Green ICT: The technology with a futureAn interview with René Estermann, CEO myclimate

On the occasion of the Swisscom Business Award 2011, Swisscom presented a special prize for sustainability, thus underlining its commitment to sustainable ICT solutions. What do the experts think? We talked about Green ICT with René Estermann, CEO of myclimate. 

 

Mr Estermann, what do you consider to be the challenges in climate protection today?
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80-90% in the course of this century is a huge challenge. However, it is at the same time a great opportunity for the Swiss cleantech industry. I see the greatest potential for making savings in the areas of traffic, electricity and buildings across the globe.

What contribution can Swiss companies make and what are the opportunities?
Companies must radically improve their infrastructure, processes and products, and reduce their CO2 emissions. Energy efficiency will then increase and costs will fall. This will open up completely new market opportunities – on both a national and an international scale. Because Swiss cleantech is in demand worldwide! Any company that delays will lose out.

Why is myclimate working with the ICT industry in the area of climate protection?
On the one hand, the ICT industry is itself an important and fast-growing emitter of CO2 – on approximately the same scale as air traffic – and still needs to optimise its energy efficiency considerably. And on the other hand, ICT solutions are especially effective tools for reducing CO2 emissions in other areas.

Could you give us a few examples?
Working from home using Home Office makes more flexible models possible and reduces travel times and costs. Video conferencing means that meetings can be held with people across the globe very quickly and with virtually no emissions. I’m also thinking about smart grids in the power supply, as well as other intelligent solutions in buildings, plant and process management. They have a huge efficiency potential and support a low-carbon economy. Myclimate uses specific CO2 calculations to demonstrate the considerable climate protection potential of Green ICT to interested companies.  

What about Green ICT at myclimate? Do you also practise what you preach?
Yes, we walk the talk as a matter of course! We communicate with our partners across the globe using a great variety of ICT media.  This saves us many flights. Many of our staff use Home Office – including me personally. When we buy hardware we are rigorous in our attention to high energy efficiency and we purchase our electricity from 100% renewable sources. Finally, we did not let up until we had found an air-cooled, energy-efficient solution for our server.

Mr Estermann, thank you for the interview, and here’s to a green future.