UK Government: World first as Government
computers go green
Jul 17, 2008 -- M2 PRESSWIRE
The British Government today became the first in the world to announce plans
to slash the carbon footprint of its computer systems.
Information and communication technology (ICT) is responsible for up to 20
per cent of carbon emissions generated by Government offices - around
460,000 tonnes a year. Under the plan announced today by Cabinet Office
Minister Tom Watson the Government aims to make energy consumption of ICT
carbon neutral within four years.
Departments will be asked to take 18 key steps. They include:
Automatically switching off desktop computers outside working hours.
Turning off every desktop PC in central Government for the 16 hours that
fall outside the standard working day could save up to 117,500 tonnes of CO2
per year - equivalent to taking 40,000 cars off the road.
Reusing as much computer equipment as possible. Most of the energy used in
the lifetime of a PC is consumed during manufacture. Extending its use or
re-using it elsewhere will save both energy and money.
Auditing our data centres and server use to make sure they are running at
maximum efficiency. A server that is switched on but idle still uses up to
70 per cent of the power it consumers when fully operational.
Cabinet Office Minister Tom Watson said:
"Worldwide, computers are responsible for the same quantity of carbon
emissions as the airline industry. It is a serious problem that requires a
serious solution.
"That's why I'm so proud that we are the first Government anywhere in the
world to formally set out exactly what we're going to do to make our ICT
systems carbon neutral within four years. We won't achieve this just by
offsetting but by making serious changes to the way we do business.
"But it's not just about the Government. I hope that the steps we're
announcing today - including simple ideas such as making sure everything is
turned off when not in use, defaulting to double-sided printing and reusing
old equipment for as long as possible - will also be picked up by private
companies and individuals. Lots of small actions make a big impact. Between
us we can make a real difference in the fight against climate change."
Andrew Lee, Chief Executive of the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC),
said:
"This is a welcome move and a radical target. As the SDC reported earlier
this year, government departments have a long way to go on reducing energy
consumption and carbon emissions, and tackling IT will be crucial to this
effort. We look forward to seeing departments build on these first steps
with sustained and decisive action.
"The Cabinet Office has already demonstrated how simple changes can deliver
huge carbon savings, and we hope this initiative will go much further,
taking a fundamental look at how IT is designed and configured for the
future."
John Higgins, Director General of computer industry trade body Intellect,
said:
"I welcome today's announcement of the Government's green IT guidelines. The
hi-tech sector around the world has demonstrated that it can make its own
products more energy-efficient and use technology to generate wider carbon
savings.
"Intellect's Public Sector Council agreed yesterday to form a dedicated task
group to focus on the issue and help make today's ambitions for greening
government IT a reality."
Notes to editors
1) The target set today applies to Central Government departments and will
see energy consumption of ICT carbon neutral by 2012. Energy consumption
will be reduced as much as possible and what is left will be offset. By 2020
Central Government ICT will be carbon neutral throughout its entire
lifetime, including manufacture and disposal.
2) The guidelines in the strategy will be adopted by the Cabinet Office
immediately; other departments will be asked to base their environmental
action plans around these rules and will be expected to report on their
implementation in their submissions to the Transformational Government
Annual Report.
3) The strategy will be unveiled at the Science of Survival climate change
exhibition at London's Science Museum. Doors open at 8.30am, with the event
starting at 9am. If you want to attend please contact Alex Marklew on 020
7276 0436.
4) Copies of the full strategy and Tom Watson's speech will be available for
download from http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk by midday on Thursday 17 July.
For further details contact: Cabinet Office Press Office 22 Whitehall LONDON
SW1A 2WH
CONTACT: Cabinet Office WWW: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk
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