18 July 2007
UK's First End User Environmental IT Board Meets in London
Slough, England, 18 July 2007: The inaugural meeting of the UK 's first end user Environmental IT Leadership Team takes place this week in central London.
Led by environmental charity Global Action Plan, and sponsored by international solutions provider Logicalis, the aim of the Environmental IT Leadership Team is to create an independent expert user group focused solely on exploring and publishing best practice sustainable IT strategies. The group will question political, industry, technology, and expert witnesses and have the power to commission independent research into specific areas of concern such as the Data Centre, Information Growth, and Legislation.
Speaking in advance of the first meeting, Trewin Restorick, Director of Global Action Plan and chair of the Environmental IT Leadership Team commented. Currently, the advice available to IT Directors and CIOs comes from technology vendors. Although the intentions are good, the advice can be sometimes confusing and contradictory. This green IT team will provide a forum to review vendors' advice and government policy, cutting through the techy and political jargon to give practical advice for creating a sustainable IT structure. The team will help peers put carbon reduction policies into practice and greatly reduce their environmental impact.
The remit and the direction of the Leadership Team will be shaped by the evolving challenges and concerns that CIOs face, as the IT department becomes the focus of carbon reduction strategies for many mid to large organisations. I am confident that through debate, research and discussion, we can have a powerful impact on the way IT is purchased and implemented in the future.
Companies including British Medical Association (BMA), Sony UK Ltd., John Lewis Partnership, E.ON UK, CQS, the University of Cumbria, Lloyds TSB and a major UK retailer have already signed up to the group.
Peter Ainsworth MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, has also lent his support: I warmly welcome this project. The role of information technology in all our lives is set to continue growing rapidly, and it is essential to develop a better understanding of its impact on climate change and the use of natural resources, in order to minimise it.
Tom Kelly, managing director, Logicalis UK said, This is a seminal movement for the IT industry and an opportunity for us to influence the future direction of IT in the UK . Participating companies are some of the most forward thinking in the country when it comes to sustainability and environmental best practice, and I am sure the group will help push forward new areas of development, in both technology and operational procedures.
The first meeting will provide group members with the opportunity to direct an initial piece of research assessing the impact of IT on the environment.
Martin Kelmanson, head of ICTS division, British Medical Association, said, Ten years ago nobody would have guessed at the significant role that IT has to play in shaping the legacy we leave future generations. I am extremely pleased to have the opportunity to be part of this group. It will be a practical forum to share best practice with industry peers, suppliers and users to make a positive impact on the way IT organisations across the UK tackle climate change. It is an exciting step forward in our challenge to make our businesses green.
The Group will meet every three months and will be supported by a dedicated programme manager from Global Action Plan. If you would like further information on the group and its activities please contact Global Action Plan by emailing amy.sims@globalactionplan.org.uk or telephoning +44 (0) 20 7025 3960.
About Logicalis
Logicalis is an international provider of integrated ICT solutions, delivering secure, converged computing and communications infrastructure and services.
We can provide the architecture, deployment, integration and management of networks and systems to deliver leading edge solutions that create value for our customers and meet their business needs now and into the future.
Logicalis is a trusted provider of multi-vendor solutions and services operating in the most complex and challenging business environments. Our relationships with the industry's leading technology suppliers, combined with our business understanding enable you to invest with confidence.
The Logicalis Group is a division of Datatec Limited (DTC), a $3.2 billion multi-national Group listed on the AIM market of the LSE and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. With international headquarters in the UK , the Logicalis Group has operations in the US, UK, Germany, and South America.
Logicalis UK has achieved independent certification for its integrated management system, information security, IT service management offerings and its environmental standards: ISO 9001; ISO 27001; ISO 20000 and ISO14001 respectively.
About Global Action Plan
Global Action Plan is the practical environmental charity that helps people to make positive changes in their workplace, home, school, and community. By working together, we make the small changes that have a big impact on the things that matter. We achieve measurable results in the UK by taking action on energy, waste, water and transport.
The charity was created in 1993 as a different kind of environmental organisation, focusing on people and how they can take practical action in their everyday lives for a better world. In the UK , we have helped thousands of people and organisations to make substantial environmental and financial savings. www.globalactionplan.org.uk
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