The whole organization should take greater energy responsibility

In "Time to tackle electricity consumption", CS 3 /11 -09, it is stated that the IT manager should take greater responsibility for energy consumption in the company. This is possible, but the entire organization should take greater responsibility. This is what Ewa Thorslund, business policy expert at IT&Telekomföretagen, writes in a debate article in Computer Sweden

Of course, the IT manager should take responsibility, but so should the environmental manager, the head of administration and, above all, the management. Because the issues are definitely linked. IT consumes electricity. But IT can also significantly reduce overall electricity consumption. For the vast majority of organizations today, travel and external meetings account for a significant part of the environmental impact. We can ask ourselves whether all this travel is really necessary? Certainly, some can be replaced by digital forms of meetings such as Live Messenger or video conferencing.

In one respect in particular, this is an issue for management. It allows its staff to have access to the latest technology, which enables them to work anywhere, anytime. But at the same time, they continue to require employees to come to the office every day. This is not taking full advantage of the new technology - neither from an economic point of view nor from an environmental perspective.

We should also look more closely at our own operations, calculate the load, implement a number of changes in working methods and behaviors, and then measure and follow up. This is not just the responsibility of the IT manager, but of the whole management team. Only then, when the changes become concrete, can we achieve real improvement.

As I said, the private sector still has a lot to learn, as does the public sector. I would like to see, within the framework of environmental requirements in public procurement, the public sector being encouraged to use IT to reduce its environmental impact.

Why not buy the 'communication' service instead of a trip? When ordering, the customer is then informed not only about pure costs, but also about the environmental impact and the alternatives available. Maybe you shouldn't travel from Stockholm to Sundsvall for a two-hour meeting? The same results can be achieved by phone or video. Money and the environment are saved and at the same time you are ready in time to pick up at kindergarten ...

Ewa Thorslund, Business Policy Expert, IT&Telecom Industries