Tech industry must step up to climate challenge

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is urging the tech industry to become greener to save the planet - and also to boost business.

The WWF wants the IT industry to take on the challenge of contributing the first billion tonnes of CO2-emissions reductions - equivalent to 25 per cent of Europe's annual total.

Speaking at Gartner's ITxpo in Cannes, Dennis Pamlin, strategic advisor on ICT at the WWF said: "We've been quite frustrated with the IT industry for quite some time. CIOs have a big responsibility."

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Pamlin said that $40tr has already been set aside globally to build new infrastructure but it is critical this money is spent in the right way.

And if the industry invests in old infrastructure, he warned "we're going to fry our planet" - and said tech companies need to become proactive rather than reactive on green issues.

Pamlin explained: "Climate change is not an environmental issue, it's a social issue. It's about how the future of the global economy is going to change."

HP started working with the WWF back in 2006, with the aims of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions around the world, educating on best practice and providing tech for conservation and climate research.

Pamlin said: "If HP can take a lead in this, others can follow."

By 2010 HP hopes to reduce CO2 emissions produced by its facilities by 15 per cent compared to its 2006 level, as well as purchase cost-effective and renewable energy.

According to Gartner analyst, Simon Mingay, the IT industry contributes two per cent of the global CO2 emissions - the same as the aviation industry. "To tackle this absolutely requires the engagement of all the major players," he said.