The media often chooses to make a general statement that IT's role in addressing sustainability objectives is limited to Green IT, or reducing the use of energy in data centers. While the savings can be substantial, the fact is that only 2% of all carbon emissions can be traced to this source. The use of IT lies in addressing the remaining 98% of carbon emissions! In fact, a recent report by the Climate Group, with supporting independent analysis by McKinsey, found that information and communications technology could reduce global carbon emissions by an amount five times larger than its own carbon footprint¹.

SAP can help companies address this opportunity. Faced with challenging and complex business processes to address sustainability, companies need and want a consistent and integrated business process to address sustainability initiatives. Not only is there a potential for an improved bottom line, but there's also opportunity to protect brand, while proactively managing risk and compliance.

SAP's solutions for sustainability can empower you to:

• Reduce compliance costs and business risk in the face of proliferating local, regional, and global regulation in the areas of people, health, and safety; product safety and stewardship; and environmental compliance
• Employ best practices in sustainability performance management, including risk management and strategy management, and engage stakeholders with visible and accessible analytics to protect and enhance brand value, market share, and market capitalization
• Optimize energy and natural resource efficiency of your company's manufacturing processes for reduced cost and emissions and leverage advanced metering infrastructure solutions for utilities to optimize customers' energy consumption
• Provide greater transparency in carbon management efforts to reduce the cost of maintaining a comprehensive carbon emissions inventory and managing regulatory changes
• Establish Green IT practices to architect and deliver business processes in the most energy-efficient way possible

¹ SMART 2020: Enabling the Low Carbon Economy in the Information Age, The Climate Group, 2008