In an increasingly digitized world, Green IT is gaining importance. This term refers to approaches that reduce the environmental impact of information technology—for example, through lower energy consumption, a longer service life, and the resource-efficient use of IT devices.
Energy-efficient servers, laptops, and monitors, among other things, play an important role in this regard. Depending on the device, application, and usage, energy-efficient components can help reduce electricity consumption. Extending the lifespan of IT hardware as much as possible, as well as repairing and reusing it, can also help conserve resources.
In addition to environmental benefits, Green IT measures can also offer economic advantages. Lower energy consumption, for example, can lead to lower operating costs.
In this blog post, you’ll learn exactly what the term “Green IT” means and how you can take advantage of it.
Green IT refers to approaches and measures designed to reduce the environmental impact of information and communication technology. These include, for example, minimizing energy consumption, extending the service life of IT equipment, and using hardware in a resource-efficient manner while ensuring its proper disposal.
Green IT can be viewed from two perspectives:
There is no universally accepted definition or uniform standard for Green IT. Rather, the term serves as an umbrella term for various approaches aimed at taking into account—and, where possible, reducing—the environmental impacts associated with the use of information technology.
What does Green IT look like in practice, and to what extent can you influence its implementation? The answer depends, among other things, on your role within the broader context: Are you an IT hardware manufacturer? Do you develop software for businesses? Or are you setting up an IT infrastructure?
Depending on where you are in the process and what tasks you’re responsible for, there are different ways to take environmental, social, and economic factors into account. Refurbishment can be one way to extend the useful life of IT devices. In this process, used products are inspected, reconditioned, and - where necessary - restored to working order by replacing defective components. You can also find more information in our blog post “Used IT hardware: how useful it is and how you can benefit from it”. You can also find refurbished hardware in our store. Cleaning the devices can also be part of the refurbishment process. As a result, used and refurbished hardware can be kept in the usage cycle longer. You can find more information on IT cleaning in our blog post “IT cleaning - its time requirements and aspects to consider”.
Proper use and maintenance can also help extend the service life of IT equipment. For devices operating under special conditions - such as uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) - it may be important to follow the manufacturer’s specifications regarding ambient temperature and cooling.
Obsolescence is an important factor when it comes to the useful life of IT devices. It describes the process by which products lose functionality, usability, or appeal over time and can therefore be replaced. This also takes into account the entire product life cycle—from manufacturing to disposal.
Obsolescence can be divided into planned and unplanned obsolescence. Unplanned obsolescence can result, for example, from natural wear and tear, technical defects, or technological progress. Planned obsolescence occurs when a product’s useful life is limited by its design or specific product decisions.
From a Green IT perspective, maximizing the service life of IT hardware is important. Measures such as repair, upgrading, and refurbishment can help extend the useful life of devices and avoid premature replacement. During refurbishment, used devices are inspected, cleaned, and, if necessary, repaired or equipped with new components.
When making purchases, companies can also consider criteria such as repairability, energy consumption, availability of replacement parts, and service life. Environmental labels such as ENERGY STAR or the Blue Angel can serve as a guide in this regard.
Data centers require energy to operate their servers and other IT components and can therefore account for a significant portion of energy consumption in the IT sector. Designing data centers efficiently can help reduce energy demand. This includes, for example, efficient cooling, an optimized power supply, and the use of energy-efficient hardware.
Older hardware may consume more energy during operation and generate more waste heat. When modernizing data centers, factors such as energy consumption and the required cooling capacity can therefore be taken into account.
Modern hardware benefits from:
Power supply, particularly UPS systems (uninterruptible power supplies), also plays an important role in the operation of data centers. When selecting a UPS, factors such as energy efficiency, battery technology, maintenance requirements, and expected service life can be taken into account.
Compared to VRLA batteries (valve-regulated lead-acid batteries), lithium-ion batteries can offer advantages in terms of service life, space requirements, and maintenance needs, depending on the application. Which technology is more suitable depends, among other things, on the requirements and operating conditions of the respective system.
In addition to energy consumption, the total cost of ownership (TCO) can also be taken into account when selecting a UPS. TCO encompasses not only the initial purchase cost but also, for example, energy, maintenance, and replacement costs over the system’s service life. A TCO comparison can help evaluate different UPS systems in terms of their total costs.
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) operates around the clock—and in doing so, incurs electrical losses due to the conversion process. In conventional online double-conversion technology, the power is continuously converted from alternating current to direct current and back again. Efficiency typically ranges from about 94 to 97 percent, though it can be lower at low loads (Consulting-Specifying Engineer, 2025).
Modern UPS systems therefore offer ECO or high-efficiency modes that reduce conversion losses during normal operation. According to the manufacturer, the eConversion mode used by APC Schneider Electric achieves an efficiency of up to 99% and reduces power loss compared to traditional double conversion. The actual energy savings achieved depend on the UPS model, load, and operating conditions (Schneider Electric).
Assumptions: UPS supplies an IT load of 10 kW in continuous operation (24/7) → around 87,600 kWh per year.
| Operating mode | Efficiency | Annual energy loss |
|---|---|---|
| Online double-converter | 95 % | ≈ 4.610 kWh |
| ECO/eConversion mode | 99 % | ≈ 885 kWh |
Direct saving: ≈ 3,700 kWh per year.
This results in:
Every kilowatt-hour of energy loss that is avoided is not dissipated as heat within the UPS. This can also reduce the cooling requirements of the server room. However, the actual magnitude of this effect depends on the system and its operating conditions.
Important to note: In simple ECO mode, the load is supplied via the bypass line, which reduces voltage regulation compared to online double conversion. For sensitive environments, variants such as eConversion—which combine high efficiency with continuous voltage regulation—may therefore be of interest. Whether ECO mode or high-efficiency mode is suitable depends on the power quality, the UPS model, and the criticality of the connected loads.
Even working from home on a regular basis can increase a household’s electricity consumption. The amount of the additional costs depends, among other things, on the hardware used, the duration of use, and the price of electricity. In companies, energy consumption doesn’t just add up per workstation, because a professional IT infrastructure involves significantly more hardware and software overall. Reducing electricity consumption is therefore a key focus area for Green IT. At the same time, how the required electricity is generated plays a role, as this can result in varying levels of CO2 emissions.
One factor is the use of electricity from renewable sources. Depending on the power source and the approach taken, this can reduce the CO2 emissions associated with electricity consumption.
Another factor is the use of waste heat. In server rooms and data centers, the operation of IT hardware generates heat. If this heat is technically recovered and used, for example, to heat other areas, the need for additional heating energy can be reduced.
The hardware used is also relevant: computers, servers, and network components contain various metals and other raw materials. Extracting and processing these materials requires energy and resources. A long service life, repair options, and procurement practices that conserve resources as much as possible can therefore also help reduce the environmental impact of IT.
A 2022 Bitkom study shows that servers account for a significant portion of data centers’ energy consumption. This makes them a key area to focus on when examining the energy consumption of IT infrastructures.
Thanks to generative AI, data centers’ electricity demand is currently growing faster than in almost any other energy-consuming sector.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), data centers worldwide consumed approximately 415 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2024—about 1.5% of global electricity consumption. Demand has risen by an average of about 12% per year in recent years, more than four times as fast as overall electricity consumption. The IEA expects consumption to nearly double by 2030 to about 945 TWh—roughly 3% of global electricity demand. This is roughly equivalent to Japan’s total electricity consumption today (IEA, “Energy and AI,” 2025).
The key driver is the increasing use of AI: While electricity consumption by traditional servers is increasing by “only” about 9% per year, the IEA estimates that consumption by AI-specialized servers (so-called accelerators) is growing by around 30% per year. An often-overlooked point: Complex applications such as video generation or “reasoning” models can require many times more energy per request than a simple text query.
The effect is also noticeable in Europe. The IEA expects electricity demand in the EU to rise by an average of about 2.3% per year through 2030—data centers are among the main drivers, alongside electric vehicles and heat pumps (IEA, “Electricity 2026”).
Green IT encompasses measures that reduce or optimize the energy and resource consumption of IT systems. These include, for example, extending the lifespan of devices and reducing power consumption during operation. Green IT is therefore no longer just a “nice-to-have,” but a response to the reality of rising energy costs and increased strain on the grid. Every purchase avoided, every extended device lifespan, and every gain in operational efficiency has a greater impact today than it did just a few years ago—simply because the industry’s electricity consumption has risen so significantly.
When it comes to the carbon footprint of IT devices, most people first think of power consumption during operation. In fact, a large portion of the emissions occurs even before the device is first used—during manufacturing. Experts refer to this as “gray energy” or “embodied carbon,” among other terms. This refers to the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions generated, for example, by raw material extraction, component manufacturing, assembly, and transportation.
A study conducted by the Öko-Institut on behalf of the Federal Environment Agency shows just how significant this share can be: For a laptop with a five-year lifespan, approximately 214 kg of CO2 equivalents are attributable to manufacturing (about 56%) and approximately 138 kg to use (about 36%). Manufacturing thus accounts for a larger share of emissions than use over five years (Öko-Institut / Federal Environment Agency). An analysis of approximately 230 laptop models concludes that 75 to 85% of a laptop’s total carbon footprint can be attributed to manufacturing—including components such as the motherboard, display, and SSD (Circular Computing, 2026).
This leads to a finding that may seem surprising at first but is nonetheless important: Replacing a functioning old device with a new, more energy-efficient model is not automatically environmentally sound. The Federal Environment Agency has calculated the conditions under which purchasing a new device can be environmentally justified due to its lower energy consumption. Key factors include the actual efficiency gain and the service life of the new device (Federal Environment Agency).
This is exactly where refurbished hardware comes in: When you buy a professionally refurbished device, you extend its service life and can thereby reduce the need for new production. The emissions generated during the original manufacturing process have already occurred—by continuing to use the device, these manufacturing emissions can be spread out over a longer service life.
Refurbishment can thus be a way to conserve resources and reduce emissions—especially when functioning devices are used longer and new purchases are avoided. The actual environmental benefit depends on the specific device, its condition, its remaining useful life, and a comparison with a new device.
Baseline figures (Federal Environment Agency, laptop, 5 years’ use):
| New purchases (50 devices) | Refurbished (50 devices) | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing emissions avoided | – | ≈ 214 kg × 50 = approx. 10.7 t CO2e |
Result: Simply by choosing refurbished laptops over new ones, approximately 10.7 metric tons of CO2 can be saved—which is roughly equivalent to the amount emitted by a mid-size car over about 60,000 kilometers. Added to this is the potential avoidance of new production and thus a reduced demand for raw materials such as copper, gold, and rare earth elements, the extraction of which can have environmental impacts.
Note: These figures are conservative estimates and apply to laptops. For larger devices such as desktop PCs with monitors, the Öko-Institut estimates that the manufacturing impact is as high as approximately 435 kg CO2e per device—meaning the potential savings there can be correspondingly greater.
That’s why you’ll find refurbished and fully reconditioned hardware of verified quality in our store—from servers to switches and routers to UPS systems.
IT remarketing and IT refurbishment are ways of extending the useful life of IT hardware and thereby reducing the need for new equipment. The process refers to the resale of used hardware following certified data destruction and subsequent refurbishment. Refurbishment refers to the process of technical reconditioning, in which devices are professionally cleaned, tested and technically overhauled to ensure a defined standard of quality.
These processes can extend the lifespan of used or disused devices and reduce the need for new resources to manufacture additional devices. We offer IT remarketing, whereby used hardware is purchased, refurbished and then resold to give it a second life. Devices that can no longer be used are professionally disposed of or recycled by us. Particularly in the areas of servers, network technology and storage, the continued use of used hardware can be an alternative to purchasing new equipment. The process can offer both environmental and economic benefits.
A choice of different product conditions
We offer three different product conditions:
Awards and eco-labels have been around for some time, including in the IT sector. However, there is no uniform, universally applicable set of rules for Green IT. Guidance is provided, amongst other things, by legal requirements, eco-labels and strategies from the Federal Ministry for the Environment. When purchasing new components, relevant environmental and energy efficiency labels can serve as a guide.
The Blue Angel is an environmental label awarded by the German Federal Government. The bodies involved in awarding the label include the Federal Ministry for the Environment, the Federal Environment Agency, the Environmental Labeling Jury and RAL gGmbH. Data centre operators can be awarded the environmental label if they meet the relevant requirements.
The ENERGY STAR programme was launched in 1992 by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and identifies energy-efficient products. These include, amongst others, computers and servers. The European Union has been participating in the programme since 2002.
The WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) came into force on 13 August 2012. Among other things, it regulates at EU level the take-back, collection and recovery or disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment. The specific obligations for manufacturers and retailers are implemented in the respective national regulations.
In addition, the Ecodesign Directive (2009/125/EC) sets out requirements for the environmentally sound design of certain energy-related products. Requirements relating to energy efficiency and resource consumption, for example, may play a role here.
The RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. These include, for example, lead and certain chromium compounds. The aim is to limit the use of these substances in such products and thereby reduce risks to health and the environment.
In recent years, several binding sets of regulations have come into force that affect companies either directly or indirectly.
The EnEfG (Act on the Improvement of Energy Efficiency in Germany) has been in force since 18 November 2023 and places particular obligations on data centres. For facilities with a non-redundant connected load of 300 kW or more, the following apply, amongst other things (EnEfG, gesetze-im-internet.de; Bitkom guide to the EnEfG):
Current note (as at September 2026): A draft bill has been tabled for the Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG) to further implement the European energy efficiency requirements. As a result, individual requirements may change in future. For specific investment or planning decisions, the applicable legal requirements should therefore be checked (DENEFF, 2026).
Ecodesign Directive (2009/125/EC) referred to earlier in this article has been supplemented by the new EU Regulation 2024/1781 (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, ESPR) and further developed for many product groups. The Regulation has been in force since 18 July 2024 and establishes a framework for environmental design requirements for various physical products – including electronics (Federal Environment Agency, New Ecodesign Regulation).
The objectives of the ESPR include, amongst other things, a longer product lifespan, improved reparability and a stronger circular economy. Circular economy refers to keeping products and materials in the economic cycle for as long as possible, for example through reuse, repair and recycling.
An important component is the Digital Product Passport (DPP). In future, this is intended to make certain information about products available digitally and in a standardised format. Depending on the product group, this may include, for example, details on materials, repair options or recycling. Information on the carbon footprint may also be provided. The specific details required will be determined step by step through product group-specific legislative acts (TÜV SÜD, ESPR).
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) governs corporate sustainability reporting. The scope and deadlines were amended as part of the EU ‘Omnibus I’ package. As a result, many small and medium-sized enterprises are not immediately required to report under the CSRD. The specific requirements depend, amongst other things, on the size of the company and other criteria (CSR in Germany / Omnibus I Directive 2026/470).
However, SMEs are also indirectly affected: those supplying larger, reporting-obligated companies may, for example, be asked for CO2 data and sustainability information along the supply chain. A systematically documented IT strategy and the use of refurbished hardware can provide relevant information for supplier communication – such as the useful life of equipment or documented consumption and emissions.
It is crucial that businesses and individuals learn, through educational initiatives, the importance of using energy and resources responsibly. These initiatives include training programmes, workshops and information campaigns that convey not only technical knowledge about energy- and resource-efficient hardware and software, but also the benefits of responsible IT use.
Smart metering involves the digital recording and monitoring of energy consumption. For example, a smart electricity meter is used to record electricity consumption in detail. The data collected can help to recognise consumption patterns and identify potential savings.
Smart metering can also be integrated with energy efficiency monitoring and automated management systems. This enables companies not only to measure the energy consumption of individual devices, but also to analyse trends, define energy targets and derive optimisation measures. A further advantage lies in the ability to detect unusually high consumption levels at an early stage and investigate them in detail. Particularly in data centres or large IT environments, this can help to optimise the electricity consumption of servers, UPS systems or cooling systems.
Sustainability is of great importance in the IT sector. It is therefore no surprise that appropriate measures are necessary. However, not all companies have yet realised that information technology can also be made more resource- and energy-efficient. Digitalisation opens up new opportunities for a more efficient use of resources and energy.
In addition to the potential benefits – such as in energy and resource efficiency, cost-effectiveness and social aspects – companies can also strengthen their competitiveness by implementing and documenting appropriate measures in a transparent manner.
We, too, work with manufacturers who specialise in energy and resource efficiency, as well as sustainability issues in information technology. These include companies such as Cisco, HPE Aruba and Juniper. In addition, we offer refurbished IT equipment from various brands, including APC and Eaton. On our website, you will find a comprehensive product portfolio from these manufacturers, as well as refurbished IT hardware.
Would you like to find out more about implementing Green IT in your organisation? Contact us for a personalised consultation on energy- and resource-efficient IT and discover which measures are suitable for your IT infrastructure.
PUE stands for “Power Usage Effectiveness” and describes the ratio between a data center’s total energy consumption and the energy consumption of the IT equipment itself. A PUE value of 1.0 would mean that all energy consumption is attributable to the IT equipment and that no additional energy is required for cooling, power supply, or other infrastructure, for example.
In Germany, new data centers are also subject to legal requirements regarding energy efficiency. Starting in July 2026, a maximum PUE value of 1.2 must be adhered to under certain conditions. The specific scope of application and the applicable requirements are set forth in the relevant law.
For IT devices, a significant portion of their environmental impact occurs during manufacturing and distribution. The extent of this impact depends, among other factors, on the type of device, the materials used, and the production methods. Continuing to use hardware that has already been manufactured can reduce the need for new production and extend the device’s useful life.
However, it is not possible to make a blanket statement about whether a refurbished device actually causes less environmental impact than a new, more energy-efficient model. Key factors include the energy consumption of both devices, their remaining useful life, and the effort required for refurbishment and transportation. A comparison should therefore take the entire life cycle into account whenever possible.
The use of artificial intelligence can increase the electricity demand of data centers, particularly due to the growing use of power-intensive AI systems. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global electricity consumption by data centers stood at approximately 415 TWh in 2024 (about 1.5% of global electricity consumption). By 2030, this figure could rise to approximately 945 TWh. AI is a key driver of this growth, though it is not the sole cause of the rising energy demand.
Against this backdrop, measures to increase energy efficiency and improve the utilization of IT systems are gaining importance. Extending the useful life of hardware as much as possible can also contribute to a more conscious use of resources. The specific energy and environmental impacts resulting from this depend on the technology used, its utilization rate, and the energy supply.
The proper return and disposal of IT equipment is an integral part of Green IT. Through reuse and recycling, functional devices can be used for longer, and materials such as copper, gold, or silver can be recovered. Proper disposal also helps ensure that any hazardous substances contained in the equipment are handled appropriately.
Refurbishment can also extend the service life of IT equipment, thereby reducing the need for premature replacement. The actual environmental impacts associated with these practices depend, among other factors, on the condition of the equipment, its subsequent use, and the chosen recovery or recycling method.
Possible approaches include take-back and recycling programs, refurbishment, reuse, upcycling, and the proper recycling of electronic waste.
Green IT can help companies reduce energy and operating costs when IT systems are specifically evaluated based on their actual needs and efficiency. Energy-efficient hardware, an optimized IT infrastructure, and a longer service life for devices can help limit resource consumption and ongoing costs. The actual amount of savings depends on the specific equipment, usage, and measures taken.
Possible approaches include:
Green IT can be incorporated into corporate strategy by considering environmental and economic factors from the very beginning of the planning, procurement, and use of IT systems. Possible measures include:
Green IT can help improve the efficiency of IT infrastructures and operational processes. This includes, for example, lower energy consumption, a longer service life for IT equipment, and the design of hardware and systems tailored to actual needs. If resources are used in a more targeted manner, operating and energy costs can also be reduced under certain conditions.
Furthermore, optimized processes and an efficiently planned IT infrastructure can help make better use of existing resources and limit the need for additional hardware. The specific results achieved depend on the respective systems, conditions of use, and measures implemented.
Green IT can support digital transformation by incorporating energy and resource efficiency into the planning and operation of digital infrastructures from the outset. Measures such as more energy-efficient hardware, demand-based utilization of IT systems, and the use of efficient data center infrastructures can help limit energy consumption and reduce operating costs.
At the same time, sustainability and environmental requirements are becoming increasingly important for companies. Green IT can help ensure that these requirements are incorporated into the planning and further development of digital infrastructure.
Green IT can help reduce the energy and resource consumption of IT systems and thereby minimize the environmental impacts associated with their operation. The actual savings achieved depend on the technologies used, how they are utilized, and the specific energy supply.
Furthermore, resource-efficient IT helps companies comply with legal requirements and relevant environmental and sustainability standards. Thus, in addition to technical and economic considerations, Green IT can also play a role in achieving sustainability goals.
