John Seglias, Defra group Chief Digital and Information Officer, talks about the updated Greening Government Sustainable Technology Strategy to 2020 published today (10 December 2018).
As our modern world grows increasingly dependent on information and communication technologies (ICT), so our responsibility to deliver and use these in sustainable ways has never been more important.
The strategy was written by the Green ICT Delivery Unit, a cross-government group of which Defra is the Senior Responsible Owner. It sets out how the UK government departments and their agencies’ digital and ICT services can contribute towards this sustainability ethos.
It is essential that we use cleaner, and greener technology services and practices throughout the lifespan of ICT. This includes using technology to make energy efficiencies such as offering alternatives to travel, and continuing to reduce paper use and waste sent to landfill including packaging.
With the range and depth of the government’s commitment to sustainability outcomes, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this strategy underlines how cross-government ICT practices can play a critical role in supporting these targets through improved sustainable procurement and the need to report transparently on key sustainability issues.
Key to the strategy’s success will be close working with a wide range of stakeholders from across industry, academia, UK government and professional bodies.
I encourage you all to read about these challenges and opportunities and to find out how we can all play our part in this vital area.
Read the Greening Government Sustainable Technology Strategy to 2020
