Enterprise tech generates roughly 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, as stated in a McKinsey & Company report from September 2022 titled “The green IT revolution: A blueprint for CIOs to combat climate change. Isn’t that surprising?

This emphasizes the urgent need for IT enterprises to prioritize sustainability. By embracing sustainable practices, IT organizations can reduce their carbon footprint, minimize waste, enhance operational efficiency, and improve brand reputation.

How is Business Tech Harming the Environment? Exploring Facts & Stats.

• Data centers, which support cloud computing and our digital lives, use a lot of energy. The U.S. Department of Energy says they can use 100 to 200 times more electricity than regular office buildings.
• Data centers also use lots of water to stay cool. For instance, a standard Google data center used about 450,000 gallons of water each day, according to numbers from the company in late 2022.
• Enterprise technology releases about 350 to 400 megatons of carbon dioxide-equivalent gases, as per the 2022 McKinsey & Company report mentioned earlier.
• By 2040, software is predicted to make up 14% of the world’s carbon footprint, as stated in the 2018 study “Assessing ICT global emissions footprint: Trends to 2040 & recommendations,” published in the Journal of Cleaner Production.

How Can Enterprises Achieve Sustainable IT? 6 Strategies You Can Implement!

Prioritizing sustainability isn’t just about protecting the environment—it’s also about future-proofing businesses and staying competitive in an increasingly eco-conscious world.

Let’s explore six strategies for organizations to achieve sustainable IT success in 2024.

Responsible Disposal & Recycling of E-Waste:

Electronic waste (e-waste) management presents a pressing environmental challenge. To address this, you can prioritize responsible disposal and recycling practices. The most convenient way to do this is to partner with a certified e-waste recycling company that will ensure that all your IT equipment is properly recycled, minimizing negative environmental impacts. Try implementing circular IT practices and eco-friendly procurement further to reduce e-waste.

Cloud Computing & Virtualization

Cloud computing and virtualization offer a greener IT option. Cloud solutions scale easily, needing less physical hardware and cutting energy use. Virtualization consolidates servers, saving energy, water, and reducing electronic waste.

Energy-Efficient Solutions

As organizations strive to reduce their carbon footprint, embracing energy-efficient hardware and software solutions has become more than important. Invest in Energy-Star-rated devices and optimize software for energy efficiency. This way you will reduce your carbon footprint and cut operational costs.

Encouraging Employee Engagement:

Fostering a culture of sustainability requires active employee engagement. To build a sustainable culture, get your team involved! Teach them about eco-friendly IT and encourage them to practice it. Reward those who contribute, and watch the positive changes happen.

Setting Up Best-Practices Standards & Monitoring:

To ensure the effectiveness of sustainability efforts, you will need to establish some enterprise-wide best-practice standards and regular monitoring mechanisms. Internal policies promoting responsible disposal, along with audits and analysis of energy consumption will help you track progress.

Wrapping Up!

If you are ready to embrace sustainable IT, then you can partner with Brilyant, a global sustainable technology provider. We are connected to multiple vendors that ensure eco-friendly and energy-efficient packaging, e-waste reduction, and IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) services. As part of our CSR efforts, we refurbish old laptops and donate them to school students, ensuring a brighter, greener future for all. As we step into 2024, let us seize the opportunity to integrate sustainability into every aspect of IT operations and lead the way to achieve sustainable IT.