(*) Cloud computing is a paradigm of computing in which dynamically scalable and often virtualised resources are provided as a service over the Internet (Wikipedia). When IT services are outsourced to the cloud, they still leave behind an environmental footprint. Businesses and organisations should not transfer their eco-responsability. Greenethiquette provides guidelines for eco-responsability in a world of outsourced IT services.

 

Greenethiquette encourages IT users to commit to eco-responsibility guidelines where IT resources are delivered through outsourced services. Its objectives are :

• Raise awareness by documenting impacts of digital services with respect to the environment.
• Commit to fair energy use guidelines and adopt a permanently focused approach (with emphasis on best practice adoption, performance monitoring and transparency)
• Influence eco-responsibility from hosted service suppliers by requesting a commitment to environmental guidelines for reporting on eco-efficiency
  

 

Greenethiquette is a charter   :

• drafted by the digital service provider, that enforces a commitment with the hosted service provider.
• a label that is open to all, to formalise a code of conduct : no minimum service level with the exception of basic market standards (the European Code of Conduct, ClimateSavers..) shall be requested to the parties involved.
• a unique charter on the market as it is targeted at a new group (the consumer of the physical IT resources, rather than the provider). The charter is fully backed-up by standards, which determine the measuring elements and practices to be used. The charter defines transparency rules, ensuring energy output data is shared between the provider and the consumer.