As our planet faces escalating water challenges, responsible management by corporations is key for a sustainable and resilient future. Prioritizing water stewardship not only safeguards ecosystems but also strengthens corporate resilience against water-related risks. In this era of heightened environmental consciousness, companies championing water stewardship also gain a competitive edge as they contribute to a water-secure global community.
This is the first of an interview series on corporate water stewardship, where we engage with leading companies across diverse sectors committed to responsible water management. We’ll explore and highlight organizations’ unique approaches, innovations, and collaborative efforts. In this interview we hear from Michael Jacobs, Sustainability & Social Innovation Leader, IBM Corporate Social Responsibility, on how the company’s goals and programs are shaping a water-resilient future.
Question: Can you tell us briefly about your career path and your current role at IBM?
Answer: I started my career as a consultant to the US federal government with a focus on emergency communications. In the wake of events like Hurricane Katrina and the 9/11 terrorist attacks, we planned technology systems that were resilient, redundant, and practical for local communities. Since then, I have worked in the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of IBM and now lead the IBM Sustainability Accelerator program as the team’s Sustainability and Social Innovation Leader.
Q: IBM recently announced five projects focused on water management solutions as part of its Sustainability Accelerator program. Can you tell us a bit more about this program and how did you decide to focus on water for this year’s cohort?
A: The IBM Sustainability Accelerator is a social impact program that launched in February 2022 to address multiple environmental threats around the world. Each year, the Accelerator selects five projects to build and scale solutions that benefit communities facing challenges such as climate change, pollution, extreme weather and more.
According to the World Bank, as of 2022, 2.2 billion people lacked safely managed drinking water. The Accelerator’s first two cohorts focused on sustainable agriculture and clean energy. Its projects and grantees made clear the cross-cutting nature of water, which we decided to tackle in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 – Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Q: Water scarcity is a growing concern globally. How does IBM assess and manage water-related risks to ensure responsible water management in its operations and supply chain?
A: Our water conservation goal is to achieve year- to-year reductions in water withdrawals at larger IBM locations in water-stressed regions. In 2022, withdrawals at these locations decreased by 0.19% versus 2021.
Projects and grantees made clear the cross-cutting nature of water, which we decided to tackle in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 6
Our primary use of water at locations subject to this goal is domestic water consumption in the workplace (46% of total water withdrawals), cooling and humidity control at office buildings (25% of total water withdrawals), and irrigation of lawns and gardens (19% of total water withdrawals). We installed more than 100 water meters in campuses in India and South America resulted in more accurate measurement of our water consumption in multi-tenant buildings where we previously relied upon estimates.
Q: The cooling needs of data centers have been in the spotlight because of their energy and water consumption. How is IBM dealing with this issue?
A: IBM also continues to look for opportunities to reduce water consumption at locations inside and outside of water-stressed regions. In 2022, more than 11,400 cubic meters of water were saved through various conservation projects, including optimization of reverse osmosis deionized water systems to generate less wastewater, utilization of rainwater, and routine maintenance of water pipes.
Q: IBM is involved in providing solutions for smart cities. How can technology be harnessed to create water-efficient and resilient urban environments, and what role does IBM play in developing such solutions for municipalities and businesses?
A: Technology can play critical roles in enhancing the infrastructure of urban centers to be more resilient and water-efficient. For example:
Instituto IGUÁ is working with IBM to create a decision support tool for sanitation in Brazil’s favelas, large urban centers throughout Brazil where sanitation infrastructure can be precarious. Design is ongoing for an IBM Cloud-based platform to inform water infrastructure planning, provide in-depth data to local utility providers, and facilitate a direct channel of communication between utilities, communities, and governments, that incorporates technical, financial, and cultural aspects of infrastructure investments in Brazil.
The city of Atlanta used IBM data collection, machine learning, and AI to monitor public transit tunnel ventilation systems and predict potential failures that could put passengers at risk. Atlanta expanded use to maintain 51 facilities across its transit authority, Fire, Police, Parks, Public Works, and all city-owned buildings. This has resulted in forewarning on upcoming climate events, more efficient power usage, and official certifications. In turn, that has helped lengthen the life of equipment, bring down power usage and attendant carbon emissions, and improved insurance ratings and bond rates.
Q: The IBM SkillsBuild free education program offers training that connects cutting edge sustainability and technology. What is the rationale for this program and what is your assessment of what it has accomplished so far?
A: An IBM survey administered by Morning Consult found that sustainability has become a business imperative and an in-demand discipline that’s increasingly technical in nature. Business leaders need employees who can apply tech skills to sustainability-related job roles.
To help build a pipeline of sustainability talent, IBM SkillsBuild unveiled an integrated roadmap of sustainability and tech skills courses, available for free through IBM SkillsBuild. Learners can benefit from a holistic environmental tech training journey from IBM SkillsBuild with digital credentials available each step of the way. In the months ahead, to delve even deeper, we will add coursework and credentials including AI for Sustainability; ESG Reporting; Green Entrepreneurship and Innovation; and Cybersecurity and Data Privacy for Sustainability.
To help build a pipeline of sustainability talent, IBM SkillsBuild unveiled an integrated roadmap of sustainability and tech skills courses
These offerings build on IBM’s commitment to skill 30 million people by 2030, with a focus on underrepresented communities. IBM SkillsBuild offers over 1,000 courses in 20 languages on AI, sustainability, cybersecurity, data analysis, cloud computing, and many other technical disciplines — as well as in workplace skills such as Design Thinking. Most importantly, participants can earn IBM-branded digital credentials that are recognized by the market.
We have some great success stories to tell from IBM SkillsBuild learners. For example: Oscar Ramirez is an immigrant from Mexico who studied AI and many more courses through IBM SkillsBuild on his path to a career in technology. Also, Gabrielle Kelley is an HBCU student who uses IBM SkillsBuild to supplement her university studies and gain digital credentials in AI and other tech and professional topics.
Q: IBM has been engaged in corporate environmental reporting for decades, including external disclosures such as CDP’s Water Security Questionnaire. How do these initiatives contribute to your water sustainability efforts?
A: IBM has a longstanding record of leadership in environmental stewardship and have voluntarily provided disclosures on our environmental commitments, metrics, goals, and performance for over three decades. Participating in these external disclosures gives metrics to benchmark our water sustainability efforts to manage what we measure, as well as transparency of our efforts to stakeholders.
