Geospatial tools can create, display, and share geographic and location information have revolutionised the way we shop, commute, and travel.

However, their influence extends far beyond personal convenience: they are pivotal in driving sustainability initiatives across industries. Through enabling greater operational transparency, informing energy use, and reducing environmental impact, geospatial services have become a powerful ally in the pursuit of sustainability goals.

Geospatial services and sustainability

A growing body of evidence suggests that companies investing in geospatial technology are better equipped to achieve sustainability objectives. For instance, 41% of respondents from a survey of 1000 global executives that had invested in geospatial capabilities attribute improvements in sustainable sourcing to those investments. There is significant momentum in this regard, with a tenfold increase in the number of companies adopting geospatial services from 2013 to 2017. The positive impact of this has already been reported with 90% of executives reporting an increase in organisational sustainability since adoption.

Not only are organisations investing in geospatial services to improve sustainability, but they are also reallocating those cost savings to support sustainable initiatives. In the three years following their initial investment, executives were reporting significant reductions in operating costs related to customer service, fleet size, and work hours per day. More than half of these savings have been directed towards sustainability initiatives, highlighting a strong link between the adoption of geospatial services and sustainability.

Maximising benefits

To fully capitalise on the advantages on the services, companies are encouraged to uncover new use cases, capture sustainability data, and innovate within their relative industries. Prioritising end-user benefits, identifying industry-specific applications, and investing in data analytics are crucial steps. With geospatial services, companies can improve sustainability, operational efficiency, and customer experiences, whilst gaining a strong reputation amongst conscious consumers.

Conclusion

Geospatial services have become indispensable tools for driving sustainability and achieving business success. Their impact on various industries is evident, with companies experiencing cost reductions, revenue growth, and improved operational efficiency. By embracing geospatial technology, businesses can proactively address sustainability challenges, make informed decisions, and create exceptional customer experiences. The time to leverage geospatial services is now.

Data taken from Oxford Economics and Google Maps Platform Think Pieces: Mapping the Business Value of Geospatial Services – Oxford Economics