Green IT

GreenITlogo

The University is developing a number of programmes to reduce the environmental impact of our IT use.

It is estimated that in UK higher education there are some 1.5 million computers, 250,000 printers and 240,000 servers producing around 500,000 tonnes of CO2 a year.

Green IT initiatives

Green IT initiatives at the University include:

the introduction of PowerMAN (a power management system) across all University PCs (including libraries and computer rooms). This means that University PCs hibernate after a defined period of inactivity, reducing their energy usage
WakeMYPC , which allows staff to switch on their PCs for remote working wherever and whenever they want with the click of a button
the student computer replacement programme has been extended from a three year to a four year cycle. Computers replaced under this scheme are used in Schools to further extend their lifespan
new contracts which ensure that new computers can now be purchased with a four year warranty. Schools are encouraged to switch to a minimum four year replacement cycle for staff and postgraduate computers
the IS procurement process which ensures that our suppliers provide low power demand equipment and that they reduce and recyle all waste packaging
the full Outlook client which is available to staff who are working from home. Staff and students have access to their University e-mails through the intranet portal
MyFiles which allows access to a University filestore (Z-drive or shared drives) from anywhere using the intranet portal
printers and photocopiers in libraries and IS computer rooms that have been replaced by energy efficient multi-function devices (MFDs) and all use recycled paper. Default printing is set to print double-sided to save paper
IS donating some computers to charity

For further information, please see the Green IT Review and Green IT presentation PDF

PDF file icon [University of Nottingham access only].

Top Tips

Switch off

set your computer to go to sleep automatically when you are not using it
turn off your PC and monitor when you leave
use intelligent extension sockets, which automatically switch off everything when you switch off your PC
find other ways of working without leaving your PC on overnight and at weekends
use WakeMyPC to switch on your PC to work remotely when you need to

Reduce printing

avoid printing and photocopying by posting electronic copies of employee manuals, safety documents and other shared material in Workspace
get rid of your personal printer as other options are available
print on both sides of the paper (duplex) and in greyscale when possible
recycle old documents or reusing them for faxes, scrap paper, or drafts

Be energy efficient

save energy by supplying laptops instead of desktop PCs. A laptop, docking station and 22" monitor uses 27W less when being actively used, and 4W less when inactive, than a PC and 22" monitor.
only one device for each member of staff
invest in power efficient computers, monitors and printers
use video conferencing facilities and Skype to reduce the need to travel

Information Services

King's Meadow Campus
Lenton Lane
Nottingham, NG7 2NR

Please see our Help and support page for
telephone and email
contact points

Browser does not support script.

Change Text Only Settings

Graphic version of this page