Steffen Müller - Sustainability by Design: Rethinking Tech and AI for Impact

In this episode, Julien speaks with Steffen Müller, head of Salesforce's Sustainability & Transformation Advisory team, about how companies can align technology, data, and AI with their ecological goals. From carbon accounting to AI’s environmental impact, they explore how sustainability is becoming a core business strategy—not just a compliance issue.

Episode timestamps
00:00 Introduction – The shifting context for business and Stefan Müller’s journey

02:50 Why some companies are backpedaling on sustainability—and why others are not

05:30 Corporate ecological transition: Where are we really?

07:30 Finance and nature: Understanding the $7 trillion gap

09:20 Geopolitical contrasts: US, EU, and China in the sustainability race

12:30 Beyond carbon: Measuring waste, water, and biodiversity impact

15:00 Tackling Scope 3: From spend-based data to real supplier metrics

18:15 Ensuring data integrity: Verification, auditability, and trust

22:00 AI’s footprint: The hidden environmental cost of artificial intelligence

27:30 Designing sustainable AI: Small models, smart principles, and market influence

32:00 AI for good: Empowering farmers, NGOs, and regenerative practices

34:20 The rise of the “sustainability technologist” and evolving team structures

36:40 From dashboards to decisions: Embedding sustainability in business systems

40:10 Case study: Manufacturing, CRM integration, and incentivizing low-impact choices

44:30 Regenerative business: Tech as a tool—if used with intent

47:50 The reboot button: Rethinking the concept of “we”

51:30 Closing thoughts and a call for integrity-driven transformation

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