ICT may not be the biggest offender when it comes to greenhouse gases but it can help others cut down.
So claims Ian Brooks, head of innovation and sustainable computing in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) for HP, who believes that IT can help cut the other 98 per cent of emissions.
"ICT produces roughly two per cent of greenhouse gases but we can use this technology to address that other 98," he said.
Brooks pointed to government targets and said there was a long way to go in a short time frame.
"We should reduce greenhouse gases by 50 to 85 per cent by 2050," he said. "We are not talking about something for multiple generations' time here, we are talking about when my son is in the peak of his working career."
"This is not a reason to go all Captain Mainwaring, 'we are all doomed.' This is a challenge for society. It is about making the right choices," he added.
HP has set its own goals for reducing carbon emissions, both in its own operations and with the technology it develops and sells on.
The company plans to reduce the combined energy consumption of products and operations to 25 per cent below 2005 levels by 2010.
"But this is not just about technology anymore, this is about culture change," Brooks added.
Click here for more on HP's green ideas.
