Corporate Sustainability & Green Practices

Morgan MidgettKishore Jayakumar

Susan HannesDaniel In

Pavan Yalamanchili

IntroductionAs consumers are becoming more

environmentally aware and energy costs are rising, businesses have to adapt environmentally-friendly practices to keep up with the changing times

Many business owners are afraid of the costs of switching to greener practices; however, small investments can reap large gains. Green practices can save money while keeping customers happy and helping the planet

Definition and ExamplesGreen computing is the study and practice of using computing

resources efficiently.According to Wikipedia, there are 4 steps to green computing:Green use — reducing the energy consumption of computers

and other information systems as well as using them in an environmentally sound manner

Green disposal — refurbishing and reusing old computers and properly recycling unwanted computers and other electronic equipment

Green design — designing energy-efficient and environmentally sound components, computers, servers, cooling equipment, and data centers

Green manufacturing — manufacturing electronic components, computers, and other associated subsystems with minimal impact on the environment

Examples Continuedturning off computers when not in use, or at

least putting them in "sleep mode"using energy efficient monitors and cooling

systemsusing firewalls, anti-virus and anti-spyware to

reduce amount of eWasteproperly recycling old computers and

unwanted computer equipment printing on both sides of the paper

Background InformationIn 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

launched Energy Star, a voluntary label awarded to computing products that succeed in minimizing use of energy while maximizing efficiencyResulted in the widespread adoption of sleep mode among

consumer electronicsThe Advanced Configuration and Power Interface

(ACPI) specification is an open standard for unified operating system-centric device configuration and power management. ACPI, first released in December 1996, defines platform-independent interfaces for hardware discovery, configuration, power management and monitoring.Working, Sleep, Stand by, hibernate, shut down

Using Sleep ModeThe EPA has estimated that providing

computers with “sleep mode” reduces their energy use by 60 to 70 percent – and ultimately could save enough electricity each year to power Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, cut electric bills by $2 billion, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by the equivalent of 5 million cars.

Why?Businesses want to save money by conserving

energy and materialsDue growing awareness and concern about

global warming/climate change, there has been a societal shift towards more environmentally-sustainable practices, and in order to keep consumer support, businesses must adapt greener practices

Positive Aspects and BenefitsReduces ecological footprint

Uses less energyReduces carbon emissionsReuses and recycles materials (computer parts,

paper/office supplies)Educates people and raises awareness about eco-

friendly practicesEnergy-efficient building design

Saves businesses moneyUses less energyPurchase less materialsUse less paper

ChallengesSometimes, adapting to green practices may

cost more money in the short-termBut it will save in the long-term

Businesses may be unwilling to change practices out of habit

People’s laziness and forgetfulness (turning off monitors, recycling)

General apathy about environmentLack of awareness about environment

OpinionIt is a corporation’s responsibility to employ green

practices when it comes to computing.Even if there are financial costs in the short-term, the

long-term environmental benefits outweigh themLong-term economic impact

Resources will be gone if there is not enough conservation The tragedy of the commons refers to a dilemma described

in an influential article by that name written by Garrett Hardin and first published in the journal Science in 1968. The article describes a situation in which multiple individuals, acting independently, and solely and rationally consulting their own self-interest, will ultimately deplete a shared limited resource even when it is clear that it is not in anyone's long-term interest for this to happen.