Top IT manufacturers iniatiate steps on environment
25 Jul 2009
Speaking at the launch of the India chapter of Climate Savers Computing Initiative (CSCI), Jairam Ramesh, minuister of state for environment forests, yesterday said that India is committed to bringing about a reduction in its global carbon footprint.
The Climate Savers Computing Initiative is a nonprofit group of eco-conscious consumers, businesses and conservation organisations committed to reducing the energy consumption of computers. More than 475 companies and organizations have joined this initiative since its launch in June 2007, and thousands of individuals have pledged their support.
The Initiative is led by CSC, Dell, Google, HP, Intel, Lenovo, Microsoft, and World Wide Fund. Sponsors include 1E, Acer Inc., Advanced Micro Devices Inc., Delta Electronics, Inc., Faronics, Fujitsu Limited, Hitachi Ltd., Intuit, NEC Corporation, Sun Microsystems, Inc., Super Micro Computer Inc., Symantec, Verdiem Corporation.
Welcoming the CSCI initiative, Ramesh said the government of India would look to the IT industry to drive impactful and tangible change both through the use of IT across various industries to drive efficiency, as well as within the industry, through the adoption of energy efficient products.
He said that starting January 2010, it will become mandatory for certain products to carry eco labelling. In the first lot 4 products – refrigerators, air conditioners, distribution transforms and fluorescent lamps will be covered. By mid next year three more product lines - colour TVs, LPG stoves and electric motors - will need to carry the mandatory eco labelling.
Welcoming the move by leading IT companies and industry bodies including CII, DELL, HP, Intel, MAIT, Nasscom, TERI and WWF came together in announcing the India programme of CSCI that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4 million tons over the next three years, he urged the IT industry to work with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency to device similar eco-labelling standards for adoption in the country.
