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I have often struggled with the question of social sustainability in the IT industry.  We can work diligently to reduce the environmental impact of the equipment and electricity we use in IT and we can measure this impact in CO2 emission reductions, kWh and against best practices.  In the area or social sustainability, it is much more difficult to see the impact.  We can make sure that we are purchasing equipment from responsible manufacturers who are not polluting water sources where they operate, we can look at the social impact of technology such as web 2.0 and the buildin

A new online tool is helping overcome the data center’s energy zapping ways. The Green Grid, a global consortium of IT professionals, is helping organizations with their sustainability efforts by offering a free cooling tool.

An old technology is getting a green facelift. Solid Ink is a Xerox printing technology, whereby solidified ink blocks are melted, producing high-quality print results with vibrant colour. Although this technology has been available for years, a new multi-functional printer (MFP) for the office now offers more environmentally-friendly features.

Are you considering hiring a Green IT Consultant? Before making any decisions, there are five tips you should consider: experience and credentials, green IT knowledge, organization affiliations, IT department experience, and a passion for green IT. Keeping these tips in mind will help you make an informed decision in your quest for the best green IT consultant.

With the dawning of corporate social responsibility, CIOs have the opportunity to use green IT initiatives to move their business ahead of the competition. At the intersection of information technology management and sustainability, there is a significant opportunity to not only reduce operational costs but also to improve operations and gain an edge in the public eye.

Whether you have a green IT program or you're thinking about implementing one, a baseline of your current IT operations is critical to your success. Yet, many companies are skipping the assessment process.

The most important thing to remember when you are promoting your environmental efforts is to be honest. Be transparent about where you are in the process of greening your product. Talk about your diligent research, your goals and the current steps you are taking. Don’t be tempted to announce your product is suddenly ‘green’ when in fact you have a ways to go.

Consider a few of these statistics: green IT reduces businesses’ energy costs by 15%, on average, reduces operating costs by increasing efficiency, increases employee and customer loyalty and helps organizations to be sustainable through technical solutions.
 

You don’t have to be Google, with your own hydroelectric dam, to reap the benefits of a green IT program. A recent case study from the Royal BC Museum Corporation, based on the museum’s 200 employee workstations, showed remarkable potential to cut costs.

Upper management’s approval? Check. Green IT baseline? Check. Green IT strategy? Check. Engaged employees? Not quite.

This is the scenario of many organizations implementing green IT programs. Employee engagement is one of the most critical components to your organization’s green IT program but it’s often overlooked. The benefits of true staff engagement to your business and green IT program ensure the time and effort is well worth it. Engaging your employees can be achieved by following seven simple steps.