Latest news with #ChristinaShim
Business Times
29-06-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Renewable energy source important factor in location of IBM data centres
[SINGAPORE] South-east Asian markets that have a renewable energy source might have a leg up in attracting American tech giant IBM to set up data centres. While having renewable energy is not the only determining factor, it is an important criteria that the technology company considers when assessing where to locate its data centres, said its chief sustainability officer Christina Shim in an interview with The Business Times. When asked whether South-east Asian markets would be more attractive as a location for IBM to set up its data centres if it were to green its energy mix, Shim said: 'Could it help? Absolutely. I think we're all aligned, and making sure that this is an important factor as part of the decision. But it would have to be balanced out with all the other factors.' Shim noted that renewable energy is more accessible in some regions than in others. This is partly why the technology company had set a target of sourcing 90 per cent of the electricity it consumes worldwide from renewable sources by 2030, though it would like to push past 90 per cent if possible. It has an interim goal of 75 per cent by this year, which Shim said it is 'on track, if not a little early' in meeting. IBM has also set a target of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, with an interim goal of reducing its emissions by 65 per cent by this year against its 2010 levels. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 12.30 pm ESG Insights An exclusive weekly report on the latest environmental, social and governance issues. Sign Up Sign Up If the company does decide to set up a data centre in a location where there are no renewable energy sources, then it would have to balance that out with the rest of its portfolio of data centres, Shim added. The company currently operates more than 60 data centres across the globe, out of which about 10 are in Asia-Pacific. 'If the region here is able to diversify its energy mix more by that point, and we are trying to keep in touch with our global real estate, (as well as) what's happening with government and regulatory affairs regionally... we are keeping on top of any sort of planned investment in those areas to see how we can better shift and evolve with what's happening on the ground,' Shim added. Besides whether a location has renewable energy source, Shim said, data centre management efficiency is also important. 'Can you also improve the optimisation of the data centre itself, and using the right technology internally to be able to do that? That's also pretty powerful,' she added. Shim also said that IBM will continue to embed sustainability into its business, even though climate change has been deprioritised by the current United States administration under President Donald Trump. Integrating sustainability is not just about being a good corporate citizen, but is 'fundamentally good economics for the business and its foundation for growth', Shim added. 'It shows increased innovation. It's additional revenue generation. It's good for talent attraction... Regardless of all the changes, we are focused on maximising long-term value for our clients, for our partners, for us.' For example, with more businesses looking at incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into their business operations, there is more work looking at how AI models can be trained more efficiently, so that it is more cost-efficient for companies to use such technologies. Shim sees opportunities for AI and sustainability in the area of improving ESG data in Asia. Besides helping to collate and make sense of hundreds of data points that large companies would have, it could also help support language challenges in the region. Besides sustainability reporting, AI can also be used to identify per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – which are chemicals that are extremely persistent in the environment and human bodies – in a company's supply chain. 'How do you identify where they are in your supply chain, in your manufacturing, in your products, and then how do you make sure that you have the right sustainable replacements to make it safer for your consumers, for your customers – not just from a regulatory perspective, which is increasingly going to be enforced, but also from a consumer safety perspective,' she said. 'That is something that will also be very relevant in this region just because of how much manufacturing happens here that goes globally.'
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
IBM makes head-turning decision about its technology that could have global impact: 'This is an incredibly exciting time'
Tech giant IBM, which has operations in 150 countries, is improving its AI and data centers to help address environmental concerns. As Technology Magazine detailed, IBM gets almost 75% of its data center power from renewable fuels, and as many as 28 of those facilities rely 100% on clean energy. The company has also developed AI chips that use 14 times less energy than previous ones. These efficient chips still operate at a high capacity, which helps "leaders understand and respond to environmental changes," as Christina Shim, IBM's chief sustainability officer, told Technology Magazine. IBM's other eco-friendly moves include expanding the work its Granite AI model does for environmental applications, such as Kenya's national reforestation program. The country's Mau Forest lost 19% of its tree cover between 2001 and 2022, according to Mongabay. The Kenyan government was able to use insight from IBM's AI model to help plant 15 billion trees. Meanwhile, in Denmark, the company's predictive maintenance technology helped prevent unnecessary reconstruction that extended the Great Belt bridge and tunnel project — critical to the first ground-based connection between Denmark and Sweden — by 100 years. This prevented the release of 750,000 tonnes of polluting carbon gases in the area. "This is an incredibly exciting time to lead IBM's strategy around sustainability," Shim told Technology Magazine. It's no secret that technology — especially AI — often requires a lot of power. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, data centers consume 10 to 50 times more energy per floor than an entire standard office building. A major company like IBM using clean, renewable power sources for this technology means a reduced risk of environmental chaos, like extreme weather conditions and habitat destruction. IBM is avoiding greenwashing labels with quantifiable worldwide advances that are not just marketing slogans. By 2023, the company reached a milestone two years ahead of schedule by reducing operational polluting gases by 65%. Do you think more places of worship should embrace clean energy? Yes — it sets a positive example Only if it saves money No opinion Absolutely not Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Reduced emissions aid in the fight against the planet's rising heat and harsher weather patterns. Meanwhile, better air quality achieved by cutting polluting gases and particulate matter creates a less toxic environment that reduces the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular illness, as well as some cancers. Other mainstream brands are supporting eco-friendly initiatives. For example, the NBA has collaborated with Trashie to help fans earn rewards for recycling old clothes. Elsewhere, Ecofrico has designed fashionable bags made from 100% hemp. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
IBM makes head-turning decision about its technology that could have global impact: 'This is an incredibly exciting time'
Tech giant IBM, which has operations in 150 countries, is improving its AI and data centers to help address environmental concerns. As Technology Magazine detailed, IBM gets almost 75% of its data center power from renewable fuels, and as many as 28 of those facilities rely 100% on clean energy. The company has also developed AI chips that use 14 times less energy than previous ones. These efficient chips still operate at a high capacity, which helps "leaders understand and respond to environmental changes," as Christina Shim, IBM's chief sustainability officer, told Technology Magazine. IBM's other eco-friendly moves include expanding the work its Granite AI model does for environmental applications, such as Kenya's national reforestation program. The country's Mau Forest lost 19% of its tree cover between 2001 and 2022, according to Mongabay. The Kenyan government was able to use insight from IBM's AI model to help plant 15 billion trees. Meanwhile, in Denmark, the company's predictive maintenance technology helped prevent unnecessary reconstruction that extended the Great Belt bridge and tunnel project — critical to the first ground-based connection between Denmark and Sweden — by 100 years. This prevented the release of 750,000 tonnes of polluting carbon gases in the area. "This is an incredibly exciting time to lead IBM's strategy around sustainability," Shim told Technology Magazine. It's no secret that technology — especially AI — often requires a lot of power. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, data centers consume 10 to 50 times more energy per floor than an entire standard office building. A major company like IBM using clean, renewable power sources for this technology means a reduced risk of environmental chaos, like extreme weather conditions and habitat destruction. IBM is avoiding greenwashing labels with quantifiable worldwide advances that are not just marketing slogans. By 2023, the company reached a milestone two years ahead of schedule by reducing operational polluting gases by 65%. Do you think more places of worship should embrace clean energy? Yes — it sets a positive example Only if it saves money No opinion Absolutely not Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Reduced emissions aid in the fight against the planet's rising heat and harsher weather patterns. Meanwhile, better air quality achieved by cutting polluting gases and particulate matter creates a less toxic environment that reduces the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular illness, as well as some cancers. Other mainstream brands are supporting eco-friendly initiatives. For example, the NBA has collaborated with Trashie to help fans earn rewards for recycling old clothes. Elsewhere, Ecofrico has designed fashionable bags made from 100% hemp. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Bloomberg
12-02-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
IBM on Sustainability as a Growth Strategy
Christina Shim, Chief Sustainability Officer, IBM speaks with Bloomberg's Lisa Mateo about enabling clients to leverage emerging technology at The Future Investor: Finding the Opportunities event in Atlanta. (Source: Bloomberg)
