EY Q&A: How Can Companies Embed Tech Into Sustainability?

Sheri Hinish is the Global Consulting Sustainability Technology and Ecosystems Leader across sectors, service lines, alliances, sustainability solutions and digital ventures at EY. She serves clients in their journey to net zero, supporting transformations across ESG data and regulatory reporting, sustainable supply chain and circular transition, and innovation in decarbonisation by bringing the best in sustainability services across the breadth of EY and its partnerships.

Please introduce yourself and your role.

I'm Sheri Hinish, the Global Consulting Sustainability Services, Technology, and Ecosystems Leader at EY. 

I have been given the nickname the "Supply Chain Queen," and my passion lies at the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and human potential, driving systemic change to benefit both businesses and the planet.

With a passion for advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, I help some of the world’s largest organisations focus on decarbonisation, circular economy practices, and embedding sustainability into core business operations using the latest advances in technology and transformation that puts ‘humans at the center.’ 

Beyond my role at EY, I host the "Supply Chain Revolution" podcast, sharing insights on supply chain, inclusive leadership, and sustainability innovation. 

How can technology be used to boost ESG?

 Fragmentation of processes and systems across an organisation can lead to higher costs, inefficiencies, and an inability to measure return on activities and holistically transform. Technology unlocks ESG transformation by integrating sustainability into the heart of business operations.
AI, GenAI, IIoT, blockchain, and Digital Twins are pivotal, but their impact is amplified when supported by a strong foundational data strategy. Harmonising financial and ESG data while leveraging these technologies, provides organisations with a unified view, enabling actionable insights that optimise resources, reduce carbon footprints, and create meaningful business impact.

This integration enables real-time monitoring of emissions, resource efficiency, and operational performance, transforming ESG efforts from compliance-driven tasks to proactive, data-driven strategies.
For instance, AI-powered analytics can predict carbon hotspots and identify opportunities for energy optimisation across supply chains, while blockchain ensures transparency and traceability in high-risk commodity sourcing.
The real power of technology lies in its ability to harmonise diverse datasets, driving actionable insights that benefit both businesses and the planet. I like to say, “AI is not just a tool; it's the bridge between data complexity and actionable sustainability insights.”

What challenges are presented by increased use of technology?

While technology unlocks new opportunities, it brings challenges that require collaboration and strategic planning. To highlight a few:

Data Silos: Fragmentation across systems can impede ESG progress. As I often say, “Data is the connective tissue across value chains, but without AI and the right partner ecosystem, it’s just noise.” Harmonising ESG, operational, and financial data is essential to unlock its full value.

Resource Gaps: AI, in particular, demands infrastructure, mature models, and expertise that many organisations lack. Partner ecosystems play a critical role here, providing the tools and knowledge needed to bridge these gaps.

Ethical Concerns: Responsibly deploying AI is essential. Businesses must ensure AI systems align with ESG principles and minimise unintended biases and prioritize 1st principles of responsible design to optimise the use of resources like water and energy.

By addressing these challenges with the support of partner ecosystems, organizations can turn barriers into opportunities for innovation.

How can organisations best harness technologies like AI to boost their sustainability successes?

Foster Ecosystem Collaboration: No single entity can tackle ESG challenges alone. Partnering with others like technology leaders and academic institutions can amplify impact, as demonstrated by EY’s alliances with Microsoft and MIT to integrate technology in sustainability strategies, ensuring their efficacy.

Build Data Connectivity: Harmonising non-financial ESG data with operational and financial metrics creates a single source of truth, enabling connected business modernization.

Adopt Real-Time Insights: AI’s ability to monitor energy use, emissions, and resource efficiency in real-time transforms ESG from compliance-driven to strategic and operational insights. AI can identify ESG risks, optimise supply chain operations’ emissions, and suggest interventions to reduce carbon footprints. For example, predictive models can assess the impact of climate risks on operations or monitor real-time energy consumption to improve efficiency. AI models can pinpoint Scope 3 emissions hotspots across supply chains and suggest interventions to de-risk procurement and sourcing.

Invest in Circularity: AI can optimise product life cycles, from design to forecasting material use, minimising waste, and enhancing material flows cradle to cradle. In industries like fashion and automotive, it predicts material needs, minimises waste, and enhances second life and recyclability by design.

Leverage Digital Twins: Virtual simulations of supply chains allow businesses to test decarbonisation strategies, anticipate disruptions, and refine logistics before real-world implementation.

What advice would you give to leaders looking to embed technology into their sustainability strategy?

Prioritise a Foundational Data Strategy: Ensure ESG, operational, and financial data are harmonised to create an integrated approach to sustainability and business performance. This alignment underpins the ability to leverage AI and other technologies effectively. 

Design for Scale: Use technology that grows with your organisation. Scalable platforms that support AI native capabilities and are flexible, modular, and interoperable to connect across legacy tech investments are essential.

Empower Your People: Technology amplifies human potential when paired with a workforce skilled in data, digital technologies, and sustainability practices. Upskilling teams and fostering a culture of innovation is key. 

Align Technology with Purpose: Use AI and other tools responsibly, ensuring they contribute to your organisation’s vision and purpose in the world we share. Leaders must champion a "sustainable AI" mindset, ensuring transparency, energy efficiency, inclusivity, and ethical use of technologies.

Think Holistically: Sustainability is a team sport with a new stakeholder, Nature. Embed ESG across operations, from supplier contracts to energy procurement. Measure not just financial outcomes but also the environmental and social impacts to advance the quadruple bottom-line.

Technology and ESG are no longer isolated pursuits; they’re intertwined imperatives. Organisations that embrace this synergy will not only meet today’s challenges but position themselves as leaders in a sustainable and equitable future.

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