Seven tips for reducing the carbon footprint of your office

Text: Carrie Brandt

We hear it often enough: the climate is changing and we need to do something about it. These days, the barrage of warnings can sometimes seem frustrating because it is often not clear what role we should be playing in this process. One thing is sure: the IT sector has a clear responsibility to do something. So what exactly can we do to help alleviate this problem in our offices?

Text: Carrie Brandt

Here are a few practical tips to help you reduce the carbon footprint of your office, one step at a time.

Purchase renewable energy if possible. Using solar, wind or other sources of renewable energy is perhaps one of the most important things you can do to reduce the carbon footprint of your office.

Buy energy efficient equipment when replacing irreparable or obsolete items. And make sure that the new version is durable and long-lasting to prevent more unnecessary waste from being created in the near future. Whether it is a table, a computer, or a new company car, ensure that energy efficiency and durability play a role in the decision making process.
When travelling is necessary, promote green commuting: car sharing, public transport, cycling, walking.

Turn off computers and other electronic equipment at night and during the weekend. Use energy-saving settings when in use.

Go digital whenever possible: store copies of important documents in network databases rather than on paper. Support software programmes such as TOPdesk reduce the need for paper by making paper filing obsolete - take advantage of such paperless solutions.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. We have all heard this mantra before, but a quick glance around most offices will demonstrate that the potential for this mantra to effect change has not been fully maximized. Make a point of really incorporating it into your work habits. (Do you really need to print that email? If so, can you turn that print-out into scrap paper when you are done using it? And after you have used it as scrap paper, make sure it ends up in the recycling bin).

Be creative and innovative. Recently, a town in Switzerland began redirecting waste heat from a server farm to heat a local swimming pool. Each organization has different purposes, limits and requirements, so obviously such a project is not feasible for everyone, but a little creativity can go a long way. Something as small as designing a few stickers that can be placed on computers reminding users to switch them off when not in use can make a big difference overall.

Keep in mind that the advantages of going green are threefold: in addition to doing your part to combat climate change, you will also be reducing costs as well as improving your corporate image in the face of a growing populace of environmentally conscious consumers. Furthermore, the initially higher costs associated with some green initiatives (for example, hybrid cars, green design buildings, and energy-saving light bulbs) are often offset by subsequent reductions in energy expenditures and/or by government rebates.

Want to calculate your carbon footprint? Visit the TOPdesk magazine website at www.topdesk.com and click on the link. You will also find more tips on how to green your office.

Sources:
http://www.globalactionplan.org.uk/event_detail.aspx?eid=2696e0e0-28fe-4121-bd36-3670c02eda49
http://www.bellmicro.eu/goingreen/pass_buck.aspx
http://www.engadge.com/2008/04/03/heat-from-data-center-used-to-warm-swiss-swimming-pool/


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