New Victorian group to tackle Green IT

Six public and private sector organisations in Victoria have come together in a 'Green IT Cluster' that aims to promote environmentally friendly IT.

The group was launched at an Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) function, receiving $100,000 in funding from the State Government.

It comprised the AIIA, Box Hill Institute, CSC, KPMG, Prima Consulting, and Tradeslot.

Victorian ICT Minister John Lenders said funding would be used to establish an "online sustainable capability register", an online portal that aims to rate companies' green credentials.

The group was also expected to determine industry metrics and modelling, provide advisory services and market Victorian sustainable ICT products and services internationally.

"New technology doesn't have to have a major impact on our environment," Lenders said.

"[Research shows] that the worldwide market demand for cleaner ICT services increases every year, with enormous market opportunity apparent in water infrastructure, building and construction and energy storage."

Lenders highlighted an estimated $25b of opportunities in sustainable ICT, and the potential to leverage this to create more Victorian jobs during the next two decades.

Victoria's ICT industry currently generates $27.9b in annual revenue, with $2.9b worth of exports and 87,000 local workers, he said.

Lenders also used the launch opportunity to promote Victoria's eligibility to host the "hundreds of highly skilled jobs" expected to come from the NBN rollout.

In a separate announcement, he drew attention to a December 2009 Access Economics survey that found 13 percent, or 219,000 Victorian households and businesses would take up an NBN-grade service if it was offered.