E-Commerce Companies Slow to Adopt Green IT

February 9, 2009

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Ninety-seven percent of IT professionals feel that it is important for their Internet and ecommerce related businesses to reduce their carbon footprint, yet little real action is underway, according to a new report, Think Eco-Logical – IT Sustainability Imperatives in Internet and eCommerce Business, by The BPM Forum and its Global Renewable Energy and Environmental Network released today.

Eighty-two percent say their organizations are more sensitized to ecological considerations, but that same amount give the industry a failing grade in their progress of embracing so-called Think Eco-Logical processes and practices.

According to the study, more than 43 percent of companies don’t have or don’t know if they have a corporate sustainability agenda in place. Lack of awareness of business benefits was identified as the top challenge to environmental sustainability.

Data from the report suggests that intentions are good, but there is a dearth of leadership for green initiatives and practices – lack of executive focus was cited by about half of respondents as a top environmental sustainability challenge. Meaningful executive action is also lagging; conducting conversation, setting CSR guidelines, and doing nothing topped the list of management activities to push the ecological mantra.

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Reader Comments

One of my pet peeves is people printing unnecessary documents. I used to have a coworker that had a bad priting habit – she printed everything, to only throw most of it away – highly inefficient. Education and motivating everyone to do their own part should have a big impact on waste and conservation.

Ecommerce Sam | February 12th, 2009

Good intentions are worthless when it comes to maximizing that bottom line. Once energy costs skyrocket and hold at an elevated level or shortages cause continued outages then we will see some action.

Bottom Line: Red/Black decisions profoundly more powerful then Green.

Bill Parker | February 13th, 2009

Business is motivated only by its bottom line. Show them the cost saving and they will turn “greener”.
A great example is using paperless software (electronic forms instead of paper). Saves the company money, improves organisational efficiency and helps support the environment.

Ruth Stark | February 15th, 2009