Going Green
"IT equipment typically accounts for about 15% of a firm's overall energy costs, rising to over 30% for IT intensive organisations. Therefore, IT directors can deliver major cost-savings and environmental benefits by developing strategies to reduce energy consumed by their IT systems." David Vincent, Technology Director, Carbon Trust
Point to Point's Environmental Policy
In fulfilling its obligation to both the general public and employees who may be affected by its activities, the Board of directors at Point to Point Ltd has produced the following statement of policy in acknowledgement of its commitment to its environmental responsibilities. Point to Point will: - meet and where appropriate exceed the requirements of all relevant legislation; - promote recycling and the use of recycled materials, while reducing consumption of materials wherever possible; - actively encourage home working so as to reduce petrol emissions; - work with suppliers to minimise the impact of their operations on the environment through a quality purchasing policy; - include environmental issues in training programmes and encourage the implementation by all Point to Point people of sound environmental practices. Point to Point will continue to monitor and review practices to improve our efforts towards helping the environment.
Environmental impact and why IT directors need to be aware
Over the past few years, environmental issues have pushed their way ever higher up the list of pressing corporate issues. Only three years ago talking about "Going Green" would have been considered eccentric and raised a few eyebrows, however, today it is gaining increasing Boardroom attention because of its longer term implications to an organisation's bottom line, as well as garnering favourable perception from customers. As a result the term Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) www.csr.gov.uk is definitely one you should make yourself familiar with.
What is CSR?
CSR refers to the voluntary actions that business can take, over and above compliance with minimum legal requirements, to address both its own competitive interest, and the interests of wider society. Whilst further ranging than simply environmental concerns it also encompasses the need to tackle inequalities and deprivation in communities across the UK.
How could CSR affect your business?
Corporate Social Responsibility through evolving environmental legislation is destined to become a significant business driver over the next few years, and much sooner than most predicted. Rising energy costs, uncertainty over power supplies and concerns of global warming are forcing both end-users and suppliers to find alternative ways of using less power and decreasing harmful emissions. While building an 'environmentally sensitive' ethos into working, manufacturing and disposal practices/processes, will become essential, rather than simply 'nice to have'.
IT one of the worse offenders!
As a business there are numerous things to consider, from the consumption of energy for heating, cooling and business travel to the safe disposal of environmentally hazardous business equipment. Environmentalists looking at corporate responsibility widely believe that the Information Technology department has been one of the worst offenders with its typically energy intensive requirements. However, through some recent technologies, IT now has the potential to become one of the solutions. Email us to find out about Point to Point solutions. Download complete document >>
Useful web sites
Energy Saving Trust www.est.co.uk
Carbon Trust www.carbontrust.co.uk
Corporate Social responsibility www.csr.gov.uk
Environmental Transport Association www.eta.co.uk
Carplus how to set up a car pool www.carplus.org.uk
Citrix www.citrix.com
VMware www.vmware.com
Greenpeace www.greenpeace.org.uk
Friends of the earth www.foe.co.uk