Due to the rise in innovation and rapid growth in technology, the IT industry is increasingly recognised for its negative impact on the environment. And with growing concerns about the environment and climate change, the need for sustainable IT has grown massively. Many IT providers like us are actively looking for new and improved ways to deliver our services in a way that contributes positively to the environment.

Sustainable IT, also known as Green IT, refers to the production, use, and disposal of technology in a way that creates a positive impact on the environment. The goal of sustainable IT is to reduce the overall negative impact on the environment while meeting the needs of individuals and businesses. It also advocates for the development of IT solutions that are created with eco-friendliness in mind. Many businesses are introducing sustainability within their IT infrastructure through strategies that optimise the technology they already have and minimise the consumption of resources.

The Environmental Impact of IT:

Energy Consumption:

The everyday business devices you use such as your computer can be a significant contributor to carbon emissions. This is because of the energy consumption associated with these devices. Charging these devices relies on the constant energy sources required to power your devices.

However, it’s not just individual devices that are the main reasons behind the increased energy consumption. Large data centres, which serve as the backbone of the online business world for storing and processing large amounts of data, have a huge negative impact on the environment. These data centres require a large amount of electricity to power their servers, cooling systems, and infrastructure.

Additionally, the production of IT devices and hardware involves energy-intensive processes, which, in many cases, are far from sustainable. These processes include the extraction of raw materials for electronic assembling, which demands significant energy to perform and comes at a notable environmental cost.

Resource Consumption and Depletion:

Alongside energy, the everyday IT devices that we use also require non-renewable resources, particularly various metals, and minerals. These finite resources are essential components of the hardware that is inside our laptops, computers, and smartphones. The extraction of these materials harms the environment and contributes to pollution such as soil, air, and even sound. The growth in demand for these raw materials also results in resource depletion which creates a sense of instability within the ecosystem.

Electronic Waste (E-waste):

With the constant manufacturing of electronic devices, and new product development, it has led to the need for businesses and individuals to constantly swap out their devices for the latest releases. As a result, these devices have an increasingly short lifespan which leads to the growing problem of e-waste. E-waste leads to the environment being exposed to toxic substances because of the incorrect disposal of our old gadgets.

Carbon Emissions:

Energy consumption is a major source of carbon emissions and as we mentioned above, the IT industry relies heavily on energy usage. This is especially the case when the energy source used is powered by fossil fuels, which release carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases when burned. These gases are notorious for harming our environment, posing a significant threat to the ecosystem. What's more, is that moving IT products from factories to consumers increases their carbon footprint. When these products are thrown away during the end of their lifecycle, whether they're recycled or dumped in landfills, they release greenhouse gases, adding to climate change.

Key aspects of sustainable IT:

• Energy Efficiency: One of the key aspects of sustainable IT is reducing the use of energy consumption via energy-efficient sources. This involves manufacturing IT equipment with energy efficiency in mind. This includes minimising energy requirements, optimising the production process, and improving the overall performance. Using renewable energy sources for data centres and IT manufacturers can shift the type of energy which is used in a way that is more sustainable.
• Managing Waste: Another key aspect is managing waste, which includes correctly disposing of and recycling e-waste. Effective waste management can ensure that the danger of environmental hazards from discarded electronic equipment is reduced. Partnering up with a company that specialises in recycling and disposing of your equipment will help you make a positive contribution to the environment. Refurbishing old IT equipment can help you extend the life of your gadgets while also saving money.
• Cloud Computing: Moving from on-premises to the cloud is a great way for businesses to reduce their direct energy consumption and carbon emissions. It also helps reduce your electricity consumption as you no longer require powering physical servers, which in turn can help you save money as well as take advantage of more energy-efficient data management.
• Education and Awareness: Raising awareness about sustainable IT is crucial in making employees understand the integral aspects of sustainability and how they can use their IT in a manner that promotes eco-friendliness. Develop and deliver training programs that educate employees about sustainable IT practices. Also, making new employees aware during the onboarding process ensures everyone is on the same page from day one.

Benefits of Eco-friendly IT:

Reduce negative impact on the environment: Sustainable IT practices assist organisations in lowering their carbon footprint by optimising energy consumption, utilising renewable energy sources, and encouraging energy-efficient equipment. This helps to mitigate climate change. By prolonging the lifespan of IT equipment, recycling e-waste, and limiting the use of non-renewable resources in IT manufacturing, sustainable IT promotes responsible resource management.

Increase brand awareness and attract new customers: Sustainable practices can help increase your brand awareness as customers are becoming much more conscious of the environment and are choosing to partner up with brands that align with their views. It will also help you strengthen your reputation and attract new customers.

Improved productivity: Sustainable IT can result in more dependable and efficient systems, lowering downtime and increasing staff productivity. Employee morale and satisfaction can be increased by demonstrating a commitment to sustainability. Employees also frequently appreciate working for organisations that share their values and are concerned about the environment.

Cost Savings: One major advantage is Cost Savings. By using energy-efficient computers and equipment, you can lower your electricity bills significantly. Plus, you won't have to spend as much on cooling systems since eco-friendly IT generates less heat. This can really add up to some big savings over time.

Why Should Businesses Care About Sustainable IT?

Investing in sustainable IT can actually help businesses make smarter business decisions. By using energy-efficient technologies and practices, companies can save money in the long run and improve their overall efficiency. 

Another reason why businesses should care about sustainable IT is because it can help improve their reputation and attract environmentally-conscious customers. This is because consumers are becoming more and more aware of the impact their choices have on the environment. Environmentally conscious individuals are always looking to reduce their environmental impact and want to engage with businesses that do the same. By demonstrating a commitment to sustainability through your IT practices, you can set yourselves apart from the competition and appeal to a wider customer base.

Not to mention, sustainable IT can also lead to a healthier work environment for employees. Businesses can create a more eco-friendly workplace that not only benefits the planet but also the people working in it. Happy employees make for a more productive workforce.

Current Trends in Green Computing:

One big trend in sustainable IT right now is Virtualisation. This technology allows multiple virtual servers to run on a single physical server, reducing the need for individual machines and cutting down on energy consumption. It's a win-win situation for both businesses and the environment.

Another interesting trend is Cloud Computing. By moving data and applications to off-site servers, companies can save on energy costs and reduce their carbon footprint. Plus, it allows for more flexibility and scalability in their operations.

Tips to Reduce Environmental Impact in Computing:

• Postpone upgrading for as long as you can. If your device is extremely slow, speak to an IT professional who may be able to help make your device run like brand new again.
• Shut down computers each day. This will help reduce the electricity consumption as well as reduce the risk of your computer working poorly.
• Embrace in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) best practices. By implementing ESG principles in IT operations, companies can differentiate themselves from the competition and build a strong, trusted brand.
• Adopt and migrate to cloud computing services to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions and work more efficiently. If you’d like to implement cloud services in your business, get in touch today.