Paul Schuster, Managing Director Of Sustainability At NTT DATA On Designing Digital Infrastructure For A Net-Zero Future

Sustainability is no longer just a corporate buzzword—it has become a strategic imperative. In this episode of Discover Dialogues, host Nikhil Sonawane, Media relations lead at TechDogs engages in a powerful conversation with Paul Schuster, a global sustainability leader at NTT Data, to uncover how organizations can embed sustainability into the very core of digital transformation.
 

Paul’s Journey Into Sustainability

Paul’s career didn’t begin in sustainability. From launching a startup focused on utilities to leading renewable energy development and later spearheading sustainable infrastructure practices at Accenture, his professional path has always leaned toward impact. Today, as part of NTT Data, Paul is helping one of the world’s largest IT service providers balance digital innovation with climate responsibility.
 

• NTT Data’s Commitments

  NTT Data, part of the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Group, operates one of the largest data center networks globally. Recognizing the urgent climate challenge, the company has set science-based targets:

  • Net zero in data centers by 2030

  • Net zero across global operations by 2035

  • Net zero across the entire value chain by 2040
    
    These commitments align with the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the gold standard for climate accountability.

• Why Collaboration Matters

  Paul emphasizes that “sustainability is a team sport.” From banks funding reforestation projects to technology providers enabling climate data tracking, cross-sector collaboration is essential. He cites examples of how AI and satellite imagery are helping financial institutions validate the impact of their investments on carbon reduction.

• Overcoming Barriers To Scale

  Despite global enthusiasm, many companies struggle to move sustainability beyond compliance. Paul breaks down three main barriers:

  • People: Aligning corporate culture and strategy with sustainability goals.

  • Process: Navigating fragmented global regulations (EU’s CSRD vs. U.S. state laws).

  • Technology: Lack of standardization in ESG data collection and IT systems.
    
    He reframes sustainability as an operational value driver. With over 400 levers for IT efficiency—90% of which deliver ROI in the first year—companies can reduce waste, energy use, and costs while achieving climate targets.

• Designing For Sustainability

  One of Paul’s key messages is to design sustainability into IT systems from the ground up. Instead of retrofitting compliance, companies should embed sustainability in cloud migration, network design, and data center operations. For example, replacing diesel backup power with battery storage not only reduces emissions but also strengthens resilience.

• The Role Of Leadership

  Paul’s leadership advice is simple yet profound: sustainability is not a burden, it’s an enabler of growth. He stresses the importance of transparency, internal communication, and humility. Leaders should inspire change not only with ambitious goals but also with clear roadmaps and cultural alignment.

• Beyond The Boardroom

  The episode ends on a lighter note, with Paul revealing personal sides—his love for European countryside travel, his ongoing struggle to master the guitar, and his nostalgic connection to Disney’s Robin Hood. It’s a reminder that sustainability leaders are not just strategists, but also humans driven by curiosity, creativity, and personal values.

• Why This Conversation Matters

  This dialogue with Paul Schuster offers practical insights, leadership lessons, and real-world examples for business leaders, IT executives, and sustainability professionals. It demonstrates how organizations can leverage technology, collaboration, and culture to achieve both profitability and climate responsibility.

 

About Paul Schuster:

Paul Schuster is a seasoned sustainability leader with over two decades of experience driving clean energy, renewable development, and sustainable infrastructure. From co-founding a startup focused on utility cost management to leading renewable energy initiatives and heading sustainable infrastructure at Accenture, Paul has consistently worked at the intersection of technology, energy, and climate action. Today, as a senior leader at NTT Data, he guides global efforts to embed sustainability into digital transformation, helping organizations align operational efficiency with ambitious climate goals.
Passionate about collaboration and innovation, Paul champions sustainability not just as compliance, but as a growth enabler and strategic advantage.

Read, watch, and share this episode to understand why sustainability must be at the heart of every digital transformation journey.