At a time when our commitment to mitigate the impact of climate change has never been more urgent, a sustainable approach to technology should be at the heart of any digital transformation strategy. Building on techUK's 2023 insight paper - Cloud computing and the path to a more sustainable future - this event will explore the key pillars of a sustainable approach to cloud services.
As cloud adoption continues to accelerate, the challenge is no longer just about scaling infrastructure - it’s about doing so in a way that is energy-efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable. Speakers and attendees will dive into the latest innovations in data centre and hardware design, cooling, and networking that are shaping a greener foundation for cloud computing, as well as the types of sustainability data customers need to track progress and inform decisions.
A truly sustainable cloud also requires users to take an active role in how they deploy and manage these resources. This event will also highlight best practice for GreenOps, smarter data management, cloud-native technologies, and green software practices - all of which help organisations reduce waste, optimise performance, and meet their sustainability goals.
Speakers will include:
- Lewis Richards, CTO - Energy, Microsoft UK
- Dame Dawn Childs, CEO, Pure Data Centres
- Paul Vivash, Sustainability Lead - Europe, Coreweave
- Fawad Qureshi, Global Field CTO, Snowflake
- Grant Caley, UK Chief Technolgist, NetApp
- Oliver Cronk, Technology Director, Scottlogic
- Su Crighton, Partner, KPMG
- John Abel, Managing Director - Office of the CTO, Google Cloud
- James Hall, Head of GreenOps at Greenpixie.
- Jac Mathews, Global Operations Sustainability Director, Equinix
Additional speakers will be announced in due course.
Agenda
13:30-14:30 - Greening the foundations: Innovation in sustainable cloud infrastructure
- Cutting-edge developments in data centre design, hardware efficiency, and advanced cooling methods that reduce energy use and emissions.
- How cloud providers can deliver infrastructure that balances energy efficiency, cost savings, and performance at scale.
- The UK energy supply chain and what the tech sector needs to deliver cloud and AI infrastructure sustainably as demand scales over time.
- The role of sustainability data and reporting in empowering customers to make informed decisions about their digital transformation strategies.
Speakers:
- Lewis Richards, CTO - Energy, Microsoft UK
- Dame Dawn Childs, CEO, Pure Data Centres
- Jac Mathews, Global Operations Sustainability Director, Equinix
- John Easton, Cloud Distinguished Engineer at IBM
14:30-14:45 - Networking and coffee break
14:45-15:45 - Optimising the cloud: GreenOps, data management, and sustainable best practices
- Using GreenOps to monitor, manage, and optimise cloud usage for lower carbon footprints and reduced waste.
- Smarter data management and cloud-native approaches that enhance efficiency while supporting long-term sustainability goals.
- The growing importance of green software practices and how coding, architecture, and deployment choices impact energy consumption.
Speakers:
- Oliver Cronk, Technology Director, Scottlogic
- Su Crighton, Partner, KPMG
- John Abel, Managing Director - Office of the CTO, Google Cloud
- James Hall, Head of GreenOps at Greenpixie.
15:45-16:00 - Networking and coffee break
16:00-17:00 - AI at Scale: Building a sustainable future for AI in cloud services
- Exploring the energy and resource demands of training and running AI models, how these challenges scale when AI is delivered through cloud services, and what cloud providers (and SaaS companies) can do to mitigate these challenges.
- The role of cloud providers and AI companies in developing more energy-efficient infrastructure and tools to support AI workloads, from specialised chips to optimised data centres.
- GreenOps in an AI world - what do users need to consider when thinking about the underlying carbon footprint of their AI assistant? What sustainability metrics and reporting might customers expect from AI delivered via cloud platforms?
Speakers:
- Fawad Qureshi, Global Field CTO, Snowflake
- Grant Caley, UK Chief Technolgist, NetApp
- Paul Vivash, Sustainability Lead - Europe, Coreweave
- Theresa Yurkewich Hoffmann, Head of Responsible AI at Kainos
Chris Hazell
techUK - Committed to Climate Action
Visit our Climate Action Hub to learn more or to register for regular updates.
By 2030, digital technology can cut global emissions by 15%. Cloud computing, 5G, AI and IoT have the potential to support dramatic reductions in carbon emissions in sectors such as transport, agriculture, and manufacturing. techUK is working to foster the right policy framework and leadership so we can all play our part. For more information on how techUK can support you, please visit our Climate Action Hub and click ‘contact us’.
Upcoming climate events
Cloud computing: The path to a more sustainable future
Hybrid - techUK Offices and Online Meeting
Webinar: New UK government net zero delivery plan - what does it mean for tech?
Online Webinar
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