Following their thought-provoking closing keynote at the 2024 conference, Professors Tom Jackson and Ian Hodgkinson were invited to contribute a thought leadership piece to the society’s bi-monthly journal. The IRMS Bulletin is considered to be the most authoritative and well-respected publication in the sector.
In their July article, 'Information and Records Managers are Climate Champions by Tackling the Environmental Impact of Data', Professors Jackson and Hodgkinson highlight the extent to which business functions do not consider their data carbon footprint. Indeed, many businesses are unknowingly burdened with wasteful digital practices like data duplication, leading to increased carbon dioxide production. Jackson and Hodgkinson emphasize the problem of 'plastic knowledge' — data and information that are used once and then discarded, sometimes reused, but often left to consume energy in storage.
Key to tackling the environmental impact of data are information and records managers, who through their roles and expertise can act as climate champions and play a pivotal role in the digital decarbonisation movement. By implementing responsible data management practices, they can help organisations reduce their digital carbon footprint, minimise the creation of plastic knowledge, and promote sustainability.
It is crucial for CEOs and CIOs to understand, and then amplify, that this approach will save money. This involves:
- Improving knowledge management practices: Developing and implementing effective knowledge management systems that facilitate the sharing and reuse of information.
- Educating staff: Training staff on the importance of responsible data usage and the environmental impact of digital practices.
- Incorporating AI responsibly: When adopting AI, it is essential to take a responsible approach by carefully considering the number and location of datasets and the type of AI required. For instance, evaluating whether it is necessary to use the latest technologies, such as Generative AI.
Discussing this issue, the professors said: “through proactive measures and effective management, records and information managers can lead the charge in achieving digital decarbonisation and contributing to a more sustainable future.”