The government claims it saved £7m last year by turning computers off and printing double sided paper as it reduces its carbon footprint.

According to Cabinet Office Minister Angela Smith it reduced the carbon footprint of government by 12,000 tonnes in the past 12 months by taking a few relatively simple steps.

Government derpartments were given 18 steps to follow, including switching off PCs at night and extending the lifecycle of computers.

“A year ago the British Government became the first in the world to set tough targets to tackle the huge environmental and financial costs of computer use,” said Smith.

“All departments have risen to the challenge of cutting their IT carbon footprints and countries from around the world are now looking to us for advice on how to follow our lead,” she added.

Eagle highlighted some examples of how the money and carbon had been saved including the decision by Crown Prosecution Service saving £2.35m by replacing 9,500 computers and 2,500 printers every five years rather than every three.

by Simon Quicke
15 September 2009
www.microscope.co.uk