Preparing for carbon tax

09 May 2011

Aside from the obvious controversy, the Federal Government's carbon tax could offer potential benefits for the ICT sector if it regenerated interest in green technology or sparks demands for new systems to track and measure energy consumption.

With the government planning to introduce a carbon tax from 1st July 2012, there is a real opportunity for proactive ICT companies to be first to market with solutions capable of monitoring and reporting carbon usage to ease the load for business.

The Government's climate change advisor, Professor Ross Garnaut, believes the Government should invest around 10 per cent of carbon tax revenues to develop low-emission technologies.That's expected to represent around $1.25 billion, on top of the $1.25 billion already earmarked for more sustainable technology projects between now and 2017.

For ICT companies with an interest in sustainability, there could be funds available to support development efforts that are backed by a solid business case.

And, since some of the money raised through the carbon tax will go back to businesses and the community as grants and rebates to help them implement green technologies, there will also be a potential market for renewable energy solutions.

A carbon tax will encourage Australians to lower their energy consumption in order to reduce costs. From homes and schools through to businesses of all kinds, people will seek solutions to the energy challenge. As ICT professionals, it's both our responsibility and our challenge to provide them.

Opponents of the tax fear that it will negatively impact Australia's manufacturing, mining and agriculture sectors, escalating costs and sending jobs offshore. However, environmental analysts say a carbon tax is essential to fund development of alternative energy solutions and drive behavioural change.

Climate Change and the need for renewable energy sources have been the focus of global debate since the first Kyoto protocol. With most of the world still yet ti act, there could be significant export opportunities for local companies that develop carbon reduction solutions for the international market.

Last year, the ACS commissioned the "Carbon and Computers in Australia" report which revealed the biggest ICT power users were data centres (18.8 per cent), PCs (15.8 per cent), printers and imaging equipment (15.7 per cent) and servers (14.7 per cent).

ACS Community Engagement Board Director, Jeff Mitchell, said ICT Professionals should stay abreast of new developments in carbon reduction solutions in order to maximise efficiency and tax savings for their organisation.

"By improving efficiency of data centres, reducing the number of printers and imaging devices we use, and turning PCs off rather than just putting them on stand-by, ICT professionals can help to reduce the amount of energy we use," he said.