AIIA calls on Federal Government to support Green IT

As well as improving conditions within the ICT industry, Birks said that tech firms had the power to make 'tremendous' changes to the wider community’s environmental impact.

“The World Wildlife Fund has done a study recently identifying the first billion tonnes of CO2 that can be effectively reduced by smart use of ICT,” said Birks.

“Look at things like smart buildings, telecommuting, virtual meetings, intelligent transport infrastructure and energy supply systems. Across those spectrums, ICT can play a huge role.

“Take smart buildings for example. If the building is smart enough to know when someone’s left their desk, they no longer need power delivered to that desk, and the lighting can be switched off from that desk area.

“That can have a dramatic impact on the overall level of carbon emissions.”

E- recycling

In support of its pro-environmental position, the AIIA recently launched a pilot program in Victoria to recycle computer waste.

The program, called Byte Back, allows consumers to take products back to collection centres around the state, including OfficeWorks.

“Around 98 per cent of the equipment can be effectively recycled, which is amazing given that it’s quite old equipment,” said Birks.

Birks called on the Federal Government to extend the scheme nationwide.

“Industry companies are very keen to demonstrate responsibility and ownership for the effective management of waste.

“The other states are very keen to pick it up themselves, but we would rather see this as a national perspective.”

The AIIA will host the Sustainable Futures Forum on October 7 at the Sofitel Melbourne, focusing on the impact of emissions trading on the ICT industry.