Policy of green ict

“Going green” seems to be the mantra these days. Across the globe, people are talking about how important it is for the world to become more environment-friendly. The information and communications technology (ICT) industry is no exception.
Players from hardware component manufacturers to large-scale data centre solution providers have since announced plans to introduce green ICT products.

The move is certainly laudable.

With the rising cost of energy, more ICT equipment translates into higher cost of power consumption, which, over the long haul, could have serious implications on the environment.

Also, tech products such as PCs and mobile phones have a short lifecycle and become obsolete fast. So, manufacturers need to make sure that these products do not become a hazard when they have outlived their use.

Apart from the tech players, many governments and industry bodies are taking a proactive stance as far as green ICT is concerned. These include allocating a significant budget and a host of other measures for their green incentives.

The Australian Computer Society (ACS), for example, conducted the nation’s first ICT carbon emissions audit last year. The audit revealed that ICT use by Australian businesses generated 7.94 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2005, which is a close equivalent to the civil aviation and metal production industries.

In response to the audit’s findings, the ACS subsequently launched a policy statement for green ICT, which included suggestions on initiatives that the government, consumers, ICT professionals and ICT manufacturers could take to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions attributable to the use of ICT equipment.

To assist ICT professionals become part of a planned exercise to reduce carbon dioxide emissions associated with ICT use, the ACS has established a Green ICT Special Interest Group for its members and others interested in softening any adverse impact of ICT on climate change.

In Malaysia, I’m not aware of such an initiative. It would certainly be helpful if there was a policy or a set of guidelines in place which corporate entities could adhere to, and later work with ICT solution providers that understand and can help implement smart and environmentally sound ICT practices.

Certainly, consumers will have a lot to gain because they will be able to make a clear and informed decision when buying ICT products.

sources ~ NSTP (Ahmad khusairi,2008)