More research uncovers green IT ignorance

While IT is seen to be responsible for driving green initiatives in the UK, half of IT decision makers believe that IT is not responsible for the bulk of an organisation's CO2 emissions, according to new research.

Of the 350 organisations questioned throughout the UK for the independent research commissioned by specialist value-added distributor Bell Micro, half were unclear as to the actual value of a green policy.

And most notably, of the eight per cent of UK organisations that have implemented a full green IT policy, the most common measures taken are the recycling of hardware, paper and cans, which the distributor said indicates green policies are falling short when it comes to addressing the real concerns of IT infrastructure energy consumption.

Of those that did have a green IT policy, 15 per cent have not yet started implementation, while 61 per cent have not implemented them completely. And only a quarter of those with existing policies had addressed the need for increased hardware utilisation or recommended implementing energy saving hardware or software solutions.

Fewer still had assessed the impact of virtualisation or consolidation of either virtual or actual storage within the data centre - 13 per cent in both cases.

The survey's finding echo those of a number of recent investigations into IT's responsibility for a large proportion of an organisation's energy consumption.

In March, data centre managers admitted dealing with green IT issues was causing confusion, at the same time as they were in the dark over energy consumption. Yet, both Gartner and the World Wildlife Foundation have claimed the IT industry is on a par with that of aviation's annual global CO2 emissions.

However, the Bell Micro survey also asked what businesses would do if faced with the prospect of being forced to implement a compliant green IT policy. Only 18 per cent UK business feared that they would not be ready within a 12-month period.

But most of those with an existing policy (85 per cent) were more likely to outsource IT functionality. Although only 27 per cent insisted on checking the green credentials of a supplier, a further 21 per cent admitted to having no knowledge if such checks were even in place.

"Faced with these findings one has to question the current ethics of outsourcing green IT," said Antony Young, director of Bell Micro's services, security and networking divisions.

"It is also worth remembering that if green IT does become subject to legislation it is highly unlikely that such unregulated outsourcing would be acceptable," he added. "UK businesses clearly must introduce more vigorous vetting procedures when outsourcing to third party organisations. What is apparent from these findings is that IT departments require a quantifiable green education and structured response."

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