Does 'corporate responsibility' exist?

As phrases like “corporate responsibility” and “eco-friendly” dominate the marketing spiels of vendors, the more cynical of us are asking whether they are genuinely concerned about the environment or if Green IT is simply another money maker hiding behind the guise of philanthropy?

Many would argue the IT industry has realised it can exploit the concept of Green. Finally, a way to shed the image of ‘big bad corporation’ and be associated with a charitable cause like preserving the natural environment. So it’s not surprising that vendors are keen to tell anyone who'll listen about how they're reducing carbon emissions, implementing recycling programs and saving energy.

Then there are the technologies that have been conveniently labelled ‘Green’ at a time when awareness of environmental issues is at its peak. Using Green as a platform to promote a particular product certainly has advantages when marketing to eco-conscious consumers; however no one can deny the real environmental benefits of the technology.

So why am I getting so hung up on the motives behind Green IT? Should I be content with the knowledge that regardless of a vendor’s intentions, the end result is a positive one for the environment?

Of course, corporations are swearing that their intentions are pure, that the future of the environment is their foremost concern; but who cares if it’s a sales pitch? More has been done in the IT industry to prevent climate change and preserve natural resources in the last 12 months than any other period in history.

Rather than trying to analyse the reasons behind the Green movement, I’m simply going to sit back and ride the wave.