AdVaes announces a major partnership with Alliancy

Since its creation in 2020, AdVaes has been analysing the non-financial developments and progress of IT providers (data centre operators, cloud computing service providers, software publishers, hardware and component manufacturers, digital services companies, etc.). The company, an independent consultancy specialising in analysis and strategic research, sits at the crossroads of digital innovation and environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies, working towards a more sustainable tech sector. Within this framework, it has developed evaluation methodologies (scoring systems) and rankings, as well as tools such as its Sustainable IT Barometer and its ESG x Tech Data Platform, taking into account the specific characteristics of the activities in this sector. Its approach differs from more generalist ones, offering a more detailed and granular assessment (e.g. cloud models or AI systems).

➜ A shared conviction

AdVaes is convinced that IT providers which combine financial and non-financial factors are better prepared to cope with the uncertain economic environment, market expectations, and pressures on supply chains, skills and prices (see current energy challenges). For example, the analysis of impacts, risks and opportunities (IRO), which is expected in all non-financial reporting, helps to develop strategies for adaptation and resilience. Furthermore, this exercise helps to build an environment of trust, work towards reducing dependencies and explore alternatives in terms of innovation and investment. Linking financial and non-financial factors provides a completely different perspective. Having data to clarify non-financial progress also becomes particularly meaningful.

However, assessing the results of IT providers’ sustainable actions is a complex task. AdVaes has developed a robust and rigorous methodology to evaluate them, the result of several years of research. Its scores and positioning matrices are underpinned by data. They go beyond the narratives typically used. The aim is to help organisations select IT providers that align with their sustainability criteria, to highlight the achievements of the best performers and to encourage the others to improve.

➜ An exclusive partnership

The exclusive partnership with Alliancy is part of this drive to shed light on and guide innovation and sustainability in IT. It brings together a committed community. Alliancy’s commitment, like that of AdVaes, is to ensure that digital transformation is managed effectively and is meaningful. Alliancy, a trusted third party within the digital ecosystem, operates across three operational areas that complement AdVaes’ activities:

1. Informing by producing decisive, practice-based information.
2. Connecting by forging meaningful links, at the right time, on current and future challenges. Alliancy facilitates a vast network of change agents (C-level executives) through its Do Tanks, coalitions and circles of trust.
3. Transforming by forging conviction and facilitating the transition to action through its “Ecosystem Advisors” and experts from the “Research and Action” division.

For its part, AdVaes brings to Alliancy its expertise in:

1. Its rankings and scoring of tech companies’ environmental performance: “Sustainable IT — Alliancy Top Leaders by AdVaes® Ranking”.
2. Its “2026 Sustainable IT Barometer”, a highlight of which is scheduled for the GreenTech Forum 2026, another partner in this initiative.

➜ A unique methodological approach

The scorecards and rankings focus on IT providers ranked in the top 10–50 of their market segment in terms of turnover. The 110 IT providers analysed, all operating in France, had a combined turnover of more than 3,200 billion euros in 2024, representing 69 per cent of the global IT market. They are ranked according to the average annual decline in three specific indicators:

• Energy intensity, a ratio expressed in megawatt-hours (MWh) relative to turnover.
• Carbon intensity, a ratio expressed in metric tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (mtCO₂ equivalent or mtCO₂eq) relative to turnover.
• Water consumption intensity, or water intensity, a ratio expressed in cubic metres (m³) relative to turnover.

AdVaes goes a step further by presenting a cross-matrix (carbon x energy) as well as rankings based on a broader scoring system. This scoring system covers seven environmental indicators and is based on data – including trends in the intensity indicators mentioned above – as well as qualitative assessments supported by facts and concrete actions undertaken. The cross-matrix makes it possible to distinguish ‘high-performing’ IT providers from those ‘facing challenges’ on one of the criteria (carbon or energy), and from ‘laggards’ who have neither reduced nor mitigated their intensity during the period.