CSR And Digital Transformation

500 students share one computer in Niger. Yet they're conducting advanced physics experiments that students at elite schools can't access. The secret? WebAR turning basic smartphones into portable STEM labs. Think about that. In Sub-Saharan Africa, fewer than 10% of schools have internet. Student-to-computer ratios hit 500:1. Yet mobile subscriptions jumped from single digits to 80% in a decade. Students already carry the infrastructure—we just weren't using it right. Traditional EdTech Reality: ↳ VR headsets: $300+ per student ↳ Heavy apps requiring 5G speeds ↳ Labs costing millions to build ↳ Rural schools: permanently excluded The WebAR Revolution: ↳ Runs in any browser, optimized for 3G ↳ No app store, minimal storage ↳ Science scores improving 10-15% ↳ Every smartphone becomes a laboratory But here's what grabbed me: A physics teacher in rural South Africa has one broken oscilloscope. No budget. Her students scan printed markers, and electromagnetic fields pulse across their desks. They run experiments infinitely—no equipment damaged, no reagents consumed. One student told her: "Engineering is for people like me now. The lab fits in my pocket." What changes everything: ↳ Mobile-first matches actual connectivity ↳ Browser-based works offline ↳ Teachers need training, not new buildings ↳ Inequality becomes irrelevant The Multiplication Effect: 1 teacher with markers = 30 students experimenting 10 schools sharing content = communities transformed 100 districts adopting = educational equality emerging At scale = STEM education without infrastructure gaps We spent decades waiting for labs that won't arrive. Now any browser becomes one. Because when a student in rural Africa explores the same 3D molecules as someone at MIT—using the phone already in their pocket—you realize: WebAR isn't shiny technology. It's a quiet equaliser making world-class STEM education fit into 3G connections and $50 phones. Follow me, Dr. Martha Boeckenfeld for innovations where accessibility drives transformation. ♻️ Share if you believe quality education shouldn't require perfect infrastructure.

I entered the sustainability field to build a resilient future for people and the planet - not to wrestle with manual spreadsheets. But as many of us in this space have discovered, the time-consuming logistics of reporting are often a barrier to real progress. At Google, we’ve spent the last two years using our own environmental report as a testing ground for a better way. By leveraging Google Cloud tools to automate data ingestion and claim validation, we’ve shifted from weeks of manual data cleaning to on-demand strategic insights. These technologies don’t replace our experts. Instead, they free our team to focus on strategy and execution rather than repetitive, time-consuming data collection and validation. We’re already seeing how other companies can use these tools to make similar shifts. For example, Equinix moved from manual tracking to a system that collects data from 240+ global sites automatically. Learn more about how Google Cloud is helping sustainability teams spend more time on strategy, not spreadsheets. ⤵️ https://goo.gle/4scTUfR

Wrapped up my latest visit to New York City, and it reaffirmed a vital truth: the iconic skyline, while breathtaking, also represents a significant carbon challenge. As buildings contribute over two-thirds of NYC's emissions, their transformation is crucial to achieving the ambitious 2050 goal of an 80% reduction.   Digital technologies offer a feasible and cost-effective solution. Consider these numbers:   Digital building management alone can achieve 42% emission reduction in offices, with payback periods of less than three years. Electrification and microgrids with renewable energy sources can further reduce emissions by 28%.   The combined impact? 70% reduction in operational carbon emissions. Achievable today, with a quick return on investment.   Now, imagine the impact at scale: New York City's iconic skyline, gleaming with clean energy. Let's make it a reality.

Let's take a look at Bielefeld’s Obersee in Germany where we can learn more about effective environmental monitoring using a smart IoT system. From this lake, data like water quality, air conditions, and CO2 levels are being measured. This data is now captured and analyzed 24/7 via LoRaWAN technology, ensuring real-time monitoring. Doing that, one particular challenge is to prevent the risk of the shallow (2.50 meters deep) lake tipping over, especially during hot periods. Exactly this is happening right now at Paris Summer Olympic Games. The river Seine is too polluted and thus, prevents Triathlon and long distance swimming competitions to take place as planned. Was that predictable? Hard to say from a distance. But this is the intention of collecting all relevant data from Bielfeld's Obersee. The collected measurements from the lake and its surroundings serve to regulate artificial aeration. When negative values are detected in the lake, the aeration system activates at specific points to supply oxygen to the fish and therefor stabalize delicate balances in that ecosystem. To realize this application, we used a Smart City Box which includes: • PLCnext Control: Enables sensor diagnostics and in future ventilation control.   • LoRaWAN Gateway: Facilitates wireless transmission of sensor data around the Obersee.   • grovez.io: A web-based IoT platform making real-time and historical data visualization available for all stakeholders   • Cloud-to-Cloud Integration: Data accessible from the central MQTT broker.  This means the Smart City Box powered by PLCnext Technology ensures effective measures for sustainable environmental protection through the integration of decentralized sensors with various interfaces. These sensors provide real-time transparency into environmental data, including water turbidity and oxygen levels. Open interfaces, accessible even at the cloud level, allow data provision to all stakeholders. Additionally, automated and demand-oriented aeration control eliminates the need for manual measurements, resulting in energy, cost, and resource savings. Please let me know if you have any questions about this application. Can you imagine other applications for the IoT technologies used at the Obersee in different environmental conservation scenarios?  #lorawan #internetofthings #iiot #plcnext #cleantech #sustainability #smartcities

Rethinking Africa’s Connectivity Model: From Scarcity → Abundance 1️⃣ First: Listen to the Market. Africa is Not a Monolith. Nigeria ≠ Ghana ≠ Kenya. The continent is connected, yet deeply local. Look at Nigeria: Despite income levels, our aspirational culture pushes early adoption. It’s why we embraced mobile data and GPRS before many expected. Look at Ghana: SIM penetration has exceeded 100% since 2013 because people have used multi-SIM lifestyles to solve network frustration. Look at West Africa last year: A single subsea fibre cut took down half the region, proving how connected we all are. How we need redundancy, resilience, and continental-scale infrastructure thinking. Africa is connected—just not equally. 2️⃣ Build Infrastructure for African Realities This next phase will require more than the old formula of “government over here, private sector over there.” The future is co-creation, joint risk, and hybrid infrastructure financing. We did it before: Africa leapfrogged fixed lines and built one of the most powerful mobile ecosystems in the world— with mobile operators holding bigger agent networks and cash flows than many banks. We can leapfrog again. 3️⃣ Innovate Business Models… Not Just Technology If we want to connect the next 800 million, we can't keep using the old playbook. It might be time to explore: Sponsored access → Browse free after watching an ad. Device-as-a-service → Smartphones paid monthly via Ajo / Esusu model. Community networks → Local infra owned by local cooperatives. Micro-payments for micro-access → Not everyone needs unlimited bundles. If Africa’s consumers are creative, our business models must be too. 🔚 In Closing: Shift The Narrative The real mission is not just connecting the unconnected. It is empowering the under-connected. It is ensuring that digital prosperity reaches every home, every school, every community, no matter the latitude or socio-economic bracket. This is how Africa builds abundance. This is an excerpt of the paper I presented at the IEEE CTU-EMEA Summit 2025 What is one new or interesting business model you think can work for connecting our rural or underserved areas?

This year's International Day of Persons with Disabilities recognizes the important role that persons with disabilities play in creating a more #inclusive and sustainable world for all. Very recently, I had a chance to meet with Rick Blair, the leader of the Digital Accessibility program at Schneider Electric. Rick, who is blind, is an amazing advocate for accessibility standards and an inclusive mindset. His efforts are crucial in helping our digital product teams enhance their skills to comply with new accessibility regulations and our global commitment to disability inclusion for all.  Our conversation was focused on the critical role of accessibility in our digital transformation journey. Accessibility isn't solely the responsibility of designers, developers, or product managers—it's a shared duty that impacts the user experience for all, particularly those with disabilities. I urge everyone in my network to proactively enhance their knowledge in digital accessibility. By doing so, we can create a digital landscape that is inclusive and accessible to everyone. As we celebrate the #IDPD 2024, I want to say that I'm grateful for colleagues like Rick and so many other persons with disabilities who play an active role in creating a more inclusive and sustainable world - after all, they are not doing this for themselves alone, but for everyone.  To learn more about our commitment to build a more inclusive culture, read our blog: https://lnkd.in/e7Cw_UJz #DigitalAccessibility #DigitalTransformation

I’ve been reflecting on how we often consider future skills, digital transformation, or STEM careers without addressing a hard truth: socioeconomic disadvantage continues to block millions from accessing opportunity. And in the UK, that disadvantage is often as simple—and as serious—as a lack of internet. Here’s what that looks like: 📉 1.5 million UK homes are without internet access. For many students, this means no online homework, no virtual STEM clubs, and no exposure to the digital skills needed for tomorrow’s jobs. 🧪 STEM education is still uneven. Pupils from the most deprived areas are less likely to access advanced science and maths courses, and much less likely to pursue STEM careers. 🔌 Connectivity is key—and telecoms can help. A brilliant example? The National Databank, supported by Virgin Media O2 and Good Things Foundation. It’s been called a “food bank for data,” offering free mobile data, texts, and calls to people who can’t afford connectivity. Many O2 stores across the UK now serve as data donation hubs—bringing digital access right into local communities. 🧠 The result? Students stay connected. Adults can retrain. Families can access services. And no one is locked out of opportunity because they can’t afford data. Tech and telecoms companies have a real role in levelling the playing field—not just in innovation, but in inclusion. 💬 What other examples have you seen of organisations using infrastructure for impact? Let’s build a future where no potential is wasted because of a postcode. #DigitalInclusion #NationalDatabank #STEMAccess #TechForGood #LevellingUp #UKTech #SocialMobility #Telecommunications #DigitalEquity #FutureOfWork #InclusionMatters

Within DP World's sustainability endeavours, I've been deeply immersed in the intersection of technology and environmental consciousness, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). The discourse around responsible and sustainable AI is not just timely but imperative in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, especially as AI continues to grow and is poised for even greater expansion in 2024. This article aptly highlights four crucial paths that companies can take to ensure their AI initiatives align with environmental goals while driving innovation. Efficiency emerges as a central theme, urging companies to adopt specialised AI models tailored to specific use cases rather than opting for resource-intensive, general-purpose models. This approach not only minimises energy consumption but also fosters a culture of innovation by leveraging the vast potential of open-source resources. By using less data, we can better optimise AI algorithms for reduced computational overhead while still maintaining performance and achieving results. The integration of renewable energy sources into AI infrastructure represents a significant step forward in mitigating the environmental impact of AI operations. By hosting AI functions in data centers powered by renewable energy, companies can significantly reduce their carbon footprint while driving sustainable growth. However, as highlighted in the article, challenges such as tracking energy consumption and fostering transparency remain paramount. As we navigate these challenges, it's crucial to prioritise ethical considerations and long-term sustainability in AI development. For us at DP World, as we look to tap into the potential of AI, we take into consideration these sustainable approaches to ensure that our technological advancements align with our environmental objectives and foster a greener future. A concrete example is our multi-programme software suite, CARGOES, which is an AI-driven solution automating every terminal process, from staff rostering to streamlining customs inspections—an infamously arduous process. With AI managing the basics, our Jafza teams can focus on upskilling and handling specialist shipments, thereby expanding our capabilities beyond mere throughput increase. Through the integration of AI technologies like CARGOES into our operations, we not only enhance efficiency and productivity but also reduce our environmental footprint by optimising processes and resource usage. By embracing responsible AI practices and leveraging technology as a catalyst for positive change, we can create a more sustainable future where innovation and societal well-being go hand in hand. https://lnkd.in/dugjCDMq 

Research has highlighted the environmental impact of generative AI, particularly as it relates to the energy demands of data centers. A recent Morgan Stanley report predicts that AI-related industries could emit up to 2.5 billion tons of greenhouse gases by 2030, largely due to the growing need for data centers to support AI workloads. The Green Software Foundation(GSF) Software Carbon Intensity (SCI) Specification provides a practical framework for addressing these concerns. While SCI is applicable to all software, its core principles are particularly impactful in reducing the carbon footprint of AI systems, with the goal being to reduce emissions actively, not just offset them: 1️⃣ Energy Efficiency: Optimizing AI models to use less energy is critical. Techniques like model pruning and distillation help make AI models more efficient by reducing the number of parameters and complexity without sacrificing performance, thus cutting down the energy required for training and deployment. 2️⃣ Hardware Efficiency: Using energy-efficient chipsets and maximizing hardware utilization can help reduce emissions from AI workloads. This involves developing hardware that can handle AI computations more efficiently and extending the lifecycle of existing hardware to reduce the need for frequent replacements, which contribute to emissions during production and disposal. 3️⃣ Carbon Awareness: AI systems can be made carbon-aware, meaning workloads are scheduled to run when energy grids are powered by cleaner, renewable energy. This minimizes the reliance on carbon-intensive power sources and reduces the overall environmental impact. For meaningful progress, policymakers must implement robust regulatory frameworks that support these efforts. Regulations that enforce carbon reporting for AI systems, incentivize the use of renewable energy, and establish standards for emissions will be key to aligning the AI industry with global sustainability goals. By integrating SCI principles with strong policy support, the AI industry can make substantial strides in reducing emissions while continuing to innovate responsibly. (Link - https://lnkd.in/drMQhDEY) #greenai #sustainability #genai

🌍 Proud to share: one week before COP30 begins in Belém: The Green Digital Finance Alliance discussion paper, "𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘀: 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁" Our paper examines how digitalization, encompassing 𝗥𝗪𝗔 𝘁𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀, 𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝘀 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 (𝗱𝗠𝗥𝗩), can help bridge the $6 trillion annual gap in climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development finance. The paper, co-authored by Jannika Aalto, Katherine Foster, Sanjay Narayanan, and I provides an overview of 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱/𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 (𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻/𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲, 𝗲𝘁𝗰.) 𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘀, 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 (𝗗𝗟𝗧-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱) 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘁𝘀, and elaborates on the potential to create a 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 (𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁)-𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, by integrating 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆-𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱, 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 (𝗱𝗠𝗥𝗩) 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮. 🔹 Digital bonds can reduce costs, speed up settlement, and open markets to smaller issuers and investors. 🔹 Early pilots from Asia and Europe show real efficiency gains and potential for real-time impact tracking — but highlight the need for more liquidity, harmonised regulation, and robust digital verification systems. 🔹 Without deliberate action, digitalisation risks widening existing inequalities. Inclusion must remain a core design principle. ✅ 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 1. Develop interoperable protocols integrating verified impact data across global frameworks (EU Taxonomy, ICMA, CBI, TNFD, ISSB). 2. Build capacity for smaller issuers and Global South actors. 3. Create fair funding models for digital MRV and verification. 4. Expand pilots with real use-of-proceeds tracking and transparent disclosure. 5. Integrate efficient impact verification into digital finance tools. 6. Track market progress with clear, shared metrics. 7. Strengthen collaboration and open knowledge exchange. We are looking to explore further the potential of "digital impact bonds" (a term we chose to indicate the strong (verified) impact focus of the 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 / 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘀, building on the great work done by initiatives such as ICMA - International Capital Market Association, Climate Bonds Initiative, International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), and leverage the creative force of both "incumbents" and "emerging players" in the digital bond space. 🔗 Read the discussion paper: https://is.gd/bivYdz Jannika Aalto Alexander (Sasha) Wiese Leiming Chen Nicholas C. Niggli Florian Kemmerich Natalie Paida Jabangwe, MBA DIC Katherine Foster Marianne Haahr Green Fintech Network Titia Sjenitzer Pierre CG ROUSSEAU Torsten Thiele Wei Ng James Vaccaro Anja Ludzuweit Julien Martin Alexey Shadrin Adam Billing