IT Standards for Environmental, Social, and Governance Sustainability

Technology is the critical path to business sustainability, and IT leaders have a unique opportunity to transform their functions, enterprises and industries for a sustainable future. The more than 200 IT-tailored ESG standards featured below provide a cross-industry, consistent set of topics and metrics for measuring, tracking and reporting technology’s ESG impact. The presentation at right provides IT-specific impact data and models, and explains how to use the standards.

View presentation

Developed and endorsed by a diverse group of global chief information, technology, and digital officers, the SustainableIT standards are grouped into three main categories.

About the standards

Each of the standard topics and metrics below has a unique SustainableIT (SIT) code to better identify it for reference and reporting (see explanation at right). And many of the standards include hover-over notes that provide additional information. The first letter, E, S, or G represents the category. Second letters indicate a Function or Enterprise focus.

The SustainableIT Standards Taxonomy report is the official documentation for SustainableIT's ESG standards. It maintains revision history, defines key environmental terms, and provides links to references and sites.

 

 

Environmental

Energy (100) — Function-focused

SIT Code Type Description Relevant third-party codes
SIT EF 110-1.a Metric kWh consumption by location, time of day, per end user (include EF 111-1.a, 112-1, 113-1.a)
SIT EF 110-1.b Metric Percentage renewable
SIT EF 110-2.a Metric kWh consumption by location, time of day, per end user (include EF 111-2.a, 113-2.a)
SIT EF 110-2.b Metric Percentage renewable
SIT EF 111-1.a Metric kWh rack power consumption by location, room, time of day, per end user
SIT EF 111-1.b Metric Percentage renewable
SIT EF 111-1.c Metric ekWh per capita (end user)
SIT EF 111-1.d Metric Power usage efficiency (PUE)
SIT EF 111-1.e Metric Percentage data centers complying with EU Data Centre Code of Conduct
SIT EF 111-2.a Metric kWh consumption by location, room, time of day, per end user
SIT EF 111-2.b Metric Percentage renewable
SIT EF 111-2.c Metric ekWh per capita (end user)
SIT EF 111-2.d Metric Power usage efficiency (PUE)
SIT EF 111-2.e Metric Percentage data centers complying with EU Data Centre Code of Conduct
SIT EF 111-3 Metric Percentage data center workloads that are portable
SIT EF 112-1 Metric kWh consumption by location
SIT EF 112-2 Metric Percentage renewable
SIT EF 113-1.a Metric kWh consumption by location, room, time of day, per end user
SIT EF 113-1.b Metric kWh consumption for software updates
SIT EF 113-1.c Metric Percentage portfolio on renewable energy
SIT EF 113-1.d Metric Percentage development following green design and code practices
SIT EF 113-2.a Metric kWh consumption by location, room, time of day, per end user
SIT EF 113-2.b Metric kWh consumption for software updates
SIT EF 113-2.c Metric Percentage portfolio on renewable energy
SIT EF 113-2.d Metric Percentage portfolio delivered by third parties
SIT EF 113-3 Metric Percentage using containers, microservices, serverless
SIT EF 113-4 Metric Number applications per end user
SIT EF 113-5 Metric Percentage portfolio green coded
SIT EF 120-1 Metric Percentage cloud-hosted by provider
SIT EF 120-2 Metric Percentage on renewable energy
SIT EF 130-1 Metric Percentage products and services having an extraordinarily high workload
SIT EF 130-2 Metric Percentage products and services on renewable energy
SIT EF 130-3 Metric Percentage eligible products and services hosted/delivered by third parties
SIT EF 140-1 Metric Percentage of energy sources controlled/influenced

 

Energy (100) — Enterprise-focused

SIT Code Type Description Relevant third-party codes
SIT EE 110-1 Metric kWH consumption by location, time of day, facility, m2
SIT EE 110-2 Metric Percentage renewable
SIT EE 110-3 Metric Percentage m2 certified green
SIT EE 120-1 Metric kWH consumption by location, ratio of remote to office workers
SIT EE 120-2 Metric Percentage renewable
SIT EE 130-1 Metric kWH consumption by location, time of day, facility, m2
SIT EE 130-2 Metric Percentage renewable
SIT EF 130-3 Metric Percentage m2 certified green
SIT EE 140-1 Metric Percentage of energy sources controlled/influenced

 

Emissions (200) — Function-focused

SIT Code Type Description Relevant third-party codes
SIT EF 210-1.a Metric Metric tons CO2 by location, over time period, per end user (include SIT EF 211-1, 212-1, 213-1) GRI 305-1, 2
SIT EF 210-1.b Metric GHG intensity
SIT EF 210-2.a Metric Metric tons CO2 by location, over time period, per end user (include EF 211-2, 213-2) GRI 305-3
SIT EF 210-2.b Metric GHG intensity intensity
SIT EF 211-1 Metric Owned/on-premises (include servers and cooling) metric tons CO2 by location, time of day, per end user
SIT EF 211-2 Metric Third party-hosted and co-location data centers metric tons CO2 by provider, per end user
SIT EF 212-1 Metric Metric tons CO2 by location, over time period, per end user
SIT EF 212-2.a Metric Average emissions reduction achieved by lifecycle extension by type
SIT EF 212-3 Metric Percentage end-user devices BYOD
SIT EF 213-1 Metric Owned/on-premises metric tons CO2 by portfolio, location
SIT EF 213-2 Metric Third party-sourced or public cloud-hosted metric tons CO2 by provider
SIT EF 220-1 Metric Metric tons of CO2 by product or service

 

Emissions (200) — Enterprise-focused

SIT Code Type Description Relevant third-party codes
SIT EE 210-1 Metric Metric tons CO2 from meeting travel by number miles, number trips, per employee
SIT EE 210-2 Metric Metric tons CO2 saved/avoided per FTE, over time period enabled by virtual meeting tools and capabilities
SIT EE 210-3 Metric Percentage major corporate meetings virtual
SIT EE 220-1 Metric Metric tons CO2 by location, over time period
SIT EE 220-2 Metric GHG intensity
SIT EE 220-3 Metric Percentage smart office space
SIT EE 230-1 Metric Percentage efficient travel
SIT EE 240-1 Metric Metric tons CO2, by location, mode, over time period
SIT EE 240-2 Metric Percentage fleet electric and hybrid
SIT EE 250-1 Metric Metric tons CO2 per unit procured, by item type, provider, location, over time period
SIT EE 260-1 Metric Metric tons CO2 by supply channel, item categories, stage (e.g., transport, storage)
SIT EE 270-1 Metric Percentage processes automated
SIT EE 270-2 Metric Metric tons CO2 by location, over time period

 

Waste (300) — Function-focused

SIT Code Type Description Relevant third-party codes
SIT EF 310-1 Metric Percentage IT devices reused/refurbished or repurposed by type
SIT EF 310-2 Metric Percentage IT devices recycled/remanufactured
SIT EF 310-3 Metric Percentage equipment not disposed sustainably (i.e., landfilled)
SIT EF 310-4 Metric Percentage device/hardware units donated responsibly by type, over time period
SIT EF 310-5 Metric Refresh cycle of IT devices by type

 

Waste (300) — Enterprise-focused

SIT Code Type Description Relevant third-party codes
SIT EE 310-1.a Metric Megaliters withdrawn by location, water source, over time period
SIT EE 310-1.b Metric Percentage water withdrawn from high-stress regions
SIT EE 310-1.c Metric Baseline megaliters per facility m2 over time period (e.g., a data center)
SIT EE 310-1.d Metric Megaliters discharged by location, water destination, level of treatment, over time period
SIT EE 310-1.e Metric Water intensity: megaliters per facility m2 over time period (e.g., a data center)
SIT EE 310-2.a Metric Megaliters withdrawn by location, water source, over time period
SIT EE 310-2.b Metric Percentage water withdrawn from high-stress regions
SIT EE 310-2.c Metric Baseline megaliters per facility m2 over time period (e.g., a data center)
SIT EE 310-2.d Metric Megaliters discharged by location, water destination, level of treatment, over time period
SIT EE 310-2.e Metric Water intensity: megaliters per facility m2 over time period (e.g., a data center)
SIT EE 320-1 Metric Percentage enterprise electronic processes
SIT EE 330-1 Metric Percentage materials sourced sustainably GRI 301-2, 3
SIT EE 330-2 Metric Metric tons materials not recycled (landfilled)
SIT EE 330-3 Metric Megaliters withdrawn by location, over time period GRI 303-3; SASB TC-IM-130a.2, TC-SI-130a
SIT EE 330-4 Metric Percentage water withdrawn from high-stress regions
SIT EE 330-5 Metric Megaliters discharged by location, water destination, level of treatment, over time period GRI 303-4; SASB TC-IM-130a.2, TC-SI-130a
SIT EE 330-6 Metric Percentage electronic waste disposal complying with EU WEEE Directive

 

Sourcing (400) — Function-focused

SIT Code Type Description Relevant third-party codes
SIT EF 410-1 Metric Percentage vendors meeting requirements; also percentage requirements met by each primary vendor
SIT EF 410-2 Metric Percentage software licenses or instances sourced sustainably
SIT EF 410-3 Metric Percentage total spend to sustainable sources
SIT EF 420-1 Metric Percentage installed base sourced sustainably
SIT EF 420-2 Metric Percentage new purchases sourced sustainably over time period
SIT EF 420-3 Metric Percentage total spend to sustainable sources
SIT EF 430-1 Metric Percentage eligible technology devices/hardware meeting ENERGY STAR®, EPEAT, and/or TCO Certified criteria
SIT EF 440-1 Metric Percentage IT purchases utilizing channels/processes optimized for sustainability over time period
SIT EF 440-2 Metric Percentage IT procurement spend utilizing channels/processes optimized for sustainability over time period
SIT EF 450-1 Metric Percentage vendors meeting requirements; also percentage requirements met by each primary vendor
SIT EF 450-2 Metric Percentage outsourcing sourced sustainably
SIT EF 460-1 Metric Percentage vendors meeting requirements; also percentage requirements met by each primary vendor
SIT EF 460-2 Metric Percentage third party-hosted workloads sourced sustainably by type, total spend
SIT EF 470-1 Metric Percentage vendors meeting requirements; also percentage requirements met by each primary vendor
SIT EF 470-2 Metric Percentage services sourced sustainably by type, total spend
SIT EF 480-1 Metric Percentage vendors meeting requirements; also percentage requirements met by each primary vendor
SIT EF 480-2 Metric Percentage mobile services sourced sustainably by type, total spend

 

Sourcing (400) — Enterprise-focused

SIT Code Type Description Relevant third-party codes
SIT EE 410-1 Metric Percentage vendors meeting requirements; also percentage requirements met by each primary vendor
SIT EE 410-2 Metric Percentage materials moved sustainably by volume/weight, total spend, over time period
SIT EE 420-1 Metric Percentage purchases utilizing sustainable channels/process
SIT EE 430-1 Metric Percentage manufacturing supplies/raw materials sourced from sustainability-certified suppliers

 

 

Social

Social and Economic Inclusion (100)

SIT Code Type Description Relevant third-party codes
SIT S 110-1 Metric Approach to ensure constituent accessibility to IT products and services
SIT S 110-2 Metric Accessibility criteria and extent of application to systems design and engineering
SIT S 110-3 Metric Extent of adoption of assistive technology
SIT S 110-4 Metric Extent of adoption of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
SIT S 110-5 Metric Extent of intentional adoption of simpler technologies accessible to non-technologists
SIT S 120-1 Metric Approach to increase diversity in IT staff and leadership team
SIT S 120-2 Metric Approach to increase diversity in IT talent pipeline
SIT S 120-3 Metric Representation of diverse groups in IT
SIT S 120-4 Metric Percentage difference between group representation on IT staff vs. in regional workforce
SIT S 130-1 Metric Approach to diversify technology partner ecosystem
SIT S 130-2 Metric Percentage diverse vendors of total and of total spend
SIT S 140-1 Metric Inclusiveness approach, categories, and criteria applied to IT systems design and engineering
SIT S 140-2 Metric Extent to which inclusiveness considerations factored into systems origination and early design
SIT S 150-1 Metric Type and extent of tech-oriented engagement with communities
SIT S 150-2 Metric IT budget for community engagement allocated/spent over time period
SIT S 150-3 Metric Outcomes of principal engagement efforts -- quantifiable and unquantifiable
SIT S 150-4 Metric Approach to overcome digital divide preventing underserved communities from accessing critical technology (i.e., technology products and services related to education, jobs, and healthcare)

 

Sourcing Social Accountability (200)

SIT Code Type Description Relevant third-party codes
SIT S 210-1 Metric Approach to assess, monitor, and hold accountable technology vendors for social requirements compliance
SIT S 210-2 Metric Social sustainability criteria or requirements for IT vendors
SIT S 210-3 Metric IT vendors having significant risk of child or forced labor and human rights violations, and how risk addressed
SIT S 210-4 Metric Approach to assess and address IT vendor corruption risk and incidents
SIT S 210-5 Metric Exceptions made for small or otherwise disadvantaged vendors that may not be able to meet all requirements
SIT S 220-1 Metric Approach to assess, monitor, and hold accountable supply-chain partners for social requirements compliance
SIT S 220-2 Metric Social sustainability criteria or requirements for supply-chain partners
SIT S 220-3 Metric Supply-chain partners having significant risk of child or forced labor and human rights violations, and how risk addressed
SIT S 220-4 Metric Approach to assess and address supply chain partner corruption risk and incidents
SIT S 220-5 Metric Exceptions made for small or otherwise disadvantaged supply chain partners that may not be able to meet all requirements

 

Health and Safety (300)

SIT Code Type Description Relevant third-party codes
SIT S 310-1 Metric IT product and service categories for which a potential negative impact on health or safety exists
SIT S 310-2 Metric Percentage relevant IT products and services assessed for health and safety impacts
SIT S 310-3 Metric Incidents of IT products and services non-compliance with health and safety policies/regulations, and how addressed

 

 

Governance

Culture of Sustainability (100)

SIT Code Type Description Relevant third-party codes
SIT G 110-1 Metric IT and enterprise sustainability mission, core values, and communication approach
SIT G 120-1 Metric Sustainability governance approach
SIT G 120-2 Metric Accountability for sustainability reporting
SIT G 120-3 Metric Approach to ensure visibility of goals and progress
SIT G 120-4 Metric Approach to empower employees to voice sustainability concerns
SIT G 130-1 Metric Approach to funding sustainability initiatives
SIT G 130-2 Metric Sustainability-specific funding as percentage of relevant budgets
SIT G 130-3 Metric Extent to which sustainability factored into setting, approving IT budgets
SIT G 130-4 Metric Extent to which sustainability factored into setting, approving project investments
SIT G 130-5 Metric Incentives or compensation tied to sustainability outcomes
SIT G 140-1 Metric Average training hours per employee, elected and compulsory, over time period
SIT G 140-2 Metric Programs, incentives for sustainability mentoring/coaching
SIT G 140-3 Metric Approach to ensure adequate pipeline of sustainability-related skills

 

Data Governance (200)

SIT Code Type Description Relevant third-party codes
SIT G 210-1 Metric Frequency of data security policy/procedure review and update
SIT G 210-2 Metric Incidents of noncompliance with data security policies/procedures, over time period
SIT G 210-3 Metric Percentage data security incidents where root cause identified and corrective action taken, over time period
SIT G 210-4 Metric Percentage employees receiving mandated data security training
SIT G 220-1 Metric Approach to provide constituents with greater control of personal data
SIT G 220-2 Metric Approach to ensure personal data management consistent with constituent expectations
SIT G 220-3 Metric Substantiated complaints of data misuse or lack of compliance with constituents' instructions, over time period
SIT G 220-4 Metric Number, percentage of constituents impacted by data exposure or loss, over time period
SIT G 230-1 Metric Approach to data usage governance
SIT G 230-2 Metric Data usage policy violations and constituents impacted, over time period
SIT G 230-3 Metric Approach to provide data usage transparency to constituents
SIT G 230-4 Metric Approach to limit environmental impact of data usage

 

Risk Management (300)

SIT Code Type Description Relevant third-party codes
SIT G 310-1 Metric Approach to assess and minimize environmental and economic risks to enterprise systems and service continuity
SIT G 310-2 Metric Resiliency requirements, assessments, and oversight of key vendors/providers
SIT G 310-3 Metric Incidents resulting in business interruption/downtime, and average and cumulative duration, over time period
SIT G 310-4 Metric Constituents affected by business interruptions/downtime, over time period
SIT G 310-5 Metric Percentage essential workers enabled to work remotely or from alternative/back-up locations
SIT G 320-1 Metric Enterprise risk governance approach
SIT G 320-2 Metric Enterprise risk management practices associated with sustainability
SIT G 330-1 Metric Approach to minimize risk of financial fraud, internally and for third-party providers
SIT G 330-2 Metric Approach to increase transparency, redundancy, and frequency of financial review
SIT G 330-3 Metric Approach to assess and address corruption risk and incidents in business operations

 

Technology and Innovation (400)

SIT Code Type Description Relevant third-party codes
SIT G 410-1 Metric Criteria and mechanisms to ensure technology innovations are environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable
SIT G 410-2 Metric Percentage technology innovation projects conducted with sustainability risk and impact assessments, over time period
SIT G 410-3 Metric Incidents of projects failing to comply with sustainability policies or procedures, over time period
SIT G 420-1 Metric Approach to support sustainable future of work in IT and the enterprise
SIT G 420-2 Metric Approach and expenditures for upskilling/reskilling workers for new roles when displaced by automation
SIT G 420-3 Metric Extent of adoption of simple technology accessible to non-technologists
SIT G 430-1.a Metric Approach to limit AI algorithm training energy consumption
SIT G 430-2 Metric Incidents of failure to comply with AI policies or procedures, over time period
SIT G 430-3 Metric Approach to identify and reduce bias in AI analytics
SIT G 430-4 Metric Major risk areas identified for data-based bias and remediation steps taken
SIT G 430-5 Metric Percentage AI algorithms or ML models trained using anti-bias methodologies

 

If you have questions or feedback about the above standards, you can reach us at Standards@SustainableIT.org.

Show your impact

Impress on your team and peers the impact potential of IT’s sustainability leadership – print and display this landscape of IT ESG standards (optimized for 36”w X 24”h).

Download poster