CHAPTER 1

Green IT Fundamentals
INTRODUCTION:
Green computing (also known as green IT or sustainable IT) is the design, manufacture, use and
disposal of computers, chips, other technology components and peripherals in a way that limits
the harmful impact on the environment, which include reducing carbon emissions and energy
consumption by manufacturers, data centers and end-users. Green computing also encompasses
choosing sustainably sourced raw materials, reducing electronic waste and promoting
sustainability through the use of renewable resources.

The potential for green computing to have a positive impact on the environment is considerable.
The information and communication technology (ICT) sector is responsible for between 1.8%
and 3.9% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, data centers account for 3% of annual
total energy consumption—an increase of 100% in the last decade.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT:

The numerous ways and degrees to which using IT has an impact on the environment.
Production, usage, and disposal of IT gear have an initial level of environmental effect since they
have a direct impact on the environment.

IT and its emissions have a significant impact on a variety of verticals including the banking,
tourism, and healthcare industries. Even though these sectors do not themselves focus on IT, very
few transactions in them can be completed without IT playing a significant role Information and
communications technology is the foundation of many processes, like obtaining an insurance
quote, purchasing an airline ticket, and determining a doctor's availability.

By addressing IT-based emissions in particular, the organization can reduce its overall carbon
footprint. Reduced emissions from IT-related sources, like the data center and end-user monitors,
will immediately and positively affect the organization's overall carbon footprint.
 IT Areas Major Environmental Influence

End-user devices Numerous of these gadgets, along with their quick obsolescence caused
(desktops, laptops, by elements other than their utility. Reduce both the overall
mobiles) number of devices and the emissions produced by each one.

Data center servers Growth of business associated with greater transactions invariably
requires a greater number of servers. Together with their backups,
security, and mirroring requirements, these servers substantially
impact the carbon generation. Techniques of optimization and
Virtualization needs to be incorporated in data server management.

Communications These equipments, usually part of the data centers, increase in

equipment numbers and usage with growth in transactions. New networking
(switches, technologies, self-healing networks, and use of mobile networks
networks) over wired ones can be part of the Green IT strategy here.

Infrastructure Greater the number of servers and office machines, more is the
(buildings, towers) office space required. This increase in physical facilities and
infrastructures have their own carbon impact that contributes to
the carbon footprint. Building architecture and design, policies and
practices for its operation, and maximum use of space as well as
location is of importance here.

Includes risks associated with not controlling emissions. Also

Risk management includes the risks that may come due to green enterprise

Green Enterprise Characteristics:

Green entrepreneurship is an emerging field that integrates environmental sustainability into

business practices

four encompassing layers of a comprehensive Green IT vision of an enter-prise, as follows:

◾ IT as a Producer: is very first attempt by an organization at Green IT is to handle

the emissions produced by the IT gadgets themselves. Ā is, as shown in Figure 1.3, aims
to reduce IT’s own emissions that is based on the end-user computer emissions as well as
those from the data centers housing the servers and communications equipment.
 ◾ IT as an Enabler: is area of IT includes its use to enable reduction of emissions
across all areas of an enterprise.. IT governance also plays a role

◾
in controlling the procurement and the disposal of IT equipment.
Green Enterprise: is is the level of an organization that is holistically applying
environ- mental strategies to all aspects of its business—irrespective of IT. While IT
remains a vital part of this initiative, a green enterprise also deals with infrastructure and
buildings, people and attitude, legal and standards, and marketing and sales—areas that

◾
may not be directly IT but are supported by IT.
Green Collaboration: Going beyond a single enterprise, this is collaboration of
green enterprises that may come together due to their belonging to a common vertical
market,

Green Vision :

The creation of an appropriate global strategic vision for an organization is

known as green vision.
Green vision can encompass the future of the organization in the carbon
economy. therefore, this vision can include not only what a carbon-
efficient organization will be, but also new approaches or methods of business in
the new green markets. a green strategic vision will need acceptance and
support across the organization.

Some key characteristics of Green Vision include:

● Environmental consciousness: Prioritizing environmental protection and
sustainability in their business model
● Innovative thinking: Developing new technologies and methods to enhance
resource efficiency and reduce environmental harm
● Commitment to social causes: Ensuring their business practices support broader
societal goals like creating sustainable job opportunities
● Long-term vision: Focusing on sustainable growth rather than short-term profits
to create lasting positive impacts

Green it opportunity:

Green IT presents significant opportunities for organizations to reduce their

environmental impact while also realizing business benefits. Here are some key
opportunities of embracing green IT:
Cost Savings
● Implementing energy-efficient IT systems and practices can lead to substantial reductions
in energy consumption and costs.
● Extending maintenance periods and reusing equipment is more cost-effective than
frequent device replacement.

Improved Sustainability
● Green IT enables organizations to minimize their carbon footprint and greenhouse gas
emissions, helping to mitigate climate change.
● Adopting circular economy models that eliminate waste and improve supply chain
resilience is a key opportunity.

Competitive Advantage
● Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability through green IT can enhance a company's
brand reputation and public image.
● Positive environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance driven by green IT is
attractive to customers, employees and investors.

Employee Engagement
● Green IT initiatives can improve employee morale and retention by showing that the
organization prioritizes sustainability and ethical practices.
● Opportunities emerge for more efficient and innovative ways of working by increasing
sustainability through green technology.

Product Design Improvements

● Setting green IT goals encourages technology vendors to develop more environmentally
friendly products and approaches.

Compliance and Regulations

● Adopting green IT helps organizations comply with increasingly stringent government
regulations aimed at reducing environmental impact.

Carbon Economy:

The goal of a carbon economy is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide,
and achieve carbon neutrality .
The concept of a carbon economy revolves around reducing greenhouse gas emissions
while maintaining economic growth. Transitioning to a low-carbon economy involves
various challenges and opportunities

Key Challenges of the Carbon Economy

1. Balancing Economic Growth and Emission Reductions: Policymakers struggle to
find a balance between fostering economic growth and reducing pollution.
2. High Costs and Investment Needs: Transitioning to low-carbon technologies
demands significant investments,
3. Job Displacement in Carbon-Intensive Industries: The shift to a low-carbon
economy may result in job losses in sectors heavily reliant on fossil fuels.
Workers in these industries face risks of unemployment, while new jobs created
in renewable energy and green technologies
4. Technological Barriers: Many low-carbon technologies are still in developmental
stages, with technical challenges hindering their commercialization.
5. Equity and Burden-Sharing Issues: Developing countries often feel pressured to
take on more responsibilities for emission reductions without adequate support
from wealthier nations.
6. Regulatory and Policy Frameworks: Effective policies are crucial for guiding the
transition, but inconsistent regulations and a lack of political will can create
uncertainty for businesses and investors, hampering progress toward a
low-carbon economy.
 CHAPTER II
GREEN IT STRATEGIES

INTRODUCTION:

Green strategies outline a long-term and unified approach of an organization toward

environmen-tal responsibility.

Key Green Strategies:

1. Green Cloud Computing: This involves utilizing energy-efficient cloud services that
minimize carbon footprints. Organizations can adopt environmentally friendly
information and communications technology, which helps reduce energy consumption
while maintaining operational efficiency.
2. Customer Awareness: Increasing awareness among customers about sustainability is
crucial. Organizations that promote their eco-friendly products and practices can build
customer loyalty and gain a competitive edge, as consumers increasingly demand
sustainable options.
3. Switching to Green Data Centers: Transitioning to data centers that use renewable
energy and efficient cooling systems is a significant step. Green data centers reduce
energy consumption and emissions associated with traditional data storage and
processing.
4. Sustainable Supply Chain Management: Developing a sustainable supply chain is
critical for reducing overall environmental impact. This includes optimizing logistics,
sourcing eco-friendly materials, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations

GREEN IT DRIVERS

Drivers are the motivating factors for an organization to develop a green IT strategy and go
through the transmission process.

Cost Savings
● Improving energy efficiency and utilizing green computing practices can lead to
significant cost savings on energy bills for data centers and other IT operations
● Pressure from rising energy prices in recent years has driven more sustainable
procurement practices
New Market Opportunities
● Adopting green IT practices can open up new market opportunities for organizations by
aligning with growing consumer demand for sustainable products and services.
● Promoting sustainability and eco-friendly practices can help build customer loyalty and
create a competitive advantage in the marketplace
Social and political pressures:
social and political pressures significantly influence organizations to adopt Green IT practices.
By responding to consumer expectations, peer influence, regulatory requirements, and
government incentives, companies can enhance their sustainability efforts and improve their
overall business outcomes.
Government legislation
Government legislation is a significant driver of Green IT adoption, influencing organizations to
implement sustainable practices in their IT operations
Enlightened self-interest
Enlightened self-interest refers to the idea that by pursuing actions that benefit society and the
environment, organizations can also gain long-term advantages for themselves
GREEN IT BUSINESS DIMENSIONS:

The business dimensions of Green IT encompass various aspects that organizations

must consider when implementing sustainable IT practices. According to the search
results, the four primary dimensions are:
1. Economy: This dimension focuses on the economic considerations associated
with implementing green IT initiatives. It includes cost-benefit analyses, financial
returns on investment, and the overall economic impact of adopting sustainable
practices. Organizations must evaluate the costs related to green technologies
and the potential savings from energy efficiency and reduced waste.
2. Technology: The technology dimension involves the hardware, software, and
network infrastructure used in an organization. It emphasizes the adoption of
energy-efficient technologies, such as virtualization, cloud computing, and
energy-saving devices. This dimension is crucial for reducing the carbon footprint
of IT operations and improving overall efficiency.
3. People: This dimension addresses the human aspect of Green IT transformation.
It focuses on organizational behavior, employee engagement, and the cultural
shifts needed to support sustainability initiatives. Leadership commitment and
involvement from all levels of the organization are vital for fostering a culture that
prioritizes environmental responsibility and encourages participation in green
initiatives.
4. Process: The process dimension pertains to how business operations are
conducted within the organization. It involves re-engineering business processes
to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact. This may include
streamlining operations, improving resource management, and implementing
practices that minimize waste and energy consumption.
These four dimensions—economy, technology, people, and process—are essential for
organizations seeking to successfully implement Green IT strategies and achieve their
sustainability goals. By addressing each dimension, businesses can create a
comprehensive approach to reducing their environmental impact while also realizing
economic benefits.
KPI IN GREEN STRATEGIES:

Key performance indicator ( KPI) provides information on an organization’s performance against defined
and measurable criteria. KPIs can provide help in measuring the progress of organization in the area o f
environmental sustainability and Green IT. Since the progress of a green initiative must be mea-sured
against the stated goals, the KPIs provide an opportunity to ascertain whether the strategic goals have been
achieved or not. KPIs not only measure the progress but also provide indication of what needs to change
during the course.

EXAMPLES OF GREEN KPIS

Example KPI-1: My organization will reduce 10% over its last year’s energy bill. This
reduction
is aimed over next 3 years, at the end of which, we will review all factors associated with this
reduction.
Caveat(Warning): Without reducing business activities.

Explanation: Enhancement in business sustainability through not only reduction in energy con-
sumption but also through effi ciency in overall business processes. ERBS provides
organizations with a mechanism to consider energy-effi cient measures, monitor,
assess, and manage their carbon emissions.
Example KPI-2: My organization will eliminate the use of paper in all communications in the
next
3 years.
Caveat: Except where it is legally binding to produce paper-based documentation.
Explanation: Elimination of paper, especially in banks, insurance, and legal fi rms, is not going
to happen immediately. Due consideration to the legal requirements of paper-based
documentation is required.

CHAPTER 3
Environmentally Responsible Business
INTRODUCTION:

Becoming an environmentally responsible business involves adopting practices that

minimize harm to the environment while also promoting sustainability. This approach
not only benefits the planet but can also enhance a company's reputation, attract
customers, and reduce operational costs.

DEVELOPING AN ERBS:

Developing an Environmentally Responsible Business Strategy (ERBS) involves integrating

environmental considerations into all aspects of business operations. Here are the key
components and steps to create an effective ERBS:

Key Elements of ERBS

1. Business Architecture: Establish a framework that supports environmental sustainability,
incorporating green policies into the core business model.
2. Green Policies: Formulate policies that promote the efficient use of resources, waste
reduction, and the minimization of emissions. These policies should guide operational
practices across the organization.
 3. Waste and Emissions Management: Identify processes that generate waste and emissions,
and implement strategies to reduce them. This includes adopting cleaner technologies and
practices.
4. Resource Efficiency: Enable the efficient use of resources through practices such as
energy conservation, water management, and sustainable sourcing of materials.
5. Monitoring Metrics: Develop metrics to assess and monitor the environmental impact of
business operations. This includes tracking carbon footprints and resource consumption.
6. Stakeholder Engagement: Involve various stakeholders, including management,
employees, suppliers, and customers, in the development and implementation of ERBS.
Their input can help shape effective strategies.

Steps to Develop ERBS:

1. Assessment of Current Practices: Conduct an audit of existing operations to identify
areas where environmental improvements can be made.
2. Formulation of Strategies: Based on the assessment, create specific strategies that
address identified weaknesses. This may include transitioning to renewable energy
sources or enhancing waste management practices.
3. Training and Awareness: Educate employees about the importance of sustainability and
how they can contribute to achieving the organization's environmental goals.
4. Implementation of Green Technologies: Invest in technologies that reduce energy
consumption and emissions, such as energy-efficient equipment and renewable energy
systems.
5. Continuous Improvement: Establish a process for regularly reviewing and updating the
ERBS to adapt to new environmental challenges and opportunities.
6. Reporting and Accountability: Develop a framework for reporting progress on
environmental goals to stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability.

GREEN IT METRICS AND MEASUREMENTS

Green IT metrics and measurements are numerical values assigned to assess the environmental
impact and sustainability of information and communication technologies (ICT). These metrics
help organizations track and improve their green computing practices. Here are some key green
IT metrics and measurement approaches:
Software Carbon Intensity (SCI)
The SCI metric measures the carbon emissions associated with running a software application. It
considers factors such as machine energy, CPU energy, and network traffic.
Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE)
PUE is a metric used to measure the energy efficiency of data centers. It is calculated as the ratio
of total facility power to IT equipment power.
Carbon Usage Effectiveness (CUE)
CUE measures the carbon dioxide emissions generated by a data center.
Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE)
WUE measures the water usage efficiency of data centers. It is calculated as the ratio of annual
water usage to the total IT equipment energy.
Energy Reuse Effectiveness (ERE)
ERE measures the amount of energy reused outside the data center.

GREEN IT READINESS AND CMM:

Green IT readiness (G-Readiness) refers to how prepared an organization is to adopt
environmentally friendly IT practices. It focuses on three main areas:

1. Input Capabilities: This includes the resources, policies, and strategies that support Green
IT initiatives.
2. Transformational Capabilities: This involves the processes that enable the organization to
implement Green IT effectively, such as training and integrating sustainability into IT
operations.
3. Output Capabilities: These are the measurable results of Green IT efforts, like reduced
energy use and lower carbon emissions.
The Capability Maturity Model (CMM) can be applied to G-Readiness to evaluate how mature
an organization's Green IT practices are. The CMM framework has five levels:

1. Initial: Minimal awareness of Green IT.

2. Managed: Basic Green IT practices are in place.
3. Defined: Formal processes for Green IT are established.
4. Quantitatively Managed: Organizations actively measure and manage their Green IT
initiatives.
5. Optimizing: Continuous improvement and innovation in Green IT practices.
By using G-Readiness and CMM together, organizations can systematically assess and enhance
their sustainability efforts in IT.
 CHAPTER 4
GREEN ASSETS

Green assets refer to the various components and infrastructure that contribute to the
sustainability and environmental friendliness of information technology systems. Some key
green assets in green computing include:

Hardware Assets
● Energy-efficient CPUs, servers, and peripherals that consume less power and generate
less heat
● Virtualized servers that consolidate workloads and reduce the number of physical
machines needed
● Efficient cooling systems for data centers, such as liquid cooling or free cooling using
outside air

Software Assets
● Power management software that automatically puts systems into low-power states when
idle
● Virtualization software that enables server consolidation and efficient use of hardware
resources
● Cloud computing platforms that provide on-demand access to shared computing
resources
Green IT Hardware
Data servers—deals with the physical machines and the specific buildings in which they
are housed.THESE servers also have both wired and wireless networks andcorresponding
communications equipment associated with them that are directly emitting carbon

End-user computers—laptops, desktops, their capacities, operational efficiencies, and

their disposal (especially as the lifecycle of a computer is getting shorter by the day)
need to be discussed.. While the efficient design and manufacturing of these end-user
devices remains the perceiver of the hardware manufacturers, the efficient

◾
operation and disposal is with the user organization.
Mobile devices—the mobile devices and associated hardware (e.g., extension leads),
their batteries including the recharging mechanism and disposal of the batteries and the
poli-cies and actions when the devices become outdated (quickly).

Peripherals—printers, photocopiers, these electronic gadgets are of immense interest i n

Green I T due to their large numbers, their potentially unnecessary overuse, the
operational waste that is generated as a result (such as paper, ribbons, and ink),
and the carbon associated with the eventual disposal of these “fast moving” items.

GREEN DATA CENTER AND ICT EQUIPMENT:

A green data center is an environmentally friendly facility that houses information and
communication technology (ICT) equipment like servers, storage, and networking devices.
These data centers use energy-efficient technologies and sustainable practices to minimize their
environmental impact.
Some key characteristics of green data centers include:
● Using energy-efficient hardware: Servers, storage, and network devices designed to
consume less power while delivering optimal performance.
● Implementing advanced cooling systems: Techniques like free cooling using outside air,
liquid cooling, and evaporative cooling to reduce energy needed for cooling.
● Utilizing renewable energy sources: Integrating solar, wind, or other renewable energy to
power the data center and reduce reliance on non-renewable sources.
● Optimizing airflow: Employing hot/cold aisle containment and minimizing bypass
airflow to improve cooling efficiency.
● Monitoring and managing energy usage: Using instrumentation, sensors, and data center
infrastructure management (DCIM) software to track and optimize energy consumption.
By adopting these green practices, data centers can significantly reduce their energy usage,
carbon emissions, and environmental footprint while also lowering operational costs. This makes
them an important part of building a more sustainable ICT infrastructure.