Assessment 1 Green IT

Assessment 1 – Case Study

Task 1: Identify Business Strategy and Gap

Business Green IT Strategy

Green IT ‘strategic and tactical initiatives’

So what are the Green IT activities we should be focusing on:

Change the structure and culture of organisations so that Green IT is high on the corporate agenda and aligned with Corporate Social Responsibility policies

Make sure individuals and teams are in place to carry out structured Green IT activities

Embed Green IT practices into IT processes (based on the ITIL framework)

When procuring IT infrastructure, adhere to standards (such as Energy Star and EPEAT) which emphasise both lower embodied emissions and lower power consumption

Manage data centre power efficiency, with an emphasis on PUE (Power Utilisation Efficiency)

Move towards virtualisation, cloud computing and software as a service

Encourage common-sense actions and tactics such as switching off computers, and duplex printing

Greenpeaces’s “pathway to a cleaner cloud” includes these key features:

Tapping renewable grid power

Power purchase agreements for renewable energy

Onsite renewable energy

Investment in renewable energy or offsetting local energy demand

Funding negawatts: local energy efficiency offsets

Clean energy advocacy by companies

In General, For organisations and individuals:

Procure IT equipment and other infrastructure products based on both their power consumption efficiency and their embedded emissions. Use standards such as EPEAT and ENERGY STAR to help with buying decisions

Prolong the life of IT equipment, or when appropriate move to lower energy consumption products

Move to duplex printing as the default

Move to cloud computing and software as a service where appropriate

Turn off unused equipment

Recycle IT consumables

For organisations only

Put Green IT high on the agenda, with board representation

Structure the organisation to support Green IT initiatives

Change IT processes (such as Service Asset and Configuration Management) at the micro level to embed Green IT

Manage data centre power efficiency. Review metrics to ensure that they help to manage energy consumption reductions effectively

Move to server virtualisation, cloud computing and software as a service where appropriate

Implement server (and PC) power management

Use renewable and cleaner power sources

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Use renewable and cleaner power sources

Task 2: Recommend a feasible solution

1. Environmental review

1.1 Environmental aspects and impacts

Sustainability is about companies managing the social and environmental impact of their operations. Committing to sustainability means that college can make a huge difference on issues such as climate change, animal welfare and resource waste. And by companies communicating what they’re doing, stakeholders are better informed, meaning they can choose to support the sustainability as well.

The college uses a lot of water, resources, supply chains and energy. The company also has a lot of wastage due to appliances, electronics and other things not being turned off properly. The college can work on these areas and issues to make the college more sustainable.

1.2 Resources consumed

During the consultation we identified that The college also uses utilities like water, energy, money etc. Therefore, the resources that the college uses are:

Water – water is used for cleaning equipment. Also used for consumption.

Electricity – for lights, electronics, computers

Drinks – for drinking

Money – money for paying supplies and utilities etc.

Labour – hiring the labour such as the teachers, front office, janitor

1.3 Purchasing practices

The company must purchase utilities which occurs once a month, as each bill is calculated per month. Other resources will be paid at different frequencies like per week, per day, etc.

1.4 Environmental legislation and policies

There are certain legislations that must be followed such as the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.

1.5 Areas of non-compliance

Non-Compliance in the Workplace

Electricity Wastage

Smoke

Cleaning Chemicals go into air

Noise Pollution

Resource wastage such as paper and plastics

Ways of Resolve this problems

Using energy saving appliances, and making sure electronics are turned off when not being used.

Smoke Detectors and Proper Ventilation

Only use environmentally friendly soaps and make sure that the soaps are safe for cleaning.

Noise pollution is the disturbing or excessive noise that may harm the activity of human, the source of most outdoor noise worldwide is mainly caused by machines.

Make sure that people are informed about the recycling policies and always make sure that the recycling bins are cleared regularly.

3. Implementation of performance improvement strategies

3.1 Strategies and actions for implementation

Buy things like energy saving light bulbs

4-5 star energy rating appliances

Use less paper and send emails more

Turn off lights and electronics when not using them

Recycling paper, plastics, glass, metal, electronics

There are many resources that the college uses. The college has to use a lot of resources to run properly. It needs light to allow…

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