Cătălin Bădescu, BSV Romania Head, Capgemini: One standout initiative is our Sustainable IT transformation program, which helps clients reduce the environmental impact of their digital infrastructure

As part of Capgemini’s  Business to Planet philosophy, the company developed a portfolio of services, designed to navigate the hurdles and at the same time, build in innovation and sustainable performance at scale.  Their sustainability framework first helps  define and commit to becoming a more sustainable organization through new thinking, and even new business models.  

Also, act on these plans with dedicated solutions for building in sustainability into products, redefining operations and supporting technology. It it is critical to report and manage ESG data, to meet the increasing demands of stakeholders, customers, employees and regulatory bodies and also to measure the impact on the bottom line and on the planet.

We talked with Catalin Bădescu, BSV Romania Head  at Capgemini about the company’s priorities and evolutions in terms if achieving sustainability goals this year.

Sustainability & ESG Strategy

How is Capgemini embedding ESG principles into core operations, and what measurable outcomes have emerged so far?

At Capgemini, ESG is not a side initiative – it’s embedded into the very fabric of our operations. Our updated ESG policy for 2025 outlines nine priorities and 14 measurable objectives, focusing on climate action, inclusive work environments, digital inclusion, ethical governance, and data protection. We’ve already achieved significant milestones, such as reducing our carbon footprint, transitioning to 100% renewable energy in many locations, and helping clients save millions of metric tons of CO₂ through sustainable solutions.

In what ways are digital tools—such as AI-driven monitoring and blockchain—enhancing transparency and accountability in your sustainability reporting?

We leverage AI-powered analytics and digital dashboards to monitor ESG KPIs in real time. Tools like our Client Carbon Impact Calculator provide transparent, data-driven insights into the environmental impact of client projects. Blockchain is also being explored for traceability in supply chains, ensuring ethical sourcing and compliance with ESG standards.

What governance structures or leadership roles have you established to ensure ESG goals are aligned with your digital roadmap?

Capgemini has a Group General Secretary and ESG Lead, Olivier Lepick, who oversees the integration of ESG into our global strategy. Locally, we align with this governance through dedicated sustainability leads and cross-functional ESG task forces that ensure our digital transformation efforts are both responsible and impactful.

Which are the most rewarding projects this year in terms of sustainability goals?

One standout initiative is our Sustainable IT transformation program, which helps clients reduce the environmental impact of their digital infrastructure. In Romania, we’ve also launched internal green workplace initiatives and partnered with clients on low-carbon digital solutions that align with our Net Zero ambitions.

Which are your challenges in achieving the sustainability goals this year?

The biggest challenges remain scaling sustainable practices across complex supply chains and ensuring consistent ESG data quality across geographies. Additionally, balancing rapid digital innovation with long-term environmental goals requires constant vigilance and agile governance.

Digital Transformation & AI Integration

Which high-impact business processes have you prioritized for AI and automation in 2025, and how are you measuring success?

In 2025, we’re focusing on finance operations, HR services, and customer support for AI-driven transformation. Success is measured through KPIs like process efficiency, error reduction, employee satisfaction, and carbon savings from reduced manual workloads.

How are you ensuring responsible and ethical AI deployment, including bias mitigation, data privacy, and regulatory compliance?

We follow a Responsible AI framework that includes bias audits, explainability protocols, and strict data governance. Our AI systems are designed with privacy-by-design principles and are regularly reviewed for compliance with EU AI regulations and GDPR.

Have you implemented an AI governance framework, and how does it support transparency, auditability, and growth?

Yes, Capgemini has a comprehensive AI governance model that ensures transparency and accountability. It includes ethics boards, audit trails, and stakeholder engagement to ensure AI systems are fair, explainable, and aligned with our ESG values.

What role does AI-powered analytics play in driving innovation, and how are you balancing investment in AI with long-term sustainability goals?

AI analytics is central to our innovation strategy—it helps us predict trends, optimize operations, and personalize services. We balance this with sustainability by investing in green AI, optimizing compute resources, and ensuring that AI deployments contribute to—not detract from—our Net Zero goals.