Green IT remains a red-hot issue

With the eruption of the Icelandic volcano, nature did what environmentalists have been trying to do for years: reduce the carbon dioxide emitted into our skies by the aviation industry.

Environmental activists have long concentrated on the aviation industry’s emissions. But what would happen if that gaze turned to the IT industry, and asked us what we are doing to reduce our carbon footprint?

There will come a time when organisations will have no choice but to adhere to legislation on the reduction of greenhouse gases.

Studies have shown that electricity consumption of PCs is growing by five per cent a year globally. In an average small to medium-sized enterprise, electricity consumption accounts for 10 per cent of an IT department’s budget, rising to more than 50 per cent in some extreme cases.

More worryingly, between 2000 and 2005, electricity consumed by datacentres worldwide doubled. In 2007 the US Environmental Protection Agency estimated that by the end of 2011 in the US alone, 10 new power stations would be needed to cope with the demand for energy.

To reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions while answering demands for more computing and technical solutions for their business, organisations must invest in green IT now, before it becomes a PR headache. How many firms would welcome the same level of negative press that has been levelled at aviation?

Green IT is not just focused on reducing the environmental impact of the IT industry. It also means using IT services to reduce the firm’s carbon footprint, regardless of its type, shape or size.

There is a perception that green initiatives cost money. Fortunately, the opposite is usually true. Green IT is a common-sense approach to delivering cleaner, less-expensive IT that will embed environmental and financial efficiencies. However, you have to put in the hard work. Greenwash just won’t wash.

In addition to savings, committing to tackling environmental issues has the potential to make an impact on the company’s brand value. The time is ripe for organisations to take action.

Mark O’Neill is the author of Green IT for Sustainable Business Practice, published by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT. See www.bcs.org/books for details