The July issue of Ethical Corporation looks at how companies are using technologies like AI and blockchain to cut GHG emissions in transport and energy and improve conditions for workers in commodity supply chains. In our second briefing, we examine the role of women in the sector and speak to the Asian startups using tech to address social need

This month in the magazine we are looking at the capacity for tech to do good: how fourth-generation technologies are enabling advances on some of the most difficult sustainability challenges companies face as they try to tackle climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In April, a PwC and Microsoft report suggested that AI could enable a cut in global greenhouse gas emissions of between 1.5% and 4% by 2030 across four key sectors, agriculture, energy, transport and water, with its impact greatest in transport and in energy. Challenging the assumption that AI will make swathes of workers redundant, the report said it would be a job-generator, potentially creating between 18.4 million and 38.2 million net jobs globally.

Angeli Mehta highlights how companies like Verv in the UK, Google’s DeepMind, Vigilent in California, Canada’s Novacab and Barcelona-based Nnergix are using artificial intelligence and machine-learning applications to light the way to smarter energy use.

Mehta also looks at how AI is being used to bring emissions reductions in the even more challenging transport sector. She writes about how artificial intelligence is being used by US cities, including Pittsburgh, to improve traffic flow, delivering an estimated 20% cut in carbon emissions.

In shipping, Nautilus Labs and Stena Line are both achieving efficiencies with systems that continuously monitor vessels. Meanwhile, Explicit has developed sniffer drones that can detect the gases vessels emit. And in the air, Norwegian is using Open Airlines’ SkyBreathe system to help its pilots fly more efficiently.

I report on how BanQu, a blockchain platform based on widely accessible SMS technology, is bringing transparency to the "last mile” of global supply chains, helping brands such as AB InBev deliver commitments to improve conditions for millions of smallholder farmers.

In sponsored content, The Nature Conservancy’s chief conservation technology officer explains what the conservation movement can learn from the tech industry about scaling solutions at a much faster pace.

(Credit: dotshock/Shutterstock)
 

Our second briefing in July is about the drive to increase the number of women working in tech. With women making up just 17% of the tech industry, David Craik reports on initiatives in the UK to attract more female workers into the pipeline and why the sector needs a cultural change.

I write about a new speed-mentoring initiative in the UK to help more women ascend to senior leadership roles.

And Jill Baker speaks to four female founders of early-stage tech companies in Asia who have beaten the odds of women receiving 2% of global venture capital, and have created companies that are addressing social need.

We hope you enjoy your July magazine. Please help spread the word on social media that all our journalism is now free to view, using @Ethical_Corp so that we can retweet.

Next month is another double briefing, looking at companies that are leading on tackling modern slavery, and those who are addressing the global refugee crisis.

 

Main picture credit: KitiphongPho30/Shutterstock
artificial intelligence  google  DeepMind  Vigilent  Novacab  Nnergix  Nautilus Labs  Stena Line  SkyBreathe  The Nature Conservancy  Women in Tech  Rebus 

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