Green information technology (IT) can be one of the world’s strongest assets in achieving and sustaining a prosperous, low-carbon economy according to Michael Dell
Speaking at the FORTUNE Brainstorm: GREEN event last week, Dell’s chairman and CEO said “ Ten years from now, we will look back and credit ‘green’ IT for helping to mitigate the effects posed by climate change, strengthen global industries and chart a new and prosperous low-carbon economy…It’s a historic opportunity that we must act on now.”
At the event, Mr. Dell previewed the company’s smallest and most environmentally-responsible consumer desktop PC. Scheduled to be released later this year, the computer is approximately 81% smaller than a standard mini-tower desktop, uses up to 70% less energy and comes in recycled and recyclable packaging.
Since 2005, Dell said its client desktop systems have helped customers save some USD 2.2 billion and avoid approximately 22.4 million tons of carbon emissions.
A recent study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) found that information technology is already providing the U.S. economy energy savings. According to the study, for every one kilowatt-hour of electricity used by IT, ten kilowatt-hours of electricity are saved. This includes IT-enabled benefits such as virtualization, energy-efficient computing, telecommuting and online transactions.
“Connecting with customers, employees and suppliers means understanding and sharing their commitment to green ideas and innovation,” said Mr. Dell.
“Today, I’m extending my challenge to every technology company to make the environment both a business priority and daily conversation, from energy efficiency and environmentally-responsible products, to carbon neutrality and free recycling for consumers.”
On World Environment Day 2007, Dell announced it would partner with the ReGeneration – people of all ages who care about the environment – to become the “greenest” technology company on the planet.
The company has since pledged to become the first in its industry to neutralize the carbon impact of worldwide operations by the end of 2008.
“We are on track to achieve that goal,” added Mr. Dell.
Earlier this month, Dell announced that its corporate headquarters campus is powered with 100 percent ‘green’ energy. The company’s carbon intensity (CO2 emissions/revenue) is among the lowest of the Fortune 50 and less than half that of its closest competitor.
Dell also offers the industry’s only free recycling program for consumers. In 2006, the company recycled more than 78 million pounds of computer equipment worldwide, a 93 percent increase over 2005. This put Dell ahead of schedule in achieving a goal of recycling 275 million pounds of equipment by 2009. |
