So what is the main driver for developing a Green IT strategy? Is it for the green image? Is it driven by the green advocate from within? Or is it because the organization genuinely cares about the ever-increasing carbon footprint generated from the use of IT?
Sadly, it would seem that the main driver is not motivated by good intentions, but by the increasing cost of energy to business to meet growing computing demand and the capital cost of data centers, according to Kenneth Brill, Founder of the Uptime Institute.
The truth is, something has to be done before we run out of power. By 2011 data centers will consume 3% of electrical energy, three times what it was in 2000. In Ken Brill’s words “It's time that the nation's business and government leaders publicly commit their organizations to make enterprise IT and data center energy efficiency a strategic-level priority and set aggressive and quantitative goals for rapid improvement.”
The surprising thing is many C-level executives (for example CIO, CTO, CEO) still don’t understand the significant savings that can be made through the implementation of some relatively simple green strategies. [Look out for my future blog: Quick Wins For A Green Data Center Strategy] A greater understanding is required of where energy is being consumed and wasted in IT in order to make informed decisions to reduce costs and carbon, enabling organizations to move forward and make improvements.
The message is simple, by increasing efficiency, reducing energy consumption and complying with future regulation (UK: Climate Change Levy, US: Cap-and-Trade), your green strategies will offer costs savings benefits while transforming your organization.
[Read my carbon tax blogs for more information on the Climate Change Levy and Cap-and-Trade Program]
In a survey conducted by IBM & Info-Tech Research, 60% of respondent companies had realized benefits from Green IT in terms of decreased electricity and consumable use, decrease in investment, an increase in features and functionality and in meeting customers’ demands. Companies have also realized rebates from utility companies or Government.
So now that it’s been recognized and proven that green is good for your business and for your bottom line, it’s time to stop talking about it and start doing it.
