The Victorian Government have announced they have signed a new deal with the US based Clinton Climate Foundation to improve their clean energy targets...so how can IT take advantage of this?
The Victorian Government has signed an agreement with the William J Clinton Foundation to generate large scale 'clean energy' projects, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency. Key areas of focus include:
-
carbon capture and storage
-
energy efficient building retrofit programs
-
alternate waste treatment technologies
Victoria was the first state to introduce a mandatory renewable energy target, however the Australian Federal Government introduced the 'Mandatory Renewable Energy Target' (MRET) back in 2000, which requires 2% of electricity purchased in Australia to be generated from renewable energy sources. This mainly applies to energy suppliers at present, but there is an increasing number of businesses making the decision to purchase renewable energy. Dell, for example, recently signed a deal with TXU Energy to provide their 10,000 strong campus in Texas with 100% renewable energy. Not only is this great PR, but admirable from an eco point of view.
For IT, and businesses at a broader level, the initiative to purchase from renewable energy sources is just one element which you can incorporate into your Green IT strategy. Powering an entire data centre via renewable energy not only reduces carbon emissions and thus the overall impact of your business on the environment, but can gain major PR brownie points to improve shareholder relations and relations with the public at large.
References:
Dell & The Climate Group 2008, Dell headquarters powered by green energy
The Premier of Victoria 2008, Climate and Energy MOU
Mandatory Renewable Energy Target 2003, Mandatory Renewable Energy Target Review
Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000
