Although 98% of IT professionals want their organisation to put
green IT schemes into practice, only a third of them are taking
individual action to drive such technologies in their
workplaces.
An independent survey of 304 IT pros commissioned by IT training
firm Parity found a disparity between IT workers' knowledge about
the
business benefits of green IT, and actions IT departments are
taking to drive environmental strategies.
According to 40% of IT workers, the greatest barrier to the
implementation of such programmes is behavioural and cultural
change.
This was at the top of the list, ahead of value added to the
business, and time or cost implications. Parity believes this
disconnect means more training in delivering green IT initiatives
is required.
The research also revealed misconceptions about the potential
for other elements of IT infrastructure to contribute to green
strategies.
Whilst most IT workers are aware of the importance of power
consumption, hardware and cooling in contributing to reducing
environmental impact, only 7% consider IT business management
processes an area in which significant improvements can be
made.
On the positive side, IT staff recognise the contribution that
changes to service management processes can make to green
strategies. Two thirds of those surveyed thought this was an area
in which a significant difference could be made.
"It is important that people have an accurate picture of how IT
can contribute to their company's environmental strategy, and for
the overall vision to translate into individuals' activities," said
Rick Firth, managing director at Parity Training.
"Implementing ITIL service management standards can make a
massive contribution to a company's green agenda. By retaining only
those processes that are most valuable to end-users, and making
them as efficient as possible, power consumption will be
reduced.
"IT managers must ensure employees are trained properly in what
they can do, and make their teams aware of the benefits seen by the
business as a result," said Firth.