EXECUTIVE INSIGHT
From the rainforests of Kenya to the Great Belt bridge of Denmark , IBM is quietly making its mark in carbon reduction .
For a genuine corporate giant – 310,000 employees in six continents , 18 million LinkedIn followers , 38 national HQs – the IT services and consulting firm tries to tread gently .
This emanates from a culture of creativity and care that has grown as the business has thrived since its formation in 1911 .
It is this culture that has been inherited by Christina Shim , who has been IBM ’ s Chief Sustainability Officer since 2 May 2024 .
Christina , who joined the Women in Sustainability panel at Sustainability LIVE Climate Week NYC in September 2024 , took over from a legend of sustainability , Wayne Balta , who retired after 40 years in the business .
She speaks to Sustainability Magazine about how she is relishing the challenge .
Q . HOW ARE YOU SETTLING INTO YOUR ROLE AS CSO ?
» This is an incredibly exciting time to lead IBM ’ s strategy around sustainability . There is a lot of work ahead in the sustainability field , but I am thrilled to be working on this important issue here . Sustainability is not just a feel-good word here , it is in our DNA . Our legacy includes leading the charge in creating environmental policies well before most companies ( 1971 ), helping to develop international standards and driving toward ambitious environmental goals in line with the UN IPCC . To build on that as IBM prioritises the hybrid cloud and AI space is an amazing opportunity .
In this role , I am able to tap into technology and experts from throughout IBM , as well as collaborate closely with our wonderful partners across the public , private and nonprofit sectors . IBM also serves as “ client zero ” for many of the cutting-edge technologies that we bring to market , which gives my office the opportunity to test and refine solutions and accelerate our own sustainability efforts with strong support from the business .
Q . WHAT ARE YOU ENJOYING MOST ABOUT THE JOB ?
» At a time when the sustainability landscape is evolving so dynamically , IBM is the perfect place from which to pursue partnerships , drive forward innovation and deploy technology to help accelerate progress .
We have hundreds of thousands of employees across more than 150 countries and a century of experience in research , innovation and working with our communities . IBM ’ s mission is to “ be the catalyst that makes the world work better ,” and it ’ s one we take seriously .
IBM is already playing a part through our AI and energy efficiency work , materials science innovation and thought leadership in quantum commercial development , as a few examples . There is plenty of opportunity to do even more , as well as more integrally embedding sustainability throughout the enterprise and how we do business and build products .
86 February 2025