Cloud Computing – The IT Solution for the 21st Century


Foreword Cloud Computing – The IT Solution for the 21st Century


It is with great pleasure that I introduce this significant and timely study on the nascent technology of cloud computing and the important role it can play in both increasing business efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.


If the 19th century was the agricultural century, and the 20th century was the century of manufacturing, then the 21st century is surely the communications century.


Hundreds of millions of people are being pulled from poverty around the world – in particular in China and India. As we pass this milestone of fundamental human development we can turn to higher aspirations and goals beyond basic human needs and enrich our society through development of Information Technology. This will deliver increasing luxury in entertainment, education, information and communications. The physical goods industries lay the foundations of our modern


economy; now Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and cloud computing can help enable the full flowering of human potential.


A large percentage of global GDP is reliant on ICT – this is a critical issue as we strive to decouple economic growth from emissions growth. The carbon emissions reducing potential of cloud computing is a thrilling breakthrough, allowing companies to maximize performance, drive down costs, reduce inefficiency and minimize energy use – and therefore carbon emissions – all at the same time.


The early days of the computer revolution saw a great deal of money invested into ICT – one of the most important economic sectors in the world. There was enormous growth without sufficient thought regarding energy consumption. Now, we at CDP are delighted to be associated with new leadership in the ICT sector in recognizing and responding to the genius of science and design through energy efficiency.


We can experience a great move forward in this exciting time of technological development with ICT making a decisive contribution in reducing greenhouse gases and driving down emissions from business, increasing efficiency in operations and providing the network intelligence vital to reducing energy use and thereby combating climate change.


We are seeing an exciting proliferation of digital products including newspapers, music and movies and a growing range of products and services.


As we learn to live within the finite physical resources of this world, the future of our expenditure will naturally migrate towards the luxuries of the mind because these sectors of the economy have few limits. Business use of cloud services can play a vital part in making this dream a reality.


Paul Dickinson Executive Chairman Carbon Disclosure Project


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