While the global recession is driving organisations to cut back on spending in all areas, even green IT, a survey by Gartner shows most firms plan to keep efficiency-focused projects a priority.

European organisations showed the most interest in staying green despite the economy. In the survey of 620 IT professionals, 46 per cent of European respondents said their firms planned to spend more than 15 per cent of their IT capital budgets on green projects. That figure was 38 per cent in the Asia/Pacific region and 36 per cent in the US.

Of firms planning such green improvements, however, more are being inspired by energy conservation and cost savings, rather than by greenhouse gas reductions.

“As far as green IT is concerned, we anticipate continued focus on projects that improve energy efficiency and save money,” said Simon Mingay, research vice president at Gartner. “Despite the apparent strength of green IT projects highlighted by the survey, for most organisations not looking to exploit the opportunities of climate change strategically, 2009 will be a gap year for green projects lacking a short-term cost-cutting and efficiency focus. Longer term, we believe environmental sustainability will remain an important business issue.”

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