The IT industry contributes the same amount of emissions as the entire airline industry to global warming. But it is also in a company’s IT strategy that one of the biggest opportunities for change – and cost savings – exist.
Shireen Naidoo, Director of Sustainability Services, KPMG
Climate change has a knock-on effect that opens business up to all kinds of risks – from environmental to legislative factors. Looking after the environment is no longer a business responsibility; it is an imperative. A KPMG study reveals the preparedness of different segments of industry for climate change, and shows which are in the greatest danger.
Whether they are suppliers or buyers, pressure is on businesses to be aware of the life-cycle and environmental impact of the electronic products they use, from conception to destruction. This has spawned a new kind of corporate competition that makes companies more marketable at the same time as its helping the planet.
The Global Carbon Exchange, a carbon and energy reductions consultancy, says that measures are imminent that will see South African companies penalised for their carbon emissions. These will introduce a new liability onto balance sheets overnight. Companies that take action now are doing more than reducing their risk – they’re doing the right thing.
A company that sells teleconferencing products to encourage other companies to go green has made extensive efforts to minimise the environmental impact of their own operations. By practicing what they preach, they hope to help their customers to make the same decisions for themselves.
Environment 
The IT industry contributes the same amount of emissions as the entire airline industry to global warming. But it is also in a company’s IT strategy that one of the biggest opportunities for change – and cost savings – exist. 
Climate change has a knock-on effect that opens business up to all kinds of risks – from environmental to legislative factors. Looking after the environment is no longer a business responsibility; it is an imperative. A KPMG study reveals the preparedness of different segments of industry for climate change, and shows which are in the greatest danger. 
Whether they are suppliers or buyers, pressure is on businesses to be aware of the life-cycle and environmental impact of the electronic products they use, from conception to destruction. This has spawned a new kind of corporate competition that makes companies more marketable at the same time as its helping the planet. 
The Global Carbon Exchange, a carbon and energy reductions consultancy, says that measures are imminent that will see South African companies penalised for their carbon emissions. These will introduce a new liability onto balance sheets overnight. Companies that take action now are doing more than reducing their risk – they’re doing the right thing. 
A company that sells teleconferencing products to encourage other companies to go green has made extensive efforts to minimise the environmental impact of their own operations. By practicing what they preach, they hope to help their customers to make the same decisions for themselves.