As IBM’s first chief impact officer, Justina Nixon-Saintil drives the company’s strategic alignment with business goals and ESG considerations. Her role also entails scaling impactful initiatives globally, particularly in AI and hybrid cloud. In her opinion, India’s agricultural sector holds immense potential for transformation through AI and other emerging technologies. In this interview, she speaks to Sudhir Chowdhary on IBM’s data-driven approach to sustainability and its engagement with local stakeholders to address climate action. Excerpts:
How is IBM approaching sustainability and what steps is it taking to address climate change?
At IBM, sustainability is rooted in three core pillars. First, we prioritise internal sustainability by reducing emissions and leveraging advanced technologies like AI to meet our environmental goals. Second, we drive social impact through initiatives such as the IBM Sustainability Accelerator, which uses AI and hybrid cloud to address climate challenges in vulnerable communities. Finally, our consulting and technology expertise helps businesses turn data into actionable insights, enabling them to scale their sustainability efforts. Through strategic use of technology, IBM is working toward a equitable and sustainable future.
Tell us about the IBM announcements made at the COP 29 conference.
At COP 29, we partnered with Sustainable Energy for All (SEforAll) to launch AI-powered tools for clean energy in vulnerable communities. One such tool is Open Buildings Insights (OBI), which uses IBM’s watsonx.ai and data platforms to consolidate data on urban buildings, optimise energy usage and urban planning. OBI is available in Kenya and parts of Maharashtra. Additionally, we introduced the Modeling Urban Growth (MUG) tool, that predicts urban expansion, currently trained on data from Africa, but adaptable for use anywhere globally using publicly available data.
What has the IBM Sustainability Accelerator programme achieved so far?
Launched in 2022, the IBM Sustainability Accelerator is a global pro bono programme using IBM’s hybrid cloud, watsonx AI, and expertise to help nonprofits and governments tackle environmental challenges. Using IBM Garage’s design thinking approach, we collaborate with various teams to develop impactful solutions tailored to local needs. Each year, the programme supports five organisations aligned with the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs), working over two years to implement sustainable solutions. To date, we’ve launched four cohorts focusing on sustainable agriculture, clean energy, and resilient cities. One example is our sustainable agriculture initiative, which reached 65,000 smallholder farmers worldwide, improving yields and livelihoods.
What is the potential for digital technologies in Indian agriculture?
India’s agricultural sector holds immense potential for transformation through AI, ML, IoT, and automation. These technologies can drive productivity and sustainability by enabling precision farming – whether predicting weather patterns, analysing soil conditions, or automating irrigation and harvesting. For example, our CRM Connect project in North India has demonstrated how such innovations can address challenges like food security while empowering farmers to transition from traditional practices to modern, data-driven approaches.
How is IBM engaging with local stakeholders on climate action?
In India, IBM is addressing climate action through impactful technology-driven projects. For example, our CRM Connect app with The Nature Conservancy helped over 1,000 farmers reduce crop residue burning, improving both soil and air quality in North India.
Beyond sustainability, what are your other focus areas?
As IBM’s chief impact officer, my focus extends beyond sustainability to ensuring access to essential skills for all in AI, cybersecurity, and other critical tech areas. Our mission is to empower people globally, with a target of skilling 30 million individuals by 2030, including two million in AI by 2026, through the IBM SkillsBuild programme. Through partnerships with nonprofits and educational institutions, we’ve already reached over 11 million people, providing them training to bridge the skills gap.
How do you use AI and cloud for environment protection?
At IBM, we harness the power of AI and hybrid cloud to
address pressing societal and environmental challenges. From forecasting flash floods and improving water management to expanding access to clean energy, we use technology
as a force for good. Our overarching goal is to empower communities and build a thriving, sustainable future. However, to scale advanced technologies for mass adoption, it’s essential to demonstrate their real-world impact. IBM’s agricultural pilot with Heifer International in Malawi, which is being expanded globally, is a prime example. Through collaborations with nonprofits and governments, we’ve supported 15 projects across six continents.