AI Magazine September 2026 Issue 50 | Page 73

SUSTAINABILITY value framework that considers both business outcomes and wider environmental and social impact.“ On the business side, relevant KPIs might include cost savings, productivity gains, avoided downtime, risk reduction,” she goes on.“ Sustainability outcomes could include reductions in emissions, energy and water use or waste, as well as improvements in worker safety and wellbeing, or community resilience.”
Vanessa highlights that, ultimately, organisations“ should ask not only whether the model was accurate or generated a financial return, but what total value it created for the business, people and the planet – and whether that value was sustained over time”.
Emerging tech for sustainability Emerging technologies like AI are enabling organisations to move beyond analysing what has already happened towards anticipating demand, optimising operations and acting on insights more effectively. Vanessa points to Schneider Electric’ s facility in Beijing as an example. Notably, the site has been recognised as a Lighthouse by the World Economic Forum for its leadership in sustainability, demonstrating how advanced technologies and innovation can drive decarbonisation across the entire value chain.
“ At our Schneider Electric Beijing campus, the digital and smart energy and carbon management platform
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