IBM wants to help companies reduce carbon emissions

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As environmental issues such as global warming, pollution and energy efficiency get more attention at companies big and small, IBM Corp. sees a business opportunity. The Armonk-based technology services giant said it has established a consulting service to help corporate customers analyze their energy usage and emissions of carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas believed by many scientists to be largely responsible for global warming.

The new business unit, called Strategic Carbon Management, seeks to make recommendations that can help clients reduce their CO2 emissions and related costs by up to 50 percent, including emission reductions of 15 percent to 20 percent for travel and up to 90 percent for computer data centers, IBM said.
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“Companies are being driven to reduce their environmental impact and improve their energy efficiency - their customers and partners demand it, their financial performance depends on it, and governments increasingly require it,” said Eric Riddleberger, IBM’s business strategy consulting global leader.

IBM said it could help businesses study the environmental footprint of their entire operation or various parts of it, including business travel, transportation systems, computer systems, factories, offices, stores or research and development sites.

“Piecemeal approaches yield piecemeal results, but setting a comprehensive strategy for emissions and energy management can provide real improvements and business value,” Riddleberger added.

One IBM customer is Morgan Sindall, a British construction group. Morgan Sindall has hired IBM to help develop a plan to tackle rising energy costs and comply with new British CO2 reduction legislation.

An IBM survey of more than 250 corporate executives showed that 68 percent of them already focus on corporate social responsibility activities to create new revenue streams. Fifty-four percent believed that such a focus gives them a competitive advantage and 85 percent said it reduces costs.
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