Green ICT framework to reduce carbon footprints in universities

Abstract

The world today has reached a certain level where it is impossible to get the quality education at the tertiary level without the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). ICT has made life better, communication easier and faster, teaching and learning more practical through computers and other technology based learning tools. However, despite these benefits ICT has equally contributed immensely to environmental problems. Therefore there is the need to use ICT resources efficiently in universities for environmental sustainability so as to save both the university environment and the world at large from the effects of global warming. This paper evaluates the carbon footprints from the use of ICT devices and comes up with a proposed green ICT framework to reduce the carbon footprints in universities. The framework contains techniques and approaches to achieve greenness in the data center, personal computers (PCs) and monitors, and printing in order to make ICT more environmentally friendly, cheaper, safer and ultimately more efficient. Concerned experts in their respective departments at Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU) Malaysia evaluated the proposed framework. It was found to be effective for achieving efficiency, reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.