Embrace green technology: Expert

environmentally friendly. These include those that consume less energy and emit fewer gases into the atmosphere.
An ICT expert, Mr Givemore Dube, who is a member of the Computer Society of Zimbabwe, said green                                                           ICT was an enabler for humankind and has potential        to enhance economic growth and to protect the               planet.
He said ICT could be used to promote environmental conservation and sustainability.
“They can be used as part of the solution to climate change, from energy consumption, to e-waste management, to ICT equipment production, to solve emerging market challenges and spur innovations.
“ICTs can also be used as a tool to reduce carbon emissions in other sectors and making everyone and everything smart,” said Dube.
He said core green ICT processes, which focus on improving efficiency, effectiveness and saving can also lead to optimised business operations.
“Research has shown that there is a positive association between good environmental and social practices and corporate financial performance,” said Mr Dube.
Investing in green business processes, he said,                        has a dual benefit of lowering energy consumption                 and reducing the carbon footprint leading to lower cost.
“Green ICT concepts such as the paperless office have proved to be viable cost-cutting measures. Transforming traditional data centres and server rooms into their modern green equivalent leads to optimisation, reduced energy consumption and cost.
“Decisions to migrate from energy hungry ICT tools (eg desktops, CRTs . . .) to energy friendly ones (e.g. laptops, LCDs . . .  and introducing responsible operational practices like switching off equipment that is not in use leads to reduced energy and operational costs,” said Mr Dube. — CAJ News.