theartofservice

Let’s face it: solutions that are designed to be environmentally minded are typically more expensive and have longer ROIs than general solutions that are available. This alone has many businesses pass over most “Green IT” initiatives. The current economic downturn isn’t helping the situation.

If the “growing green” movement is going to persevere, the long term economics of the environmentally safe IT has to be taken into account. The EPA has reported that nearly half of the national greenhouse gas emissions come from commercial and industrial buildings in the United States. This has spurred even more call for government regulation on the environment and business. This could result in government requiring businesses to use environmentally safe products and utilized environmentally compatible processes with hefty fines if the requirement is not met.

The cost for energy is also rising – an average 11% a year since 2004. In six more years, the energy bill for a company will have doubled without any expansion or change. The primary reason for this rise in costs is the diminishing supply of resources.

Another factor is that more green minded consumers are looking for companies with a strong record of environmentally safe practices and products. Eventually, it won’t matter how good a product is, if its manufacturing process is unsafe.

Solutions for sustainable equipment, processes, and products are more likely to rise in cost because of the remand. Especially if government control is initiated. Which brings us to the reality of the situation: implementing green initiatives within the economic situation may prove to be more beneficial than waiting, especially to the wallet.