It is widely known and accepted that computers, and IT in general, contribute greatly to global warming. Through energy consumption, irresponsible disposal of hardware that lacks biodegradability, and the use of hazardous materials, corporate information technology departments are ultimate sources of environmental destruction.
Organizations around the world have been called upon to focus on greening their operations. While this positively affects the entire planet, your business must ensure a structured and goal-oriented path to this greening, to ensure a smooth long-term transition resulting in reduced energy consumption, smart disposal, center design efficient data storage and implementation of products made with the environment in mind. Being green is both “politically correct” and an environmental obligation, but corporations must also ensure that the result produces a positive return on investment (ROI).
There are four main paths to greening an entire organization:
- Intelligent use of energy and information systems (“green use”)
- Waste reduction, hardware reuse and refurbishment, and recycling of end-of-life peripherals and other items (“green disposal”)
- Efficient design of data centers and workstations (“green design”)
- Informed purchase of components, peripherals and equipment manufactured with the environment in mind (“green manufacturing”)
Going Green, Make Sure the Changes and Processes You Implement Don’t Sacrifice Five Important Areas of Organizational Obligation:
- Positivity of the user experience
- Workflow efficiency
- Regulatory compliance and security
- Customer or customer satisfaction
- Return of investment
To achieve sustainability goals along the aforementioned paths and without sacrificing the five areas of obligation, management must initiate the transition through a well-organized, cross-departmental strategy. Below are several steps to include within your plan:
1. Develop a comprehensive plan that consists of both immediate goals and a long-term vision. To do this, develop a three- to five-year roadmap that includes current needs or advancements (such as telecommuting, energy efficiency, and reduced paper use), items for competitive advancement, and even a “wish list.” “desirable, but not immediately justifiable. Options Don’t just focus on things that will bring instant gratification. Remember to include strategies for results that may take three to five years or more to reap future benefits. Leave room for technological advancement, flexibility and scalability.
2. Don’t forget to include all of your assets in your plan. For example, when you think about IT changes, consider the end user. How will the plan affect the human element within your business? While financial viability and sustainability are the desired outcome, without user satisfaction, results will suffer. Employee acceptance is a definite requirement. Also, will the changes affect HR needs in terms of job titles, working hours, and departmental structure?
3. Commit to gradual implementation. Make changes to be enacted in phases to ensure a smooth transition and minimal effect on customers, overall operations, and profitability.
4. Develop and use relationships. Network – in the social business sense – with peers in the sustainability movement, other organizations towards key and mutually beneficial relationships, and potential partners in advantageous relationships. Get to know the manufacturers of items your organization needs to develop a true green approach, then use those relationships to partner on pilot programs or other strategies that can lower your costs.
In greening your business, you’ll notice many of the same obstacles you see in any corporate strategy change or implementation process. There will probably be budgetary, structural and human resource problems. To avoid a negative impact on your organization, take a stand to engage employees in your company’s green computing future. Allow them to voice their concerns and comments, as these changes will initially be uncomfortable for many (as will any major change within a business environment). Recruit marketing staff to assist with internal and external corporate communications regarding what will prove to be beneficial changes and responsible advances within your company.
Regardless of the size of your business, you can positively impact the future of the planet through simple changes to computing and the structure of your IT environments. Whether you’re starting small with cloud computing, reducing paper and print consumption, adopting energy efficiencies, or implementing remote work options, reducing your carbon footprint can start right away. Without a doubt, Green Computing is the future, and perhaps even an obligation of the human race, to ensure the longevity of both our businesses and the environment in which we exist.
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