Here is a forecast. We expect the outlook to comprise greener clouds!

Today saw the publication of the annual Greenpeace survey into the green credentials of the electronics industry. It looks at the progress that the leading manufacturers have been making over the last year in managing their environmental impacts.

The scope of the survey has always been limited by the fact that it principally examines the materials applied in the manufacture of products. Clearly an important element in this debate is the role that is played by software. For example, as more and more computing is conducted online, there is less of a requirement  for the use of machinery with a capacity to run numerous programmes locally. This, over time, should lead to the production of much smaller devices which are consequently more environmentally friendly.

We have always found it curious that the companies that operate in this area have, to date, largely failed to discuss this aspect of what they do. A glance at the Google website, for example, reveals very little about the company’s approach to environmental matters. Here is a forecast. We expect the outlook to comprise greener clouds!