ICT Sustainability COMP7310
Course overview
Course description
ICT is both part of the problem and part of the solution to climate change. A study sponsored by the Australian Computer Society has shown that computers and telecommunications equipment in Australia generated 7.94Mt of carbon dioxide in 2005, 1.52% of national emissions. This course investigates the contribution of ICT to carbon emissions and how technology can reduce those emissions.
This subject is drawn from practices being developed in the public and private sectors internationally. Implementation methodologies and assessment tools currently being field-tested are introduced. Qualification schemes and accreditation are yet to be established and it is possible those completing this subject may be involved in that development.
This course was developed in conjunction with the Australian Computer Society. The Learning Outcomes have been designed for Level 5 competencies of the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) common reference model. More information is on the course webpage: http://cs.anu.edu.au/courses/COMP7310/.
Course content
The course consists of two parts, corresponding to the learning objectives, with one topic per week:
Sustainability Assessment
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The Politics, Science and Business of Sustainability
-
The Global ICT Footprint
-
Energy Saving - Data Centres and Client Equipment
-
Materials Use
-
Compliance Audit
- Methods and Tools
Sustainability Strategy
-
Enabling ICT
-
Business Process Improvement
-
Improving Data Centre Energy Efficiency
-
Enterprise Architecture
-
Procurement
-
Energy Star Program and Quality Management
Rationale
Computers and telecommunications equipment contributed 1.52% to greenhouse gas emissions in 2005. The course is on how to assess the carbon footprint of the ICT operations of an organization and also the materials used in the design, manufacture and reuse and recycling of ICT equipment. Then students learn how to develop a strategy to reduce the environmental impact of ICT operations, and through ICT of other operations.
Ideas
The course is designed to align with the Skills Framework for the Information Age with SIFA Level 5 competencies: "ensure, advise: Broad direction, supervisory, objective setting responsibility. Influences organisation. Challenging and unpredictable work. Self sufficient in business skills".
Two skills have been selected, corresponding to the two learning outcomes:
Sustainability assessment
The evaluation of the sustainability of operational or planned IT services, devices and day-to-day operations such as travel. The establishment of a model or scheme to track changes in consumption over time and to generate feedback to enable improvements in energy or resource efficiency. The identification of areas requiring attention, and the initiation of actions to change or control the procurement of energy or other resources, so as to improve sustainability.
From: Skill SUAS, Category: Business change, Subcategory: Business change management, SFIA (2009).
Sustainability strategy
The preparation of a sustainability strategy for IT, taking into account any established corporate strategy, to be used as a basis for policies and planning, and covering both consumption and sources of supply of energy and materials. Evaluation and inclusion, as appropriate, of political, legislative, economic, social and technological factors. Identification of major external standards, practices or schemes to be adopted. Consultation with identified relevant parties, either internal or external. Obtaining agreement to the strategy and the commitment to act upon it.
From: Skill SUST, Category: Strategy & architecture, Subcategory: Business/IT strategy and planning, SFIA (2009).
Topics
Sustainability Assessment
-
The Politics, Science and Business of Sustainability
-
The Global ICT Footprint
-
Energy Saving - Data Centres and Client Equipment
-
Materials Use
-
Compliance Audit
- Methods and Tools
Sustainability Strategy
-
Enabling ICT
-
Business Process Improvement
-
Improving Data Centre Energy Efficiency
-
Enterprise Architecture
-
Procurement
-
Energy Star Program and Quality Management
Technical skills
Estimation of energy use, carbon footprint and materials use of the ICT operations of an organisation.
Textbooks
eBook supplied with course:
Worthington, T. (2011) ICT Sustainability: assessment and strategies for a low carbon future / Tom Worthington Tomw Communications, Belconnen, A.C.T. Retrieved from: http://www.tomw.net.au/ict_sustainability/
Attendance
No attendance is required. All materials and assessment are on-line.
Workload
To complete the subject you will need to spend 8-10 hours each week reading, communicating with colleagues and tutors, and preparing assignments.
