Green IT: sustainable information technology and its importance

Written by: 
Linda Fritzler
Last updated on: 
14. June 2024

As in every area of life and every industry, sustainability is also playing an increasingly important role in information technology. To ensure that IT does not become another climate threat and contributes to climate protection, the concept of Green IT is being promoted.

By using green IT, which is more sustainable and environmentally friendly, you also benefit from significant cost savings.

In this blog post, you can find out exactly what you can expect from the term Green IT and how you can make use of it.

Table of contents

Green IT (also known as sustainable IT or green computing) encompasses various approaches with the aim of using information technology as sustainably as possible.

This involves acting from two different perspectives:

  1. The entire life cycle of all components of IT systems, such as hardware and software, is adapted - from production to disposal.
  2. Green IT is also the conscious use of IT to minimize environmental impact. This could be, for example, the use of video chats to avoid unnecessary travel.

There is no universally valid definition or fixed rules for green IT; rather, it is a collective term. However, the meaning and associated implementation can be derived from the general definition of sustainability.

The three pillars of Green IT:

  1. Ecological factors, such as environmental protection and careful use of natural resources
  2. Social factors, such as appropriate working conditions, fair wages and the renunciation of child labor
  3. Economic factors, such as profitable profitability (cost-benefit) and long-term strategies

Integrate a holistic and IT sustainability strategy into your company and benefit from ecological, social and economic advantages.

Measures and implementation options for more sustainable IT

So what does Green IT look like in practice and to what extent can you influence its implementation? The answer depends on your role in the overall context: Are you a manufacturer of IT hardware? Do you program software for companies? Are you in the process of setting up an IT infrastructure?

Depending on where you are and what tasks you take on, you have different options for exerting influence. Refurbishment is a central point when it comes to sustainability. It describes the process of restoring products to full working order. You can also find refurbished hardware in our store. You can also find more information in our blog post “Used IT hardware: how useful it is and how you can benefit from it”. Defective parts are also replaced and the product is cleaned to make it saleable again. You can find more information on IT cleaning in our blog post “IT cleaning - its time requirements and aspects to consider”.

You can also positively influence the service life of devices by using them under optimum conditions, including, for example, devices with cooling requirements such as uninterruptible power supplies, which need to be cooled accordingly.

Production of hardware and software

  • Energy-, material-, and resource-efficient production
  • Avoidance of pollutants and greenhouse gases
  • Use of recycled or recyclable materials
  • Green Software Engineering (sustainable programming)

Green IT in the procurement and use of IT systems

  • Choose hardware with the lowest possible energy consumption, such as thin clients
  • Avoid unnecessary purchases
  • Choose cloud computing/virtualization or a hybrid form (reduction of network servers and corresponding energy + hardware)
  • Buy used and refurbished hardware that is reintroduced to the market through IT remarketing
  • Look for the Blue Angel eco-label or others when purchasing
  • Weigh up CO2-friendly online work vs. frequent travel

Disposal

  • Do not throw away hardware lightly
  • Consider the possibility of remanufacturing (refurbished hardware)
  • Use parts that still work elsewhere
  • Dispose of them conscientiously at designated locations (e.g. recycling center)
  • Possibility to sell used hardware - click here for our purchase form

Obsolescene and Green IT for sustainable electronics

Obsolescence is an important factor when it comes to the sustainability of IT devices. This aspect primarily covers the product life cycle, including the manufacture and disposal of products. Obsolescence is therefore the process by which products age and therefore lose value. Obsolescence can be divided into planned and unplanned obsolescence. The latter can be caused by natural wear and tear or influenced by technological progress or fashion.

In the case of planned obsolescence, products have a deliberately limited lifespan. This means that consumers are constantly forced to buy new products. Planned obsolescence is therefore a negative influence in the area of green IT, as it increases the amount of electronic waste. Products are therefore replaced instead of repaired. Reducing planned obsolescence can lead to a longer product lifespan, resource savings and a reduction in the CO2 footprint.

The necessity of Green IT using the example of energy consumption of network servers

Even working from home on a regular basis has a noticeable effect on your electricity bill. You can expect to pay just under 90-120 euros more per year. In companies, these costs not only add up per employee, as a professional IT infrastructure comprises far more hardware and software than a home office. Saving electricity costs is often the decisive factor in implementing green IT, but in terms of sustainability, other factors are also important. After all, these costs are caused by a correspondingly high energy requirement (not always from renewable sources). This is accompanied by CO2 emissions.

One factor is the use of green electricity, as this can greatly reduce the CO2 footprint.

Another factor is the use of waste heat, as a lot of heat is generated in server rooms or data centers. If this heat is recovered, energy consumption can be reduced.

If you have ever entered a server room or even just unscrewed a computer, you will also come across a lot of metal - and therefore non-renewable raw materials. The extraction and processing of these raw materials has a major impact on climate protection.

Computing servers as an example of why Green IT is necessare

A Bitkom study from 2022 reveals: servers represent the pinnacle of energy consumption in IT.

Thanks to the large share of renewable energy, the resulting greenhouse gas emissions showed a decline from 2018-2020. However, CO2 emissions rose again in 2021 and 2022 due to the higher proportion of coal in the German energy mix. (see German data centers continue to grow and become more efficient, as at 28.08.2023; only in german).

In a survey conducted as part of the above-mentioned study, the majority of operators of large data centers also stated that they expect them to grow. IT space, the number of servers and the associated electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions are therefore expected to continue to rise.

Other IT devices also consume a lot of electricity. Another example is network switches, which have to run continuously for a network to function. You can find out how you can save electricity and reduce costs here in our blog post “Network switch: reduce power consumption and save costs”. We offer a wide range of refurbished IT devices, including switches, servers, routers and firewalls.

Green IT certifications and awards

There have been awards for environmental protection for some time now. Some of these also apply to IT. So far, however, there is no official regulation that firmly defines Green IT. However, you can use the strategy of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection as a guide. This offers you a recommendation for action to implement the Green IT Initiative. You can also look out for the relevant seals when purchasing new components.

The Blue Angel (Blauer Engel, as of 04.09.23), for example, is an environmental label of the Federal Government and part of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), the Environmental Label Jury and RAL gGmbH. Data center operators can receive this label if they implement appropriate measures.

The Energy Star label was created in 1992 by the US Environmental Protection Agency and certifies energy-efficient IT devices worldwide, including servers, UPS systems and computers. The European Community has been involved since 2002.

The WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU (Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment) came into force on August 14, 2012. This directive is known as WEEE2 and aims to ensure the distribution and proper take-back and disposal of waste electronic equipment in the EU. All electrical appliances sold must be registered according to WEEE2 in the EU.

In addition, the Ecodesign Directive (officially 2009/125/EC) defines the requirements for the environmentally friendly design of “energy-related products” under European law. This also includes systems and devices used in the IT sector.

The RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU aims to limit substances such as lead or chromium to maximum concentration values. This restricts hazardous substances in IT equipment for all EU member states. This promotes the recycling of old electrical appliances and minimizes their impact on the environment.

Benefits and Challenges of Green IT

Benefits of Green IT

  • Cost savings through cloud computing and virtualization
  • Environmental and climate protection (reduction of CO2 emissions and energy consumption, recycling…)
  • Gain recognition through sustainable IT practices → Competitive advantage
  • Compliance and risk minimization through adherence to legal requirements and environmental standards
  • Promotion of innovations

Challenges of Green IT

  • High initial investment
  • Technological complexity, therefore requires specialized knowledge
  • Possible organizational resistance and continuous adaptation of the company

Awareness building and smart metering

It is crucial that companies and individuals learn about the importance of sustainability through educational measures. These measures include training programs, workshops or information campaigns that not only impart technical knowledge about environmentally friendly hardware and software, but also the benefits of sustainable IT use.

Smart metering covers the use of resources such as water, gas and electricity. An intelligent electricity meter is used to precisely monitor energy consumption. The data is recorded very precisely and can therefore be improved. Smart metering therefore promotes a sustainable energy supply.

Green IT: Promoting the Environment and Providing a Competitive Edge

Sustainability is widely discussed in public. It is therefore not news that appropriate measures are necessary. However, not all companies have yet discovered that information technology can also be green. Digitalization helps to open up new opportunities for better resource efficiency and environmentally friendly work.

In addition to the obvious benefits - environmental protection, economic efficiency, social components - you also benefit because you are one step ahead of your competitors.

We also work with manufacturers who are committed to green IT and place great value on sustainability. These include companies such as Cisco, HPE | Aruba and Juniper. In addition, we offer refurbished IT equipment from various brands, including APC, Eaton and Fortinet, which place particular emphasis on sustainability.

On our website you will find a comprehensive and sustainable product portfolio from these manufacturers.

With Green IT, you can give your image a new direction, save money and make a valuable contribution to the common good. That's worth considering, don't you think?

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Frequently asked questions

Green IT can be strategically integrated into company processes by:

  • The IT infrastructure is reviewed to identify inefficient systems.
  • Selecting energy-saving hardware and software.
  • Virtualization and cloud computing are used to optimize resources.
  • Train employees to raise awareness of environmentally friendly IT.
  • Environmentally friendly policies are implemented in all areas of the company.
  • IT performance is continuously monitored and optimized.

Green IT improves the productivity and efficiency of companies by reducing energy consumption, extending the service life of IT equipment, optimizing processes and reducing the need for physical hardware.

Green IT promotes the digital transformation of companies by increasing efficiency, reducing costs, establishing sustainability as a competitive advantage and supporting compliance with regulatory requirements.

Green IT helps to reduce CO2 emissions and energy consumption, resulting in a lower environmental impact. It also helps companies to comply with legal requirements and environmental standards, which reduces the risk of penalties and legal consequences.

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Linda Fritzler
Hi, I'm Linda Fritzler. I've been working at IT-Planet since 2023 as a content creator for IT topics, graphics and web design and dive deep into the world of IT by dealing intensively with various topics on our blog. With my growing expertise, I share valuable insights into information technology here. As an author, I present my knowledge in informative articles and practical tips, which I regularly publish on our blog. My aim is to explain complex concepts in an understandable way and help you to expand your technical skills. I am particularly interested in the latest developments in the field of artificial intelligence and sustainable IT technologies.

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