Tony Lock, programme director at analyst Freeform Dynamics, writes a piece for next week's Computing that adds further context to some of the sentiments expressed in yesterday's post - which is short, were:

1. Every IT manager knows green computing is an issue and understands the basics
2. Every IT manager is suffering from green computing overkill - and could probably do with a break
3. Every IT manager needs to know about the business benefits of technologies, not just about cutting carbon emissions in isolation

I think point two is crucial - but to further understand the reasons why green computing overkill is becoming manifest, further context is required.

But clearly I'm now going to write even more about green computing - which seems a bit self-defeating, but I hope it isn't. Because I'm trying to understand wider misunderstandings of environmentalism and the use of technology within a business context.

And unless you've been locked in a datacentre for the last 24 months, you'll be aware that Western business needs to make changes to its operational activities in order to rectify problems created through increasing carbon emissions.

In his piece, Lock says attempts to make best use of existing resources illustrate how energy optimisation and green initiatives are on the radar of many technology managers. However, he says evidence shows many organisations are far more focussed on energy reduction than genuine green projects:

It is probably fair to say that for many managers, both inside IT and in the wider business, energy consumption, optimisation or minimisation is now a synonym for green, which is a misunderstanding of the fact that environmental initiatives should really be looking at wider, impact minimisation projects.

So, while IT managers are probably suffering from green computing overkill, many of the media-attention grabbing protects that business are implementing are focussed on just reducing energy, rather than looking for real, green alternatives.

Further reading

• Green computing hype needs smarter approach
• Green computing is not crucial for CIOs
• The green IT rules from Gartner and Forrester
• JP Rangaswami says green computing drives BT
• SMEs lead the way on green computing
• Green computing is a pipe dream for IT managers

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