VISVESVARAYA TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
“JNANA SANGAMA”, BELAGAVI - 590018
2024 - 2025 A
Report on
INDIAN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM- BIKS609
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING
IN
COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Submitted by
SAHEEL MULGUND 1SB22CS091
Under the valuable guidance of
Dr. Smitha J.A
Head of the Department
Dept of CSE
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
SRI SAIRAM COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Anekal, Bengaluru - 562106
SRI SAIRAM COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Anekal, Bengaluru - 562106
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
CERTIFICATE
Certified that the IKS activity carried out by SAHEEL MULGUND bearing
1SB22CS091 a bonafide student of Sri Sairam College of Engineering in partial
fulfilment for the award of “BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING” in COMPUTER
SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING as prescribed by VISVESVARAYA TECHNOLOGICAL
UNIVERSITY, BELAGAVI during the academic year 2024-2025. It is certified that all
corrections/suggestions indicated for Internal Assessment have been incorporated in the
Report deposited in the Departmental library. The IKS activity report has been approved
as it satisfies the academic requirements in respect of IKS activity prescribed for the said
Degree.
Dr. Smitha J.A
Head of the Department
Dept. of CSE
Case Study Report: The Adoption of Green Technologies in IT
Abstract
This case study report explores the adoption of green
technologies within the Information Technology (IT) sector,
highlighting the key drivers, challenges, strategies, and
outcomes associated with environmentally sustainable IT
practices. With increasing concerns over climate change, carbon
footprints, and electronic waste, the IT industry faces growing
pressure to integrate green technologies. This report examines
case studies from leading global companies and institutions,
analyzes the effectiveness of green IT initiatives, and provides
recommendations for sustainable practices.
Introduction
Background The exponential growth of the IT sector has
significantly contributed to economic development, innovation,
and globalization. However, it also brings considerable
environmental challenges such as increased energy
consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and electronic waste.
Green IT refers to environmentally sustainable computing that
seeks to minimize the negative impact of IT operations.
Objectives
The primary objective of this case study is to understand how
IT organizations are adopting green technologies, identify best
practices, and assess the environmental and economic benefits
derived from these initiatives.
Methodology
This report uses a qualitative research approach, drawing
insights from secondary data including academic journals,
corporate sustainability reports, and government publications. It
includes detailed case studies of companies such as Google,
Microsoft, IBM, and smaller startups.
Green Technologies in IT
Definition and Scope Green technologies in IT encompass
hardware and software solutions that reduce energy consumption
and environmental impact. These include energyefficient data
centers, cloud computing, virtualization, sustainable hardware,
e-waste recycling, and renewable energy integration.
Categories of Green IT
• Green Use: Reducing the energy consumption of
computers and related resources.
• Green Disposal: Recycling and disposing of e-waste
responsibly.
• Green Design: Designing energy-efficient and
environmentally friendly IT systems.
• Green Manufacturing: Minimizing waste and pollutants
during the manufacturing process.
Drivers for Green IT Adoption
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Many
organizations adopt green IT to align with CSR goals and
improve their public image.
• Cost Savings Energy-efficient technologies can lead to
substantial cost savings through reduced electricity bills
and lower cooling requirements.
• Stakeholder Pressure Investors, customers, and employees
increasingly demand sustainable business practices.
Case Studies
• Microsoft Microsoft aims to be carbon negative by 2030. It
uses renewable energy, efficient data centers, and internal
carbon pricing to drive sustainability. The company also
offers tools for customers to monitor and reduce their
carbon footprints.
• Google Google has committed to operating its data centers
and offices on carbon-free energy 24/7 by 2030. It has
implemented advanced AI systems to optimize data center
energy use, achieving up to 40% reduction in cooling
energy.
• IBM IBM's green initiatives include the development of
energy-efficient servers and intelligent cooling systems. It
has reduced its electricity use through virtualization and
consolidation.
• Startups and SMEs Many startups are innovating in the
green IT space. For instance, companies like Back Market
promote the refurbishment and resale of electronics to
reduce e-waste.
Challenges in Adopting Green IT
• High Initial Costs Sustainable technologies often require
significant upfront investment.
• Technological Limitations Not all green solutions are
compatible with existing systems, leading to integration
challenges.
• Lack of Awareness Many organizations are unaware of the
benefits or existence of green technologies.
• Resistance to Change Cultural and organizational
resistance can hinder the adoption of new sustainable
practices.
Strategies for Effective Green IT Implementation
• Employee Training and Engagement Educating staff on
green practices ensures better implementation and
innovation.
• Investment in R&D Continued research and development
can lead to more efficient and affordable green
technologies.
• Collaboration and Partnerships Partnering with other
organizations and stakeholders can amplify sustainability
efforts.
Future Trends in Green IT
• AI and Machine Learning AI can optimize energy use and
predict maintenance, reducing resource wastage.
• Quantum Computing Although still in development,
quantum computing promises massive efficiency gains.
• Circular Economy More companies are adopting circular
economy principles, designing products for reuse and
recycling.
• Sustainable Software Development Developers are
focusing on creating software that consumes less energy
and resources.
Conclusion
The adoption of green technologies in IT is both a responsibility
and an opportunity. While challenges remain, the long-term
benefits for the environment, economy, and society are
substantial. By embracing sustainable practices, IT
organizations can lead the way in the global transition toward a
greener future.
References
1. Gartner. (2021). The Role of IT in Sustainability: A
Gartner Trend Insight Report.
2. Google Sustainability. (2023). Our Commitments.
Retrieved from https://sustainability.google
3. Microsoft. (2023). Sustainability Reports. Retrieved from
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sustainability
4. IBM. (2023). Environmental Responsibility. Retrieved
from https://www.ibm.com/environment
5. Back Market. (2023). About Us. Retrieved from
https://www.backmarket.com/en-us/about-us
6. Murugesan, S. (2008). Harnessing Green IT: Principles
and Practices. IT Professional, 10(1), 24-33.
7. Dedrick, J. (2010). Green IS: Concepts and Issues for
Information Systems Research. Communications of the
Association for Information Systems, 27(1), 11.
8. EPA. (2022). Electronics Stewardship. United States
Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved from
https://www.epa.gov/smm-electronics
9. International Energy Agency (IEA). (2022). Data Centres
and Data Transmission Networks. Retrieved from
https://www.iea.org/topics/data-centres
10. UN Environment Programme. (2022). E-waste: A Growing
Concern. Retrieved from
https://www.unep.org/resources/report/global-
ewastemonitor-2020
