IT efficiency is about cutting costs not emissions

Data resource consolidation is essentially about cutting costs rather than reducing carbon emissions, it has been claimed.

Chris Green, editor at technology publication IT PRO, said firms that consolidate data centre resources, reduce their number of servers and make use of virtualisation will be able to lessen their overheads.

He added: "This will reduce the cost of your IT, its less stuff to physically manage; its less stuff you've got left ; using less power; using less resources; using less people; its lower operational cost.

"That's directly registered on the bottom line of the business."

Mr Green went on to say the fact that there is a pronounced environmental benefit from such initiatives is a bonus rather than the main focus of modifications.

According to environmental advice website Netregs, electrical and electronic waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the UK, with around 1.8 million tonnes generated every year.