What is Environmental Objectives

Green Information Systems (IS) refers to the use of IS to achieve environmental objectives, whereas green Information Technology (IT) refers to the practice and study of using IT and computer resources in a more environmentally responsible and effective manner (Dedrick, 2010). Information Systems, computers and computing in general consume an immense amount of natural resources, the energy used to power them, and the problems that arise in the disposing of obsolete hardware. Mark O'Neill, the author of Green IT for Sustainable Business Practice defines green IT as, “a collection of strategic and tactical initiatives that directly reduces the carbon footprint of an organization's computing operation” (O'Neill, 2010). Issues of sustainability have started to become a significant topic of discussion in the information systems community. IT practitioners are focused more now than ever on reducing the direct impact that IT use has on the environment (Dedrick, 2010).