Schneider Electric, the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, has today announced a new independent research study with leading IT Channel analyst Canalys, exploring the maturity of IT Channel sustainability initiatives, and the impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) on customer purchasing decisions. Canalys sought to understand the readiness of the global IT Channel Ecosystem in their sustainability journeys and the role of the partner in the wider ecosystem.

The new Canalys report, in which 120 EMEA partners were surveyed found that channel businesses are already investing in their sustainability strategies, with three-quarters of partners having dedicated ESG resources. However, many channel businesses still struggle to translate this into action. Customers are also increasing the focus on ESG, specifically in terms of environmental considerations, with 69 percent of partners stating that customer environmental considerations are driving IT investment decisions. Partner interviews highlighted significant differences in maturity between partner size and geography.

The report also found the majority of partners have already identified the benefits of providing take back and recycling services, with more than 65 percent of the partners surveyed already offering take-back.

Regulations are a challenge for the majority of partners, due to the complexity of ESG strategies and the need for differing local regulatory initiatives. This was particularly evident in interviews with smaller partners, who lack the resources to dedicate to their sustainability strategies.

The market research validates the need for sustainable end-to-end practices and solutions delivered by leading IT and technology vendors.