Sustainable IT (or Green IT) aims to minimize the negative environmental impact of IT operations by finding eco-friendly ways to design, manufacture, use and dispose of IT technology. In this concept, any kind of technological component must limit their impact on the environment and contribute to reducing energy consumption, lowering carbon emissions, and decreasing electronic waste.
The scope of Sustainable IT covers all aspects of the IT lifecycle; from data centers, the environmental footprint of hardware, the development of energy-efficient software, and the implementation of sustainable IT policies and practices within organizations.
Importance of Sustainable IT
The carbon footprint of IT infrastructure is a significant issue. The information and communication technology (ICT) sector is responsible for between 1.8% and 3.9% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The International Energy Agency estimates that data centers consumed 460 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2022—2% of overall global electricity use. By 2030, they could consume between 3% and 8% of the world’s electricity. The acceleration of technological advancement and demand for IT products and services also lead to more electronic waste (e-waste). The United Nations estimates that the world generates approximately 54 million metric tonnes of e-waste annually,3 with only 20% being recycled.
There are also some other key harmful impacts for the environment like resource depletion – the production of IT hardware requires significant amounts of raw materials, including rare metals and minerals-; and pollution -the manufacturing and disposal of IT products can result in the release of toxic substances into the environment.
How to achieve Sustainable IT
Here are some factors to consider for achieving Green IT.
- Energy efficiency: Reducing the amount of electricity consumed by data centers, servers and other IT equipment through better energy management. Sustainable IT focuses on making data centres more energy-efficient through various strategies.
- Renewable energy: Changing to renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind or hydropower, can reduce the carbon footprint of IT operations.
- Cloud computing: Moving workloads to the cloud reduces the need for physical infrastructure, thus saving energy and reducing e-waste.
- Sustainable Hardware: For example, recyclable Materials, energy-Efficient Devices and modular Designs
- Sustainable sourcing: Responsible sourcing from suppliers that prioritize sustainability can help reduce the environmental impact of the IT supply chain.
- Sustainable software development: Sustainable software development focuses on efficient coding practices that reduce the required processing power and memory, which in turn reduces energy consumption. For example, writing code that is optimized for performance and energy efficiency minimizes the resources required to execute software functions.
- Virtualisation: Implementing virtualisation technologies to consolidate multiple virtual machines on a single physical server, reducing the number of physical servers required and lowering energy use.
- New technologies: For example, Artificial intelligence (AI) can optimize processes, predict system failures and automate routine tasks, reducing energy consumption and waste; or Machine learning (ML) algorithms can analyze patterns in data to improve energy efficiency; and Internet of Things (IoT) devices monitor energy usage in real time for efficiency.
However, there are obstacles to implement these Green IT technologies. Investing in energy-efficient technologies, upgrading infrastructure, and adopting sustainable practices often require significant financial costs. Also, there is a lack of awareness about the long-term benefits and cost savings associated with Sustainable IT. Without a clear understanding of these advantages, organisations may be reluctant to make the necessary investments.
The benefits of Sustainable IT for organizations
Implementing sustainable IT practices offers many benefits.
Firstly, adopting sustainable IT practices significantly reduces operational costs. By implementing energy-efficient servers, virtualization, and cloud solutions, companies can lower their energy consumption dramatically. For example, according to the International Energy Agency, energy-efficient data centers can reduce electricity usage by up to 40%. This reduction not only leads to lower utility bills but also diminishes the need for extensive cooling mechanisms, which are typically major cost drivers in data center management.
With Green IT, organizations are more resilient in the face of disruptions caused by climate change, such as extreme weather events or resource scarcity, since climate change poses various risks, including supply chain disruptions and resource scarcity. Businesses that invest in green IT are better prepared to mitigate these risks and ensure continuity in operations.
Also, embracing sustainability efforts can drive innovation and provide a competitive advantage, as companies develop new technologies and business models to achieve a more sustainable future. By focusing on sustainable practices, companies often invest in new technologies and solutions that can lead to groundbreaking advancements. These technological advancements not only improve environmental outcomes but also drive business growth by optimizing operational processes.
