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Tread carefully as 'green' computing defies recession

08 June 2009

'Green' computing is defying the recession as more IT companies use it as a way to promote their products and services.

At the same time, buyers see it as a means of saving money.

IT specialists at national law firm Shoosmiths say environmentally-driven computing initiatives do provide genuine benefits, both in terms of cost cutting and in reducing CO2 emissions.

But they warn purchasers that there are commercial and legal risks attached to buying environmentally friendly IT products.

The sector is using several methods to prove its environmental credentials:

• Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) – 22% of computers shipped worldwide in 2007 (around 109m) were registered with EPEAT, a figure that will:
- reduce use of primary materials by 75.5m metric tons
- reduce use of toxic materials by 3,220 metric tons
- reduce 3.31m metric tons of carbon equivalent greenhouse gas emissions

• WEEE Directive (Waste electrical and electronic equipment) – means companies must take care over how IT equipment is disposed of, but should still maintain appropriate security measures

• Virtualisation – enables abstraction of computer resources so two or more computer systems can run on one set of hardware

• Teleconferencing – help reduce travel-related greenhouse gas emissions, and can lower  overheads, but buyers remain concerned about effectiveness of the technology and security

Partner Michelle Sherwood said: “In the past, companies have questioned whether the time was right to make initial investments in green computing, but as the possibility for long-term savings becomes more apparent, they have begun to take the plunge, and others have followed.

“But this doesn’t mean companies should throw caution to the wind, and care needs to be taken to ensure that when they invest – whether saving money or saving the planet – they put in place measures to ensure contractual protection.

“The risks can be reduced by securing suitable warranties and indemnities.”

For further information please contact:
Name: Alastair Gray
Phone: 08700 864096
Email: Alastair.Gray@shoosmiths.co.uk

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