Hot on the heels of the Stern Review, the Queen's Speech
addressed the threat of climate change. It introduced a statute to
reduce carbon emissions by 60% by 2050, along with interim
targets.
Alongside plans for an independent Carbon Committee, the changes
continue to strengthen the UK's push for changes at home and
liberalisation of the European market.
Positively heralding the need for further accountability and
measurement of energy consumption by UK businesses, these targets
will undoubtedly impact all industries. Hopefully they will ensure
companies will not be given a choice when it comes to complying
with climate change regulations.
What is clear is that these changes represent an opportunity for
the IT industry to step up to the mark and deliver the social and
business change required to protect the environment.
Making a difference
Climate change is one area where IT can really make a
difference. It can drive change by reducing the environmental
footprint and improving the economic stability of UK firms.
IT can offer the diversity and flexibility required to encourage
businesses to better exploit the environmental benefits of remote
working, offering business benefits including increased
productivity, as well as reducing the impact of traffic congestion
and pollution on the environment.
Yet at the same time it poses some of the greatest threats to
the environment, in terms of equipment disposal and energy
consumption. The industry has a duty to recognise these threats and
recognise the need for significant R&D investment in low carbon
technologies and virtual ways of working, while helping its
customers make smarter, more energy conscious decisions.
Conserving energy
UK businesses need to work together to factor energy consumption
into every procurement decision, from the stationery order to a PC
overhaul.
Moving forward on climate change requires businesses and
governments to work together. Climate change is both a threat and
an opportunity for organisations to play an active role in the
environment.
Alongside the targets and measurements imposed by the
government, creative incentives need to be put in place to change
behaviour. We want to work with the government to respond to the
targets set, and look forward to meeting the chancellor to discuss
this later in the year. Policy leadership is not only important for
the economic opportunities it will create, but also for helping to
catalyse international action on climate change.
We have the ability to make a very real difference and have a
duty to future generations to implement simple solutions to
increase energy efficiency and maximise the opportunities presented
by new technology.
It is the responsibility of the IT industry and the wider UK
business community to act now before it is too late.
Richard Barrington is a member of the Corporate Leaders
Group on Climate Change and head of public policy at Sun
Microsystems
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