Aus: PCs lead in energy wastage

Business reliance on technology is generating almost 8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, more than the emissions created by the civil aviation industry.

According to research conducted for the Australian Computer Society, one of the biggest power consumption demands comes from desktop computers, which in many cases are never switched off.
The load on airconditioning plants to cool devices is also adding significantly to emissions, the study shows.

Greenhouse gas emissions from technology are rising due to the availability of affordable computing equipment. New technology is often greener than old technology, but because new equipment is often faster and offers more features, it often uses more power than the one it replaces.

Emissions from ICT account for just 1.52 per cent of the total emissions from energy consumed. “While this percentage may not seem large when compared to the overall emissions, it still represents a significant opportunity to contribute to overall reduction schemes,” the report says.

Civil aviation generates 0.97per cent of total emissions, and metal production 2.3 per cent.

A reduction in technology carbon emissions would benefit business by lowering overall energy costs.

Australian