Beyond Green IT: Network Provider Impact on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Best ICT Practices to Enable Carbon Footprint Reduction

Abstract

This IDC study examines the problem of climate change and global warming from an ICT perspective with a focus on telecom service providers.

Global warming has emerged as the greatest issue facing humankind. "Green is not only good for the environment and business, but is emerging as a major force for competitive advantage in the telecom sector as in other economic sectors," states Lawrence Surtees, vice president of Communications Research and principal analyst at IDC Canada Ltd. of Toronto.

The findings from IDC' s analysis underscore the major role that telecom service providers can play in mitigating environmental degradation. Telecommunication service providers have a major role to play in the greening of ICT by both reducing their own greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging the use of services that enable businesses and consumers to reduce their own carbon footprints.