UK IT sector carbon emissions 'set to overtake' aviation industry

The ICT sector in the UK has a similar carbon footprint as the aviation industry and its growth means it will soon overtake the environmental impact of airlines, according to a new report.

A study published by charity Global Action Plan, in association with the Environmental IT Leadership Team, discovered that 86 per cent of ICT departments are unaware of their carbon footprint, while less than 20 per cent even see their energy bills.

While respondents revealed they were aware of green technologies, the survey's authors called on the government to increase its support for businesses and public sector departments looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

"The survey illustrates that ICT departments have been slow off the mark to address their carbon footprint. Awareness is now growing but to turn this into action, ICT departments need help," said Trewin Restorick, director of Global Action Plan.

"They need vendors to give them better information rather than selling green froth, they need Government policies to become more supportive and less contradictory, and they need more support from within their organisations," he added.

According to figures provided by Global Action Plan, ICT equipment currently accounts for between three and four per cent of global carbon emissions.