As the urgency to combat climate change intensifies and technology rapidly evolves, the link between tech and sustainability grows stronger. Leaders and organizations are increasingly focusing on these pressing concerns, harnessing technological advancements to drive sustainable solutions and create a positive environmental impact.
With sustainability continuing to climb the agenda for CIOs and IT leaders, the field is seeing a growing number of thought leaders shaping the industry.
To make it easier for you, we’ve pulled together a list of just 8 leaders in the space who offer unique insights and solutions to tackle the climate crisis from a technology and IT perspective.
Jen Huffstetler - Chief Product Sustainability Officer, VP & GM Future Platform Strategy at Intel and Committee Member at Green Software Foundation.
With the adoption AI in the IT industry showing no signs of slowing down, the need to tackle the challenges regarding sustainability has never been more critical. Jen’s insights provide great guidance for IT organizations looking to address the concerns.
She is a leading industry voice on sustainable computing and speaks extensively on the intersection of AI, energy, and sustainability, offering valuable perspectives on how to build sustainable AI solutions.
Bill Weihl – Founder and Chief Strategic Advisor at ClimateVoice, Former Director of Sustainability at Facebook and the Green Energy Czar at Google.
Through his work, Bill has emphasized the role of IT in achieving broader environmental goals, promoting sustainable practices within tech companies, and leveraging IT infrastructure to support climate action.
He has played vital roles in driving sustainability initiatives at major tech companies, focusing on renewable energy use and reducing carbon footprints. Through founding ClimateVoice, Bill leads the efforts to encourage corporate climate action.
Sophia Kianni – Founder of Climate Cardinals and youngest UN Advisor.
Sustainability is only as effective as the education that supports it, especially in today’s tech-driven world.
Well known for her TED Talk, "Language shouldn’t be a barrier for climate action," Sophia Kianni is a climate activist with the goal of making climate change education accessible to everyone. Now, at just 22 and founder of Climate Cardinals, Sophia is a remarkable role model for the younger generation, showcasing how we can leverage technology to drive meaningful change and promote a sustainable future for all.
With the next generation and future of work becoming a prominent topic, make sure to follow Sophia to stay up to date.
Niklas Sundberg - Chief Digital Officer (CDO) & Senior Vice President at Kuehne+Nagel. and Member of the Board of Directors at SustainableIT.org.
Niklas is a passionate Sustainable and Green IT advocate; he currently leads a team of IT professionals to drive sustainable digital transformation at Kuehne+Nagel.
With the lack of literature available on the topic of sustainable IT, Niklas was inspired to write his book "Sustainable IT Playbook for Technology Leaders" to educate, engage and activate other technology leaders to get started with their sustainable IT journey.
He regularly shares his own thoughts sustainability, digital transformation, and the role of IT in addressing climate change on LinkedIn. Check out his profile to follow his journey.
Lubomila Jordanova – CEO and Founder of Plan A, and Co-Founder of Greentech Alliance.
A familiar face on The DEX Hub, Lubomila first joined The DEX Show in 2022 and has since continued to make significant contributions to the industry. One of her latest resources, ‘The Green Career Digest Monthly’ newsletter, is a must read for those wanting to find job openings, career tips, and industry insights in ESG and sustainability.
If you want to learn how technology can be used to counteract environmental damage and bring us together for a greener future, listen to Lubomila’s episode on the DEX Show.
Sheri R. Hinish – Senior Partner, Global Consulting Solutions, Technology and Eco-systems Leader at EY, formerly at IBM.
Sheri’s forward-thinking approach has led her to be known as the ‘Supply Chain Queen”. She is a prominent thought leader in sustainability-led business transformation. Emphasizing the crucial role of sustainable supply chains in meeting organization-wide goals and commitments, and promoting the use of IT, and technology in driving innovation.
Sheri is dedicated to increasing visibility around the importance of innovation and responsible practices in supply chains, advocating for their fundamental role in driving sustainable change across industries.
Nina Schick – Founder & CEO at Tamang Ventures, Author and Adviser.
Sustainability goes much further than solely going green, it considers every dimension of the business environment.
Although Nina does emphasize the role of AI in driving environmental sustainability, much of her approach differs from that of other sustainability thought leaders in this list. Her work offers a unique perspective to sustainability and is centered on the principles of responsible AI.
Follow Nina for insights into how AI can be used in a sustainable way to transform business, geopolitics and humanity.
Adam Elman – Sustainability Lead at Google, former Director/Head of Sustainability at Amazon.
Last on the list is Adam Elman who leads the sustainability efforts for EMEA at Google. He is responsible for coordinating both real-world and digital infrastructure teams, from real estate and supply chains to data centers and products. He is passionate about creating a more sustainable and inclusive future for everyone.
Follow Adam to gain actionable insights tailored for both individuals and organizations. He regularly shares practical advice, including roundups of sustainability and ESG job opportunities, helping those eager to enter or advance in the sector.
---
As the topic of sustainable IT gains the spotlight it deserves, many great thought leaders have now appeared in the space. We hope the list above helps you discover valuable perspectives to guide and inspire your own journey with sustainability.
By making small changes today, we set the precedent for technology that enables a sustainable future for all.