Abstract

As a pioneer in responding to environmental challenges, IBM’s contributions encompassed multiple areas. This case discusses the company’s initiatives in terms of energy efficiency of its operations, constructing sustainable buildings, eliminating hazardous chemicals in the manufacture of products, data center efficiency, product recycling and reuse, water conservation and reuse, and supply chain efficacy to reduce overall impact on the environment. For its customers, it provided energy efficient products and green consulting services. It also engaged its stakeholders in its attempts to lessen the overall damage to the environment caused by its business operations. It was rated as the world’s #1 company by both Ceres and Greenpeace in terms of its contribution as a technology company to environmental sustainability. Acting upon the feedback from third-party assessments might help IBM explore frontiers of environmental sustainability in the best interests of all its stakeholders.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• Energy efficiency of operations and products
• Environmental sustainability through product design, recycle, and reuse
• Importance of collaborations with other organizations
• Third-party assessment of performance on the sustainability front.

Keywords

IBM, Project Big Green, Product Stewardship Program, Chemicals management, Hazardous electronic waste, Eco-Patents, Take-back services, Energy efficiency, Carbon footprint, Global warming, Climate change, Corporate governance, Emissions accounting, Political advocacy, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, Greenpeace, Ceres, Renewable energy, Ecological sustainability, Green IT, RoHS, Waste water management