Green IT in India aims to reduce carbon emissions through the use of information and communication technologies (ICT). ICT solutions have the potential to enable reductions in 98% of global CO2 emissions from non-ICT industries. The document outlines targets for emissions reductions in various countries by 2020 and 2050. It also describes how ICT can standardize, monitor, account for, rethink and transform energy use across sectors to optimize systems and processes. Specific examples estimate potential global emissions savings from smart motor systems, logistics and buildings. The Indian government is working on legislation around fuel efficiency, renewable energy and electronics waste while advocating for green IT products.

1. Green IT in India
Asia Green IT Forum 2009
-Vinnie Mehta, Executive Director, MAIT
October 06, 2009; Tokyo, Japan
Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT)

2. “The ICT industry is responsible for approximately 2% of global
CO2 emissions. ICT solutions have the potential to be an enabler
to reduce a significant part of the remaining 98% of total CO2
emitted by non-ICT industries and the public”.
- Source: Gartner/HP/McKinsey/WWF
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4. The European Union (EU) has announced 20% emissions reduction target by
2020 compared to 1990 levels; will increase this to 30% subject to
international agreement post-2012.(2007)
UK is aiming for a reduction of 60% below 1990 levels by 2050, with an interim
target of 30%.
Germany is aiming for a 40% cut below 1990 levels by 2020
Norway will become carbon neutral by 2050.
California’s climate change legislation commits to 80% reductions below 1990
levels by 2050.
China’s latest five-year plan (2006-2010) contains 20% energy efficiency
improvement targets.
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5. Standardize: ICT can provide information in standard forms on energy
consumption and emissions, across sectors.
Monitor: ICT can incorporate monitoring information into the design and control
for energy use.
Account: ICT can provide the capabilities and platforms to improve
accountability of energy and carbon.
Rethink: ICT can offer innovations that capture energy efficiency
opportunities across buildings/homes, transport, power, manufacturing and
other infrastructure and provide alternatives to current ways of operating,
learning, living, working and travelling.
Transform: ICT can apply smart and integrated approaches to energy
management of systems and processes, including benefits from both automation
and behaviour change and develop alternatives to high carbon activities, across
all sectors of the economy.
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6. Smart motor systems: Optimised motors and industrial automation would reduce
0.97 GtCO2e worth USD 107.2 billion.
• Without optimisation, 10% of China’s emissions (2% of global emissions) in
2020 will come from its motor systems alone.
Smart logistics: The global emissions savings from smart logistics - 1.52
GtCO2e, with energy savings of USD 441.7 billion.
• Smart logistics in Europe could deliver fuel, electricity and heating savings of
225 MtCO2e.
Smart buildings: Better building design, management and automation could save
1.68 GtCO2e of emissions worth USD 340.8 billion.
• Smart buildings technologies would save 15% emissions for North America .
Smart grids: Would globally reduce 2.03 GtCO2e , worth USD 124.6 billion.
• T&D losses in India’s power sector can be cut by 30% through better monitoring and
management of electricity grids,- with smart meters and by integrating more advanced ICT
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7. Govt. working on a legislation to tighten fuel efficiency standards, set
voluntary targets to improve energy efficiency, push solar power and use of
clean coal technology in power plants
Govt. to announce a sustainable public procurement policy encompassing
central and state governments and PSUs including for IT
Several Mission-mode e-governance projects of the Govt. of India have
already procured Green IT products on a voluntary basis
Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Govt. of India is working on energy efficiency
standards for Data-centres as also’ Energy Star Ratings’ for Desktops &
Laptops to begin with.
E-waste Regulation to be announced soon – focus on EPR/IPR/Take-back by
vendors and ROHS
IT Industry/IT Industry bodies strongly advocate deployment of Green
products
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8. India has to be a part of
the solution..though we
may not have caused the
problem…
- Dr. Manmohan Singh, Hon’ble
Prime Minister of India
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