1. European Union’s Green Deal
A crucial element of the EU’s climate strategy, the Green Deal mandates that businesses reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency. IT operations, especially data centres, are heavily scrutinized under this regulation. Organizations must comply with stringent energy use and e-waste management rules to meet these environmental goals.
2. Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP)
This initiative emphasizes minimizing waste while promoting the reuse and recycling of IT products. It encourages the design of IT systems for durability, reparability, and recyclability, aiming to reduce the volume of discarded electronics and promote a circular approach to IT assets.
3. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol
The GHG Protocol offers a comprehensive framework for organizations to measure their carbon footprint, particularly regarding emissions from IT operations. It classifies emissions into:
- Scope 1: Direct emissions.
- Scope 2: Indirect emissions from purchased electricity.
- Scope 3: Other indirect emissions, including those from the supply chain.
The protocol provides guidance for organizations to account for and reduce their carbon footprint comprehensively.
Industry Standards for Sustainable IT
1. Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE)
This metric assesses the energy efficiency of data centres by dividing the total energy consumption by the energy consumed solely by IT equipment. A lower PUE signifies higher efficiency, making it a valuable benchmark for sustainable IT operations.
2. Energy Star Certification
Energy Star is a voluntary certification that highlights energy-efficient products, including IT hardware like servers and data storage devices. Using Energy Star-rated equipment can significantly reduce overall energy consumption, contributing to an organization’s sustainability goals.
3. EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool)
EPEAT is a global registry that enables organizations to procure environmentally preferable IT products. This tool evaluates various criteria, such as energy efficiency, toxicity reduction, and recyclability, making it easier for organizations to choose sustainable IT products.
4. ISO 14001
An international standard, ISO 14001 outlines the requirements for an environmental management system (EMS). It assists organizations in improving environmental performance, reducing waste, and minimizing energy consumption. Adhering to ISO 14001 provides a structured approach to achieving environmental goals.
5. BREEAM for Data Centres
The Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) assesses the sustainability of buildings, including data centres. A high BREEAM rating indicates that a data centre operates with reduced energy consumption and lower environmental impact, aligning with the principles of sustainable IT.
Sustainability Reporting and Accountability
- 1. Global Reporting Initiative (GRI): GRI offers guidelines for sustainability reporting, focusing on areas like energy use, emissions, and IT-related resource consumption. This framework enables organizations to present their environmental performance transparently and comparably.
- 2. Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB): SASB sets industry-specific standards for sustainability reporting, helping companies disclose IT-related energy use, emissions, and e-waste management efforts. By adhering to SASB standards, companies can report their sustainability efforts in a standardized format that is understandable for investors and stakeholders.
- 3. Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP): CDP collects and reports environmental data from companies, including emissions from IT operations. Organizations that participate in CDP demonstrate transparency and accountability in their sustainability efforts, providing stakeholders with a clear view of their environmental impact.
