Data Mining

BUSINESS COMMUNITY RESEARCH REPORT

Green Computing

The role of IT in the push towards environmental sustainability

David Tebbutt and Dale Vile, June 2008 Today’s newspapers are awash with green initiatives. Where computers are discussed it is generally with reference to operational power management, rather than how IT can help a business achieve its environmental goals. The environmental damage caused by our love affair with computers and other electronic devices runs deep. This paper, based on an international survey of IT professionals, examines the broader picture and the part we can all play in resolving the issues.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Drivers for environmental initiatives are regulatory pressure and cost Regulation is the primary driver of environmental initiatives, closely followed by cost considerations. PR value is third while genuine concern for the environment ranked fifth out of six criteria. Staff appear to be ahead of the organisation in environmental concerns Over 60 percent of respondents are ‘passionate’ about the need to deal with environmental issues, but only a third of organisations take environmental issues ‘seriously’. The highest levels of concern are detected in the very smallest and largest companies. It is not the first time that the mid-ground has proven hard to address but they stand to gain just as much as the other organisations. IT can improve its own environmental performance Energy is the big talking point at the moment with consolidation and virtualisation driving power savings. However, the majority of IT departments are not accountable for power usage. If this were changed, it would greatly affect IT decision-making in this area. IT also needs to take a clear look at the lifecycle environmental impact of its purchasing and disposal choices. IT can help the company with its environmental objectives Of the six main options offered, the top three ways in which IT can help the company improve its environmental performance all...