JISC

How green is IT?  A new tool from JISC is helping universities and colleges calculate just how eco-friendly they are, by estimating the carbon footprint left by their computers.

Institutions can work out their carbon emissions by inputting information about the numbers of computing devices into the SUSTE-IT footprinting tool.

The tool then estimates the overall amount of electricity used, and the related carbon emissions, to help the institutions target areas for energy saving. Carbon footprint tool

Computers, servers, monitors, routers, faxes and even OHP’s are all examined as part of the process.

But there’s no need for time-consuming audits.  Where records are limited, users are encouraged to ‘guesstimate’ where necessary or use Sheffield University figures as a rough rule of thumb.

Rob Bristow, JISC’s Green ICT programme manager, said: “I am very pleased to see this tool made available to enable universities and colleges to start understanding the carbon footprint of their ICT related activities.

"The sector must make significant reductions in ICT-related energy consumption to meet the overall carbon reduction targets that are being mooted. The tool will not only enable universities and colleges to assess their carbon footprint, but will also identify many improvement opportunities that will avoid both emissions and financial cost."

The tool is based on a beta version developed by Lisa Hopkinson and Peter James of the University of Bradford, and a consultant, Chris Cartledge. It  is one of the outputs of the JISC-funded SusteIT study on sustainable ICT in further and higher education, which is being highlighted next week at a free event in Edinburgh.

The half-day workshop, which is part of a Scottish Funding Council-supported project managed by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC), will be providing guidance on implementing green technology for estate and IT managers.

Delegates will be able to find out more about the footprinting tool, as well as how to cut IT energy bills by 10%, minimise power consumption and take action to reduce their institution’s carbon footprint. 

They will also hear from people who have successfully pioneered the use of the footprinting tool and who have made significant energy savings, with speakers from Angus College, City College in Norwich, EAUC Edinburgh Napier University and SusteIT.

The event is being held on 24 August 2009 at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, winner of the JISC-sponsored Green IT category in the 2009 Green Gown Awards 2009.

Suste-IT footprinting tool