Today, both public and private sectors are increasingly under pressure to demonstrate corporate responsibility and environmental best practice. The ‘green’ debate on carbon emissions, climate change, power usage and recycling is no longer limited to the agenda of governments, related agencies and lobbying groups — it also has a slot on the boardroom agenda.
Being green is now more than just a matter of conscience. It can deliver significant financial and corporate results for the business world by reducing operational costs and improving employees’ working environment. There is no negative impact from adopting a solid green corporate policy.
One area where considerable cost savings can be made is in a company’s technology practice and infrastructure. All organisations are now dependent on an IT infrastructure to remain operational — technology is nota choice, it is as critical as a workforce. And the workforce is reliant on the utilities to make the IT infrastructure work and support its daily tasks.
It is probable that the outdated technology that the majority of businesses are using today is damaging the environment and its employees. In addition, employees are adding to the problem by not being responsible and saving energy — predominantly through their lack of awareness and understanding of how power hungry technology is. For example, it costs a company £32.05 in electricity to run a CRT monitor per year and only £8.52 in electricity for a TFT monitor. Add to this that 37% of the UK’s workers don’t switch off their PCs at night and it is transparent that together ‘old’ technology and uninformed people are ruining organisational financial targets.
Becoming green needn’t require a massive financial investment — it’s about education, awareness and behaviour. By adopting green technology, influencing individual employee behaviour and culture, adapting general business policies, and adhering to government regulation, organisations can help commit to a healthier working and world environment. Find out more at: WWW.COMPUTACENTER.COM/HARDWARE/THINKGREEN
