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The United Nations estimates that the world generates approximately 54 million metric tonnes of e-waste annually, with only 20% being recycled. This is just one example of why a focus on sustainable IT is important for future success.

In 2017, the UN Global Compact and its 2030Vision partners reported that digital technology—particularly open source—would be instrumental in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

One pivotal technology facilitating this transformation is Linux. Linux not only offers robust, scalable, and secure solutions but also provides significant advantages in terms of energy efficiency and hardware lifecycle management. 

Our Chief Technology Officer, Jamie McDonald, considered the importance of optimising IT infrastructure for greater sustainability, particularly focusing on how Linux can help organisation with this. 

What is Sustainable IT

Sustainable IT is an approach to corporate information technology that aims to minimise the environmental impact of IT operations and their contribution to climate change.

It involves finding ways to design, manufacture, use and dispose of IT equipment (laptop and desktop computers, servers and associated systems) in eco-friendly ways. It also includes understanding the impact of the complete IT operation to identify opportunities for reducing carbon emissions and creating energy efficiency.

The goal for decision makers is to optimise IT infrastructure for greater sustainability, while maintaining overall functionality and uncovering potential cost savings.

How Linux can help

Created in the early 1990s, Linux has transformed from a simple operating system to a dominant force powering servers, mobile devices, and supercomputers. Linux’s openness, reliability, and versatility are shaping a sustainable and intelligent digital future. It plays a crucial role in this field by supporting initiatives promoting energy efficiency and decreasing digital operations’ carbon footprint.

Linux has been leading the charge in promoting sustainable IT practices. Its flexibility and open-source nature make it a preferred choice for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Here are some of the top benefits that Linux enables for sustainable IT:

Energy efficiency through optimisation

Linux is renowned for its energy-efficient design. It provides extensive options for tuning and optimisation, allowing IT teams to tweak systems for better performance while minimising power consumption. 

Linux-based systems can easily scale up or down resources based on the demand, helping data centres conserve energy. A key feature that underpins this efficiency is the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI), which allows Linux systems to reduce power usage during idle times or low-activity periods. Linux-based computers consume less power and start up much quicker. 

Extended hardware lifecycles

Reduce, reuse, and recycle is a famous motto for environmentally responsible consumption, but applying it to computer hardware can be challenging.

Many proprietary operating systems force a hardware upgrade upon you long before your old hardware is used up. If you own a computer with Windows, you’ve probably needed to purchase a new one to upgrade because your old one didn’t meet the hardware requirements of the latest operating system (OS).

Linux helps to bridge the digital divide and extend the life of hardware, making it an eco-friendly choice for an operating system.

Linux’s compatibility with a wide range of hardware, including older or less powerful machines, enables businesses to extend the lifecycle of their IT assets. This capability is crucial for reducing electronic waste and minimising the environmental impact of frequent hardware upgrades. By using Linux, companies can continue to leverage existing hardware while still enjoying the benefits of modern software updates and security features, delaying the need for new equipment.

Linux in the cloud

Linux also plays a critical role in cloud computing, a sector increasingly focused on sustainability. Linux-based cloud environments, such as those offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Microsoft Azure, are optimised for high-efficiency operations. They utilise energy-efficient processors and offer features like serverless computing and auto-scaling, which further contribute to reducing the overall energy consumption of IT operations.

Adopting Linux can be a significant step towards achieving sustainable IT practices. Its ability to optimise energy usage and extend hardware lifecycles makes it an invaluable tool for businesses striving to reduce their environmental impact. 

As we continue to explore and implement new technologies, Linux stands as a powerful ally in the pursuit of a more sustainable future. Linux’s open-source nature, efficiency, and adaptability make it a key player in creating sustainable computing solutions that align with the future of technology. 

Our team of experts support a wide range of Linux technologies and helps organisations design, build, integrate, and deploy custom Linux solutions.

Our experience and knowledge of established and emerging technologies allow us to design the best solution for your web servers while ensuring you meet your sustainability objectives.