Currently, Carbon emission is become one of the most famous topics around the world as it leads to global warming that has significant impact to all of us. “Carbon Footprint”, another term that we are acquaintance with, and we use this term to measure the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide that are emitted into the atmosphere some measures and manage carbon footprint for compliance reason and some risk management on their supply chains, and other risks that can impact their business.
So how do we as a technology industry leader associate with this term?
The answer is simple…looking at Information Technology industry, we consume large amount of energy required to power and cool servers, data centers, and other IT infrastructure. Besides, the manufacturing of electronic devices and the transportation of goods also contribute to the carbon footprint of the IT industry. Data centers alone are a major contributor to the IT industry’s carbon footprint. In according to a study by the International Energy Agency (IEA), Global data center electricity use in 2021 was 220-320 TWh, or around 0.9-1.3% of global final electricity demand. Technology is a key driver for greater efficiency, so it is very important to start at us.
Some specific reasons include:
- Environmental regulations: Many countries and states have implemented regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and companies with high carbon footprints may be subject to penalties or fines.
- Reputation: Consumers and investors are becoming increasingly aware of environmental issues and may choose to do business with companies that have a lower carbon footprint.
- Cost savings: Implementing strategies to reduce carbon emissions can lead to cost savings through energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources.
- Risk management: Climate change can lead to supply chain disruptions, extreme weather events, and other risks that can impact a business.
- Long-term sustainability: A company with a high carbon footprint may be viewed as unsustainable in the long-term, which could lead to decreased value and increased risks.
- Compliance: Many large organizations have to disclose their carbon footprint by law.
To manage carbon footprint, it can be embedded into IT Strategies, integrated into an IT management system and processes that reduce the energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with IT infrastructure.
This includes:
- Energy-efficient hardware: Using energy-efficient servers, storage systems, and other IT equipment can significantly reduce the energy consumption of data centers and other IT infrastructure.
- Virtualization: Using virtualization technologies, such as server and desktop virtualization, can help to reduce the number of physical servers required, which in turn reduces the energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with IT infrastructure.
- Cloud computing: Organizations can take advantage of cloud computing services by using shared infrastructure provided by a cloud service provider, AWS, estimates that this can reduce carbon emissions by as much as 88% compared to on-premises systems that are inefficiently utilized and required constant cooling.
- Green IT policies with more digital services: Organizations can implement policies and procedures that encourage the use of energy-efficient IT equipment and practices. This can include telecommuting, reducing paper usage, and recycling or repurposing old IT equipment.
There’s no doubt that managing the carbon footprint is a tough road to walk but using our technology can help organizations to reduce their energy consumption and carbon emissions, while also help organizations to ensure long-term sustainability, reduce risks and comply with regulations, and improve the company’s reputation.
