SMB procurement guides:  

AIIA is currently developing procurement guidelines to assist small to medium sized businesses (SMBs) to make informed and environmentally aware procurement decisions. The guidelines which are set to be published next month will assist SMBs when purchasing new computer equipment and disposing of old unwanted products.

AIIA’s National Manager, Sustainability, Josh Millen says: "While ICT is an enabler of improved processes, logistics, and other ‘smart’ improvements in the digital economy, the ICT industry is still directly responsible for 2.7% of our carbon emissions and ICT products consume about 7% of our electricity. With electricity costs going up dramatically it is no longer a trivial part of a business’s overall operating cost. Appropriate choices in technology can have an impact on electricity usage and the environment in many other ways so the purpose of the guidelines are to help businesses think differently about their current processes. We know that many SMBs don’t have an e- waste disposal policy and also, many of them don’t have a new equipment purchasing policy that includes more rounded environmental considerations. The idea behind the guides was to provide some policy and process ideas to help SMBs with this thought process. It might seem all too logical but people are busy and we believe that this would save them some time.”

Leading ICT, business, government and community

As part of ongoing work to promote the role of technology in a low carbon economy, AIIA had developed two publications to assist business and government.

The GreenIT eBook: Greening your business through technology

• A practical guide for businesses seeking to lower both the cost of doing business and their environmental footprint

AIIA White Paper: The role of technology in a low carbon economy

• An analysis of the contribution that technology will make to sustainable industry and community in Australia.