Todd Thibodeaux

The US is understandably vocal about its position at the forefront of IT innovation, but green IT is an area where the UK arguably leads the way. The UK should capitalise on this opportunity to develop products and services that establish green IT best practice.

But as the harsh economic climate forces organisations to review their priorities, green IT could suffer. Cutting costs while trying to reduce carbon emissions and waste is tough. But with the government’s Carbon Reduction Commitment requiring large organisations to monitor and report energy use from April 2010 and pay fines for poor performance, everyone will have to do their bit.

Hitting carbon targets and saving money are not mutually exclusive. While green technology can be costly, well-thought-out green policies that take business objectives into account can save money and energy.

A considered IT strategy can help organisations reduce costs, cut emissions and improve environmental credentials. There are three important things to consider.

First, IT strategy must take account of existing cost-saving priorities. IT directors who give the board a coherent business case demonstrating the beneficial financial impact of greener IT policies will likely find their ideas well received.

Don’t form vague ideas then expect big money for new systems ­ – cost it out. Show where and when you will make savings, starting with the most cost-effective policies, and where an initial outlay will deliver long-term cost benefits. Your plans should demonstrate how policies fit into the organisation’s overarching strategy – ­ and how to effectively implement them at every level.

Second, the strategy should be phased. Begin with an initial burst of cost-effective activity that delivers a quick impact to prove the concept.

Decision makers take fewer risks in a recession. They need to see how a green IT policy will work in their organisation and its financial, environmental and morale impact.

A considered approach should start with simple, easily implemented changes, which might include e-reuse and recycling, power management or printing policies. It can move to bigger projects with a broader impact, such as carbon-tracking technologies, as the programme gains support and budget becomes available.

Finally, the strategy must be championed by a senior member of staff. This is a board-level business issue with environmental, HR, financial and ethical elements. Responsibility must reside at the highest level as this sends a clear message that green IT is part of the corporate strategy, and employees must take it seriously.

The best IT policies will go beyond the organisation. They will stimulate employees to demand greater sustainability from suppliers and partners, insisting on longer warranty periods, upgradeable designs, and life cycle-based carbon footprint analysis. This in turn will encourage manufacturers to improve the “greenness” of their products, reducing emissions and expenditure throughout the supply chain.

Green leaders need to think about how to ensure environmental impact remains high on the list of priorities despite pressures to reduce costs. The key is linking environmental strategy to money-saving objectives, and leading the charge at boardroom level. There has never been a more exciting time for green approaches to technology implementation, but it has never been harder to make it happen.

Todd Thibodeaux is chief executive of global IT trade association CompTIA