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HP Eco Solutions Programme: Low Carbon IT Solutions
Contributing to the first billion tonnes of global CO2 reduction with smart IT
solutions
This white paper outlines existing HP innovations and solutions that can contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in different parts of the economy. The selection of HP solutions reported on within the paper correspond to the solution areas identified in the report titled “The potential global CO2 reductions from ICT use: Identifying and assessing the opportunities to replace the first billion tonnes of CO2“, developed by Dennis Pamlin, Global Policy Advisor, WWF-Sweden. The report identifies and assesses the opportunities to reduce the first billion tonnes of CO2.
Quantifying the CO2 reduction potential for IT solutions is a new science, and this paper does not aim to present specific quantified savings. It does however show the potential for currently available IT solutions to contribute to climate change mitigation.
More information about HP’s joint initiative with WWF to combat climate change can be found at www.hp.eu/wwf
Background
Recently, the role of IT in combating climate change has received significant attention. The “first billion tonnes” report examines some of the academic literature on the topic. The American Electronics Association and EICTA (The European ICT Industry Association) have both published reports in the last year that examine the potential for IT solutions to help reduce climate change.
In April 2007, Gartner estimated that the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector was responsible for around two percent of global CO2 emissions, approximately the same as fuel consumption from the airline industry. Many also recognise that IT has a significant opportunity to enable CO2 reductions across other sectors. In fact, according to WWF’s Dennis Pamlin, there may be no other industry sector where the opportunities hold such a reduction potential for the rest of the economy:
“Realizing this potential is not simple, what is needed is a long-term, strategic approach where we re-define not only business and the way business is made, but the societies businesses exist in – today and in the future – and how they help shape it. A fundamental part of this equation will be IT, not only as a sector with the potential to become one of the winners in a low carbon economy, but also through the deployment of IT services which could fundamentally impact the way we view buildings, motion, light, heat, food and other services.”
HP is committed to reducing our contribution to climate change and we have developed a comprehensive climate strategy to enable this. Our climate strategy framework includes developing products and services to enable a transformation towards a low-carbon economy.
