Green IS: Concepts and issues for information systems research

Abstract

While public awareness of environmental sustainability is growing, there is concern about the economic costs of shifting to a greener economy. In the case of climate change, a critical issue is the relationship of economic output to greenhouse gas emissions, which has been labeled carbon productivity. Increasing carbon productivity means that economic growth can be sustained while emissions are reduced. Information technology has great potential to enhance carbon productivity, as IT is used to increase the energy efficiency of buildings, transportation systems, supply chains and electrical grids. On the other hand, the production and use of computers is a fast-growing component of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, a fact that must be balanced against the benefits of IT use. Green IS refers to the use of information systems to achieve environmental objectives, while Green IT emphasizes reducing the environmental impacts of IT production and use. This article focuses primarily on Green IS. It reviews existing Green IS research, presents a model of IT investment and carbon productivity, and lays out suggestions for future research. © 2010 by the authors.