The UK government has urged businesses to adopt cloud technology in a bid to reduce their carbon footprint, given that the cloud is vastly more sustainable than traditional tech solutions such as on-premise servers. By moving to the cloud, businesses will be able to meet the goal of halving their carbon emissions by 2030. 

However, most organisations report being only 20% through their journey to the cloud. Considering this, we’ve written this article to help you address any questions you may have about moving to the cloud and understand what this means for your business' sustainability. Before we get into the nitty-gritty, though, let’s start with what we mean by ‘the cloud’. 

What is the cloud?

The cloud, in essence, is all about storing and communicating with data over the internet, instead of on your computer's hard drive or a server in your office. While you may not realise it, you’re probably using the cloud already.  

The likes of Facebook, Netflix and Spotify all run on the cloud, alongside millions of other organisations across the globe. The cloud is not just for large multinational companies, however, and every business no matter the size or sector can benefit from moving to the cloud.

Cost savings, increased reliability and security and, of course, a more sustainable business operation are just some of the advantages to be reaped from adopting a cloud-first approach. 

How can moving to the cloud make my business more sustainable?

If you’re not on the cloud then you’re probably managing and processing data on a local server. This traditional tech solution, however, consumes mammoth amounts of energy and greatly increases carbon emissions. This is due to the large amount of space needed to house complex machinery and the - usually far - distance from its power source. 

Cloud data centres are often built in optimal spots, close to power facilities. Additionally, a more efficient hardware set-up means that data centres use less energy to serve more organisations.

Google, renowned as the greenest cloud in the industry, is two times more efficient than typical enterprise data centres. It was the first major company to become carbon neutral in 2007 and each of its cloud regions now run on 100% renewable energy. Google isn’t stopping there, however. It aims to be carbon-free by 2030 and is committed to continuing to lead the way and enable everyone to be part of the climate change solution.

Business sustainability doesn't stop at the environment, however: there is also an emphasis on economic development through improved performance. The cloud can help with this too by enabling organisations to reduce costs and operate more efficiently. For example, on Google Cloud, you only pay for what you use. This means that when there’s high demand for your business you can easily scale up and increase your Google Cloud spend. On the flip side, when there’s less demand you can be assured that you won’t pay for unused services. What's more, Google can do all that for you so you don’t even have to think about it.

Which cloud solution is best for my business?

From Infrastructure Modernisation to Data Analytics, AI and Machine Learning, there is so much you can do on the cloud. The sheer volume of possibilities, however, can be overwhelming. Throw in multiple cloud providers and it’s understandable why businesses have been relatively slow in adopting a cloud-first approach.

The best cloud solution for you will fully depend on your unique business needs and goals. The best way to get started on your journey to the cloud is by speaking to the experts. When you book a discovery call with Cobry, we will get to know your business and your goals and will support you in mapping out your unique cloud journey. The result will be your digitally transformed, more sustainable business.

If you'd like to find out more about how to become a more sustainable business (among many other benefits) then don't hesitate to get in touch!