Green IT

Self-driving electric taxis, smart appliances and municipal solar power are all amenities enjoyed by the residents of the futuristic Masdar City in the Middle East. Here's how they'll make their way to the U.S.

Who left the lights on in your data center?

When Mary O'Malley became Prudential's environmental task force chairperson in 2007, she found that the company's IT department was already focused on being green.

Earlier this year, social networking giant Facebook finished construction of its newest data center in Pineville, Oregon. In a press release, Facebook officials touted the new facility as "setting new standards for environmental responsibility in data center design and operations." Those standards incorporate renewable energy tactics such as rainwater reclamation, solar energy, and heat recycling.

One or more of these wild-eyed approaches could save you a lot of money -- and not cost you much

Apple's quiet enterprise ascendance, looming ERP-like disasters in health care, the solution to a big security hole, and more didn't get the media attention they deserved -- until now

Cisco, Ericsson, and Fujitsu earn top honors for their efforts in climate solutions, remote collaboration and telecommuting offerings.

Citigroup is one of the granddaddies in the young world of green IT. In 2005, it launched its global data center strategy, with the goal of using only the most energy-efficient materials and technologies in its new data centers.

When Mitch Daniels took office as governor of Indiana in 2005, he created the Office of Technology and charged it with creating more-efficient IT operations. That mandate meant improving IT services as well as creating a more environmentally friendly technology platform, says state CIO Brian Arrowood.

For State Street Corp., environmental sustainability is embedded in pretty much anything the global investment services provider does. Its companywide Environment Management System operates on the principles of embracing green thinking in its corporate culture, technology choices and standard operating procedures, says Madge Meyer, executive vice president and head of global infrastructure services.

At Northrop Grumman Corp., environmental sustainability is part of the company's long-range strategic plans. The Los Angeles-based aerospace and electronics manufacturer's IT department is leading several green initiatives, including one called the Desktop Solutions Program, which launched in January.

A dozen nitty gritty tools and technologies that cut energy costs, boost data center efficiency and promote green IT practices.