Climate change is one issue that will not go away.  As our nation comes to grips with the implications of global warming, technology has the potential to be a major part of the solution to our CO2 challenges. 

The information and communication technology (ICT) industry is leading the way in the fight against climate change, by developing energy efficient products and clean technologies, by providing useful metrics and information, and also by enabling population decentralisation and large-scale telecommuting.

While the benefits of technology are far-reaching, we must also look for ways to reduce the amount of energy required to keep our technological devices functioning and our potential impact on the environment through e-waste.

Globally, the ICT industry generates 2 per cent of the world's carbon emissions, according to research by Gartner.

Australia's carbon emissions total 522.2 million tonnes per year. Of that, 7.94 million tonnes comes from ICT use by Australian businesses, according to a study released recently by the Australian Computer Society.

Those emissions are equivalent to those generated by the aviation industry, and come from technology such as PCs, servers, air-conditioning, mobile phones and printers.

So what is our industry doing to clear the air?

A large number of high technology companies have already adopted the mantra ‘corporate responsibility starts from home’.  For instance, Fuji Xerox relocated its Canberra branch to a new environmentally friendly site in 2006.  The facility was designed with energy and water savings initiatives in mind.  During the first year of operation, Fuji Xerox estimates that it prevented around 150 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions being released into the atmosphere; and water saving measures have already reduced the company’s water usage by more than 40,000 litres - enough to fill an average private pool.

Beyond their own back yards, ICT enterprises are finding creative ways to cut emissions.  For instance, in mid-September, EDS outlined plans to reduce its customers’ carbon dioxide emissions from technology-related services by up to 40 per cent.

One of EDS’ initiatives is to consolidate its clients’ data centres.  These data centres house mission-critical systems such as a bank’s customer records, and can typically use 500 watts of energy per square metre, compared with about 20 watts for an open-plan office, because of the computers and air-conditioning required to cool the hardware.  By consolidating data centres, EDS is sometimes eliminating whole buildings and tons of carbon dioxide.

In another outstanding example of sustainable practices, in 2006 IBM Australia recycled 98 per cent of over 150 metric tonnes of the machines scrapped at end of lease and from its operations in Australia, a 9 per cent increase on 2005.

And when it comes to e-waste, IBM is not alone.  In September, a consortium of ICT companies (Apple, Canon, Dell, Epson, Fujitsu, Fuji-Xerox, HP, IBM, Lenovo, and Lexmark) together with AIIA and Sustainability Victoria launched Byteback, which aims to keep unwanted equipment out of landfill and recover materials through environmentally responsible recycling.

Consumers and small businesses can take their unwanted computer equipment to any one of nine sites around Victoria and dispose of it in a responsible way.  The service is free to the community, as industry partners cover the cost of transporting and recycling their branded equipment. 

Byteback is an Australian first because of its co-operative nature, and learnings from Byteback will help the industry prepare for a national approach to disposing of computer equipment responsibly.  AIIA is already in advanced talks with other major players to join the founding partners and we are actively encouraging other industry members to participate.

As we see increasing social and political pressure on businesses to become more environmentally responsible, it’s important that we support businesses as they develop long-term strategies for a sustainable future.

On 18 October, AIIA will host a ‘Sustainable Futures Forum’ in Melbourne to explore how ICT can solve the world’s environmental challenges and help enterprises become environmentally sustainable.

You’ll find more information about this one-day conference at: www.aiiaconference.com.au

Join us to find out what some of Australia’s leading ICT vendors are doing to ensure we all have a greener footprint.

Sheryle Moon
Chief Executive Officer
Australian Information Industry Association

The twenty-ninth Annual General Meeting of the Australian Information Industry Association Limited (AIIA) will be held on:

Date:    Thursday, 18 October 2007
Time:    5.00pm – 6.00 pm
Venue:  Peninsular, Shed 14, Central Pier, 161 Harbour Esplanade, The Docklands, Melbourne

The AGM is taking place at the same venue as the Sustainable Futures Forum and AIIA Board Dinner.  AIIA encourages you to attend both of these events.  To find out more and register online visit www.aiiaconference.com.au

AGM Business

• To confirm the Minutes of last year’s Annual General Meeting held on Thursday, 19 October 2006 at the Harbour Marriott Hotel, Sydney.
• To receive the accounts for the year ended 30 June 2007.
• To announce the results of the election for the 2007/2008 AIIA Board of Directors.
• Other Business.
  

GS1 has been developing a new bar code symbology with retailers around the world. Called GS1 DataBar (formerly Reduced Space Symbology, or RSS), it is now a global standard with a sunrise date of 1st January 2010.

In Australia GS1 is teaming with Australia’s leading supermarket retailers, namely Woolworths, Coles & Metcash, with the support of leading ICT Associations (AIIA, AEEMA and ADCA) and the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) to profile this imminent global rollout.

Centrelink is organising a series of Employment Expos across Australia - particularly for communities in regional and remote Australia.

The main objective of the Expo program is to promote information about real jobs, and jobs pathway opportunities – a ‘Jobs Marketplace’.

The Federal Government is looking for ICT companies to partipate.  The aim is to create diversity in the workplace, with an emphasis on the Indigenous working age population.  This is a great opportunity for ICT companies looking at hiring indigenous workers at a time when the skills shortage is starting to bite hard.

It costs nothing to be a part of the expo and will be attended by ambassadors Michael O' Loughlin and Arthur Beetson. 

Australian organisations have made little progress towards improving their performance on innovation in the past 12 months, according to the Fujitsu Innovation Index 2007. The Index, which was launched today, fell from 64/100 in 2006 to 63/100 in 2007 despite the fact organisations increased spending on innovation by a considerable 37 per cent in the past 12 months.

The AIMIA Awards, the longest running and most prestigious awards in Australia’s interactive media industry, are now open for entries!

Sponsorship opportunities are now available for 2008 AIIA events.  If you’re interested in putting your company’s name on some of the ICT industry’s biggest and most exciting events, please contact Tania Crosbie for more information.

AIIA Welcomes our New Members and profiles them each week in the "Our Members' News" section of the Bulletin.

We encourage everyone to view these profiles each week and see if our new members products and services are of value to your organisation - possibly as a service provider, supplier, educator, consultant, alliance or business partner.

Register now for FITT’s annual networking evening on Tuesday, 23 October at Hudson’s spectacular CBD venue!

Places are limited and you won’t want to miss hearing Dr Annie Stewart, an executive and career management coach from Sympatico Coaching Practice, share how you can combine your passions and talents to turn your dream career from possibility to reality. Stephanie Heasman, a senior manager from Hudson talks about the emerging trends and opportunities in IT careers and what employers look for in prospective employees.

Hudson is delighted to offer the lucky door prize winner a tailored career review and coaching program with an experienced Hudson coach. Six hours of one-to-one coaching using Hudson's innovative online program to help you identify and achieve your key career and performance goals. Value $2,500. Plus, purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win one of these fabulous prizes generously donated by our sponsors:

• Products from Communications expert Candy Tymson’s Communication Pack: Don’t Just Stand There – STAND OUT! 5 audio CD pack valued at $129.00 plus sensational books and CDs valued at up to $39.00 each! 
• Must have books and CDs from networking expert Robyn Henderson!
• A Networking Women’s Pamper Pack, including a haircut and blow dry and 1-hour massage!

Waugh Partners is hosting a "Meet the Open Source Industry" breakfast event in every capital city around Australia, where you'll hear about the value of Open Source, meet the local industry vendors in each city, and hear about the Open Source Industry and Community Census - the biggest ever research project into the dynamics and metrics of the industry and community behind Open Source in Australia.

The event is a breakfast event with time for networking afterwards. Please click through to RSVP to the event in your city.