Special Report: Green Technology
Special Report: Green Technology
This topical report is designed to inform new business teams at IT suppliers exactly what key decision-makers really think of “green IT” – should it be something you’re pitching as a USP of the products and services you’re selling?
Recent years have seen an ever-increasing take-up in the adoption of virtualisation technologies, alternate power generation, power management systems, more efficient hardware and recycling initiatives. We’ve spoken to decision-makers at eight companies featured in the “Global 100” rankings; an analyst-compiled list of the world’s most sustainable FTSE listed firms, unveiled in Davos at each year’s World Economic Forum. The companies featured in this report have invested time and money into becoming truly “sustainable”, and are some of the most fertile targets for your prospecting.
Some of our findings aren’t surprising – these businesses continue to invest in sustainable technologies to reduce carbon emissions and improve efficiencies. Some comments are perhaps unexpected, however: one senior infrastructure manager has expressed that in his view, IT simply “ain’t green” – it’s important, therefore, that you realise it’s about minimising harmful emissions, rather than proactively improving them. Another contact we spoke to mentions there’s a real danger of “green fatigue” and disillusionment with the term – a suppler looking to gain traction needs to present its green credentials as a component of its positioning, rather than relying on them too heavily as a selling point.
Our findings also reflect the fact that if you’re selling green technology solutions into industry, you need to pitch them as a cost justification, as well as something that’ll lessen the environmental impact of the organisation you’re speaking to.
British Land Company
British Land is a property investment company based in London and listed on the LSE, investing in prime, modern properties. We’ve spoken to the company’s Infrastructure Manager, who explained how the company has more control over its “front end” as regards sustainable IT - a symptom of working in a hosted infrastructure environment. To read the report click here.
British Sky Broadcasting
Having turned “Carbon Neutral” by investing in clean energy technologies, BSkyB is rated as one of the UK’s most sustainable companies. Pearlfinders has spoken to the company’s Head of Environment - she told us that with a holistic approach to energy efficiency, green IT rates highly on its agenda. Virtualisation and power management strategies are two recent areas of focus, but the business continues to invest in new areas, such as video conferencing and the facilitation of remote and home working. To read the report click here.
BT Group
With BT consuming 0.7 per cent of the nation’s electricity, the company has reduced its carbon footprint by 58 per cent and set a target to achieve an 80 per cent reduction in its carbon intensity worldwide by 2020. Its approach to responsible technology firmly surrounds its data centre strategy - it’s aiming to become 70 per cent more energy efficient in this area. To read the report click here.
Centrica
In April 2007, Centrica launched British Gas New Energy, a subsidiary focusing on low-carbon and energy efficient products and services for its customers. We’ve spoken to an improvement specialist at the business, with a remit focused on the use of green technology. He’s highlighted the massive commitment to “greenness” across its business units, but warns of the danger of “green fatigue” among decision-makers being pitched “sustainable” products and services. To read the report click here.
Diageo
Global drinks business Diageo invests in a range of community and environmental projects, such as ensuring the efficient use of energy, management of water and release of greenhouse gases in its manufacturing operations. Here, we detail the decision-makers responsible for green technology initiatives at the business, as well as profiling incumbent suppler relationships. To read the report click here.
HBOS
HBOS is the UK’s largest provider of mortgage and savings products, employing 72,000 people across its group. Pearlfinders has spoken to the company’s Infrastructure Manager, responsible for data centre strategy. He spoke about how HBOS’s green technology strategy aims to limit the company’s CO2 emissions, as well advising on how new business teams should pitch their products and services to incorporate sustainability. To read the report click here.
Johnson Matthey
Specialist chemicals company Johnson Matthey boasts “rigorous” environmental policies, promoting its products as beneficial to the quality of life of people around the world. Pearlfinders has spoken to the company’s Environment, Health & Safety Director, who’s identified the IT decision-makers responsible for the development of green technology initiatives. Recent activity includes a server consolidation project, as well as improvements to cooling and power management. To read the report click here.
Land Securities
Land Securities is a FTSE 50 commercial company, specialising in property investment, development and services. The group positions itself as “Committed to communicating effectively both internally and externally on all environmental issues”. We’ve spoken with the company’s Environment Manager, who’s expressed an interest in improving the company’s monitoring of its energy usage, specifically related to power consumption by the IT function. With a new headquarters due for completion next year, the company is aiming to further improve its approach to sustainability. To read the report click here.