While there is no single definition of Green IT, one inescapable truth is that for many organizations the IT department remains the largest consumer of energy.
Green IT therefore requires a step change in current practices: reducing unnecessary IT use whilst optimizing technology’s ability to offset emissions from other parts of the business.
Standards are constantly evolving in the area (often in response to external drivers such as the WEEE Directive) and embrace a wide range of disciplines, including those that address the information security challenges presented by cloud computing and increased mobile working.
Of specific interest are data centres, which lay at the heart of the new digital economy. Growing reliance on these comes at a time when the availability of energy is falling and its cost is rising accordingly Current standards relate to specific aspects of data centre operation (cabling) but there is a proposed European standard on data centre design that addresses their energy-efficiency.
Other work includes the EU Code of Conduct on Data Centres which, whilst not a formal standard, is the most advanced good practice to date.
Smarter working in your IT department can save energy and money. Enhance the performance and operation of your IT department and have a positive impact on the environment.
ICT is traditionally regarded as the largest consumer of energy in an organization; however, as companies are pressured into reducing their overall energy usage, a step change is needed.
Energy management systems
BS EN ISO 50001:2011
Energy management systems. Requirements with guidance for use
Environmentally conscious design of ICT equipment
BS EN 62075:2012
Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment. Environmentally conscious design
Assessing your carbon footprint
PAS 2060
Specification for the demonstration of carbon neutrality
Guide to PAS 2050. How to assess the carbon footprint of goods and services
Managing sustainable development
BS 8900:2006 Guidance for managing sustainable development
A Handbook for Sustainable Development. A companion to BS 8900 'Guidance for managing sustainable development'
Download a free copy
PAS 2050
Assessing the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of goods and services
Reporting greenhouse gas emissions
BS EN ISO 14064-1:2012 Greenhouse gases. Specification with guidance at the organization level for quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and removals