Driving sustainable transformation through technology and data

Sustainability has become one of the defining priorities of our time. Organizations across industries are rethinking their impact, using technology and data to create measurable, long-term value. At NTT DATA, this responsibility sits at the heart of our business strategy, shaping innovation and guiding every decision toward a more resilient and responsible future.

In a recent podcast with TechMarketView, the conversation explored how NTT DATA uses technology, data and science-based methods to drive real progress on sustainability, underscoring the growing connection between sustainability and digital transformation and why that link has become so critical today.

A legacy rooted in responsibility

NTT DATA’s commitment to sustainability is deeply connected to our Japanese heritage, where respect for nature, long-term value and community are central cultural principles. The journey began with business transformation and soon expanded to embrace the broader “3Ps” of sustainability: Planet, People and Prosperity.

This holistic approach treats sustainability as a foundation for resilience and long-term readiness, not just a compliance requirement. Through active participation in joint initiatives with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, we reinforce our position as a responsible corporate citizen and show that sustainability is a strategic priority closely aligned with governance, risk management and long-term growth.

Sustainable by design

One of the most important lessons NTT DATA advocates is the need to build sustainability into every system and process from the very beginning. Building with these principles in mind is far more effective than trying to add them later, when changes become costly and complex.

This approach, known as “sustainable by design,” ensures that environmental considerations are part of every product, service and operation from day one.

Every organization’s sustainability path is different, but most face common challenges, especially around data quality and governance in the context of evolving regulations such as the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Transparency is a key priority, along with the measurement, sharing and management of sustainability data as a collective asset. It helps build trust across the organization and accelerates meaningful progress.

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Syntphony Beyond Net Zero

Turning vision into reality requires the right tools. That’s why at NTT DATA, we combine our global expertise in technology, data and science-based methods to create digital platforms that compose solutions tailored to each client’s needs.

For this purpose, we created Syntphony, a global platform of digital products designed to accelerate innovation and align business strategy with technology. Within this ecosystem, Syntphony Beyond Net Zero focuses on helping organizations measure and reduce their environmental impact while supporting their journey toward decarbonization and regulatory compliance.

The solution combines advanced calculation and reporting tools to give companies a clear view of their end-to-end environmental footprint. Its components, including the ICT Carbon Calculator, Environmental Markets and Natural Capital, work together to translate complex sustainability data into actionable insights. Through this approach, we help organizations integrate sustainability into digital transformation, creating pathways toward measurable, science-based progress.

The ICT Carbon Calculator

As part of the Syntphony Beyond Net Zero suite, the ICT Carbon Calculator redefines how organizations manage the environmental impact of their IT operations. Developed by sustainability and technology experts at NTT DATA, it provides a unified, science-based approach to measuring and optimizing emissions across the entire IT landscape, from infrastructure and applications to cloud environments and data centers.

The tool consolidates complex carbon data into clear insights that support strategy and accountability. It allows teams to simulate the impact of IT decisions before implementation and to integrate carbon performance indicators alongside cost and efficiency metrics. By embedding sustainability metrics directly into development platforms, the ICT Carbon Calculator gives engineers real-time visibility of the emissions of the applications they build, enabling more informed and responsible innovation.

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AI for a greener tomorrow

AI is driving unprecedented demand for energy, water and raw materials, creating new environmental pressures that can no longer be ignored. At the same time, it holds enormous potential to help solve the very challenges to which it contributes. NTT DATA is addressing this paradox by working to make AI more sustainable while controlling it to meet broader sustainability goals.

We are measuring the environmental footprint of AI models and improving transparency across training and operations. The next release of the ICT Carbon Calculator will include dedicated AI metrics so organizations can track and reduce the impact of their models. Upcoming features will also use agentic AI to automate sustainability reporting and support compliance with the CSRD.

These capabilities allow organizations to test different scenarios before implementation, comparing performance, cost and environmental outcomes. The platform also provides real-time insight into regional energy sources, data center optimization and smarter energy contract negotiations.

Turning commitment into action

NTT DATA’s vision is grounded in turning sustainability from an ambition into measurable progress. Embedding environmental responsibility into technology design, governance and decision-making helps organizations cut emissions, boost efficiency and build long-term resilience.

With platforms like Syntphony and tools such as the ICT Carbon Calculator, we are empowering organizations to make informed, impactful decisions that balance performance, cost and environmental responsibility.

Meaningful progress comes when sustainability benefits everyone: The planet, people and business alike.