ensuring that applications are as carbon-efficient as possible. It also means considering the full lifecycle of IT products, from development to deployment, and even decommissioning. By making sustainability a core consideration in every decision, we can help decarbonize the world while continuing to deliver value to our customers.

Small Steps, Big Impact

One of the core principles of Agile is continuous improvement, and this applies to sustainability as well. Even small changes can lead to significant reductions in carbon emissions. Examples of small steps that Agile teams can take include reducing data refresh frequencies, cleaning up storage, and shutting down unnecessary environments. These actions, when combined across multiple teams and organizations, can lead to a substantial positive impact on the planet.

Empowering Teams

A critical component of this initiative is empowering Agile teams to take action. Many people feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of climate change, but “The Planet as a Stakeholder” encourages teams to start with what they can control. By conducting a “Planet Earth Retrospective,” teams can identify areas where they can reduce their carbon footprint and take immediate steps to address them. This process not only leads to environmental benefits but also shifts mindsets from a feeling of powerlessness to one of empowerment.

Visionary Leadership and Long-Term Goals

Becoming sustainable requires visionary leadership. Leaders must balance short-term business needs with long-term sustainability goals. This involves making tough decisions, such as prioritizing sustainability initiatives even when they may not have immediate financial benefits. However, the long-term rewards—both for the planet and for the organization—are worth the effort. Leadership plays a crucial role in creating a culture where sustainability is a priority, and where teams are encouraged to innovate for the greater good.

Building a Community of Practice

The journey to a sustainable IT landscape starts with a single step. By treating the planet as a stakeholder, we can align our work with the urgent need to address climate change. Whether you’re just starting out or already making strides in this area, there’s always more to learn and do. The key is to keep moving forward, taking small steps that lead to big change.

By sharing knowledge and experiences, teams can learn from each other and accelerate their progress. Whether it’s through workshops, sustainability sprints, or online forums, collaboration is key to driving widespread change. As more teams join this movement, the collective impact will grow, creating a ripple effect that reaches far beyond individual organizations. Together, we can make a difference—for our planet, for our future, and for generations to come.