ICT planning and design projects -

ICTSUS603 Integrate sustainability in ICT planning and design projects Student Guide
ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
QIBA Pty Ltd | RTO Code: 5304 | SG | QV1.1 | © 2021 RTO Works Page 1
ICTSUS603
student guide
Integrate sustainability in
ICT planning and design
projects
ICTSUS603 Integrate sustainability in ICT planning and design projects Student Guide
ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
QIBA Pty Ltd | RTO Code: 5304 | SG | QV1.1 | © 2021 RTO Works Page 2
CONTENTS
Overview 3
Topic 1: Planning activities for integrating sustainability 4
Topic 2: Strategies for integrating sustainability 20
Topic 3: Reporting on integration of sustainability 29
ICTSUS603 Integrate sustainability in ICT planning and design projects Student Guide
ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
QIBA Pty Ltd | RTO Code: 5304 | SG | QV1.1 | © 2021 RTO Works Page 3
Overview
Application of the unit
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to organise meetings including making
arrangements, liaising with participants, and developing and distributing meeting related
documentation.
The unit applies to those employed in a range of work environments who are required to organise a
variety of business meetings. They may provide administrative support within an enterprise or have
responsibility for these tasks in the context of a particular team, workgroup or project.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Learning goals
Learning goals include:
• preparing meeting documentation and details
• recording meeting outcomes.
ICTSUS603 Integrate sustainability in ICT planning and design projects Student Guide
ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
QIBA Pty Ltd | RTO Code: 5304 | SG | QV1.1 | © 2021 RTO Works Page 4
Topic 1: Planning activities for integrating
sustainability

Sustainability recognises that our environment is an exhaustible resource that needs protecting.

Climate change is influencing the way in
which organisations are conducting their
business and along with the push from the
growing demands of people who want to
support an organisation, brand, product or
service that aligns with their own social and
environmental values.
In an organisation, sustainability requires a
holistic approach, taking into account all
areas of conducting a business. Integrating
sustainability into ICT planning and design
projects can be seen as a critical area due
to the number of resources and energy
consumption that relates to its activities.
Therefore, as someone working on ICT
projects, it’s important that you consider
sustainability and integrate sustainability as
much as possible into ICT projects. This is
particularly the case for ICT projects that
involve upgrades to equipment hardware
and software and installations of next
generation networks (NGN) using emerging
technologies.
In this first topic we cover some of the preparation activities that you may need to undertake for the
integration of sustainability into ICT planning and design projects. This includes researching
options, market trends, and evaluating projects for integration. We also look at technology solutions
that can be used and gathering power consumption data for energy auditing.
ICT and sustainability
Before we begin, let’s review the project lifecycle and how it relates to integrating sustainability in
projects.
The broad phases of any project are:
1. Project
initiation
2. Project
Planning
3. Project
Execution
4. Project
Monitoring
and Control
5. Project
Closure
Image by Pixabay on Pexels
ICTSUS603 Integrate sustainability in ICT planning and design projects Student Guide
ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
QIBA Pty Ltd | RTO Code: 5304 | SG | QV1.1 | © 2021 RTO Works Page 5
An example of a methodology would be Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) which
is the entire collection of processes, best practices, terminologies, and guidelines that are accepted
as standards within the project management industry.
In relation to ICT and the project lifecycle, sustainability could refer to the design, development,
implementation and maintenance of computers, servers, networking and communications,
hardware, software, IT systems procedures and practices.
ICT sustainability ensures that equipment, hardware, software, peripherals, ICT infrastructure
systems procedures and processes are designed, manufactured, managed and used in a way that
reduces and minimises the environmental impact and footprint of a business.
Nearly every stage of the ICT lifecycle has an impact on the environment in some way:

Energy consumption.

Carbon emissions.

Water in manufacturing.

E-waste.

Packaging waste.

Many organisations today will have some type of sustainability or green computing initiative to
reduce the environmental impact of their operations.
Sustainability management
If you are required to integrate sustainability within ICT planning and design projects, then you
must lead by managing the implementation through sustainability processes and initiatives within
these projects.
This can include policies, workplace practices, systems and procedures, principles, tools and
techniques to support sustainability in projects.
Policy development processes and practices
To integrate sustainability, you will need to understand, as well as be involved in policy
development processes and practices.
A policy management framework should be developed and implemented when developing
organisational policies and procedures. The framework ensures that policies are being developed,
implemented, and reviewed in a continuing lifecycle.
Organisations often implement a six-stage policy framework:

Research: determining what legislation, regulations, and other standards that are applicable.

Develop: a draft version of the policy can be put out for consultation and feedback.

Consult: feedback on the draft policy is reviewed. Feedback should be integrated into the policy
as appropriate to finalise the policy.

Train: training people in the new policy version prior to its implementation.

Implement: the new policy is implemented.

Review: undertaking a review of the policy to see what is working, and what isn’t.
Recommendations for updates should be made.

The main components of a policy document include:
• administrative information, for example, policy name, version, creation and review dates and
who authorised the policy
• an introductory statement about why the policy exists
• a purpose statement about what the policy wants to achieve within the organisation
• a section that outlines the details of the policy: who is responsible for actioning or
implementing the policy, when it needs to be done by and which documents or forms are
needed
• the procedure: this explains how staff go about carrying out the policy.
The steps in developing a sustainability policy can be broken down into the following activities:

Identify and define the problem or issue that necessitates the development of a policy, for
example, introducing sustainability.

Then a person needs to be appointed to co-ordinate the policy development process.

The policy development process needs to be planned, including what tasks need to be done, by
whom and when.

Research must be conducted for example on legislation, other policies and strategies already
implemented

A report prepared to explain the nature of the problem or issue, to summarise research and to
suggest a number of policy options.

Consultation with stakeholders is very important to get as much feedback as possible.

Following consultation, a draft policy can be prepared.

The final stage is to formerly adopt the policy, including communication of this with staff.

Implementation of the policy should be monitored, and updates made as required.

You may be focussing on different areas of sustainability in ICT such as how equipment is
disposed or purchasing practices. Therefore, you may be developing more than one policy.
Implementing a policy successfully requires:
• ensuring that staff are consulted and are able to provide feedback on the policy
• ensuring regular communication with staff throughout the policy development process
• ensuring that there are mechanisms for staff to provide ongoing input
• providing staff training on the new policy and procedure, including explaining its benefits.
Systems and procedures
Policies provide guidelines for workers, outlining systems and procedures that can facilitate
workplace sustainability.
For example, a sustainability policy can provide guidance in aspects such as purchasing practices,
energy consumption, resource and recycling procedures.
A Procurement Policy sets out the rules, responsibilities, and criteria that employees must follow
when making purchases for an organisation.
Adding sustainable procedures to a procurement policy can support decision making so that the
environmental, social, and economic impacts of those goods and services being purchased are
taken into consideration during the decision phase of the purchase.
The sustainability of the good or service then becomes an important criterion when making an
informed decision on what to purchases, such as one product may be cheaper than another, it may
be more cost effective to purchase a more expensive product if it is power consumption is a lot less
than the cheaper product.
ICTSUS603 Integrate sustainability in ICT planning and design projects Student Guide
ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
QIBA Pty Ltd | RTO Code: 5304 | SG | QV1.1 | © 2021 RTO Works Page 8
Systems can include tracking energy and consumption use, developing key performance indicators
and benchmarks, or green workplace initiatives.

Activity: Develop

In preparation for your assessment, develop a policy framework that could be used
for integrating sustainability into ICT planning and design projects.
Include how you will:
• Research:
• Develop:
• Consult:
• Train:
• Implement:
For the purpose of the activity, you could focus on one area in particular such as
installing new equipment at a client’s premises.
Submit all work as professionally written documents within the timeframe allocated.
Your trainer/assessor will provide your group with feedback.

Principles and practices, tools and techniques
The following table outlines some of the principles, practices, available tools and techniques for
sustainability management, required in the ICT industry.

Sustainable management

Principles
• Providing a safe and healthy workplace.
• Designing environmentally sustainable network architecture.
• Having an environmentally sustainable aware culture, where responsibility
is assigned and understood.
• Being an environmentally responsible business within the community.
• Using processes that do not adversely affect the environment.
• Ensuring the responsible use of energy throughout the organisation.
• Conserving natural resources by reusing and recycling.
• Working with suppliers who promote sound environmental practices.
• Conducting audits, evaluations, and self-assessments of the
implementation of practices.

Sustainable management

Practices
• Use of a cloud-based server with desktop virtualisation.
• Waste management processes: donating of goods, selling goods, e-waste.
• Procurement procedures that ensure sustainability is included in the
purchasing consideration.
• Lighting solutions, such as: low energy bulbs, lighting control systems, etc.

Tools and
techniques
• Power management software included in operating systems.
• Carrying out an energy audit.
• The use of hardware tools, such as Kill A Watt, for measuring energy
usage.
• The use of software tools, such as Microsoft Joulemeter, for measuring
energy usage.
• Waste minimisation strategies.

Sustainability options and trends
What are the options available for integrating sustainability into ICT planning and design projects?
What market and technology trends within industry are going to shape how sustainability can be
integrated?
You need to identify and research options as well as trends as these are continually changing,
updating and with new technology, there are a range of options that are evolving.
Organisational policies and processes will define how you undertake this research; for example,
you may need to include options that meet industry standards and regulations, remain within a
budget for resources, or only source suppliers that have been approved by senior management.
Some broad options that you may be researching could include:
• the development of green networking (sustainable computer networks) such as using virtual
technologies
• purchasing of sustainable products
• power rationing using deployments such as power over Ethernet (PoE)
• consolidation of servers by using fewer switches with larger capacity
• the use of cloud services
• using software to monitor and manage power usage.
Current market and technology trends within the industry are changing at a phenomenal rate, as is
the need for sustainability versus increasing computer and network performance needs.
Some trending technologies include Edge computing, Virtual Reality (VR), Quantum computing,
robotics. The switch to cloud solutions for network and processing, storage and infrastructure is the
current major trend.
ICTSUS603 Integrate sustainability in ICT planning and design projects Student Guide
ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
QIBA Pty Ltd | RTO Code: 5304 | SG | QV1.1 | © 2021 RTO Works Page 10
Market trends are currently influenced by climate change, the coronavirus pandemic and
availability of the manufacturing of products. Some of the current trends are:
• the reduction of energy consumption
• reducing dependency on fossil fuels
• technologies such as wind turbines, microgrids and distributed energy resources.
• virtual technologies.
Image by Flash Dantz on Unsplash

Activity: Watch

The following video looks at how automation technology advances are elevating the
importance of industrial networks and how industrial sustainability efforts have not
really changed since 2016.
Video: https://www.automationworld.com/factory/iiot/video/21244839/technology
matters-industrial-network-and-sustainability-trends (02:32)
• What are your thoughts on this video?
Write down your key takeaways to reflect on what you have watched.

Activity: Research

1. Work in pairs to conduct research for this activity, dividing the work equally.
• Research four sustainability options that could be used for integrating
sustainability into a planning and design project. Relate this to a similar
scenario as in the previous activity (installing new equipment at a client’s
premises).
• Identify three technology trends within the ICT industry relating to
sustainability
• What are the current sustainable market trends relating to ICT?
2. Write a brief report that identifies key information and summarises your findings.
Include a video, podcast or article that relates to current industry trends and
developments relating to green networking.
Ensure that your report is clearly structured using plain English and a
professional format.
Your trainer/assessor will facilitate a discussion after the activity where you can
share your findings.
Submit the report for further feedback in the timeframe allocated by your
trainer/assessor.

Evaluating ICT projects for integration
Sustainability in projects integrates economic, environmental and social aspects:
The projects that sustainability could be integrated would need to be discussed fully with relevant
personnel such as project team members, different project managers, key decision makers, IT
technical staff, and functional managers (for example finance or purchasing). The size and
structure of the organisation will make a difference as to how you approach this, as will the type of
projects being evaluated.
There are a range of projects where sustainability could be integrated in an organisation, improving
environmental performance, increasing productivity, reducing costs of production and reducing
waste. Such projects could be:
• IT waste management
• alternative energy
Economic Return on Investment
Environment Energy, transport, waste, materials and resources
Social Workplace practices, human rights, society and customers, ethics
ICTSUS603 Integrate sustainability in ICT planning and design projects Student Guide
ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
QIBA Pty Ltd | RTO Code: 5304 | SG | QV1.1 | © 2021 RTO Works Page 12
• equipment upgrades
• introducing new hardware or new technology
• software upgrades
• procurement of equipment
• reducing energy consumption of equipment being used
• maximising the energy efficiency during a product’s lifecycle
• reducing the use of hazardous materials.
For example: If you were looking at IT waste management, you could be discussing project needs
such as strategies and areas that could be reviewed to reduce waste. In this case it could be
undertaking an asset inventory and evaluating what devices are being utilised and what are not in
use – leading to selling or ending a lease on equipment that is not being used). It can also provide
information on possibilities for changing the way in which IT is purchased, if alternative options can
be used, or new practices and procedures that could be implemented to reduce IT waste.
Project needs could relate to resources, training and budget requirements and policies, systems
and processes that will be affected.
You may need to discuss the extent to which sustainability is to be integrated, such as if policies
and procedures need changing and who will be affected by the changes.
Some changes that could need addressing include:
• the implementation of policies, procedures, frameworks and/or methodologies for sustainability
practices
• buildings and facilities which relate to energy, material and resource use
• new workplace health and safety practices and procedures
• key performance indicators that relate to specific business strategy targets (such as “Our goal
is to ensure sustainability is integrated throughout the business and embedded in policies,
practices and procedures.”)
• roles and responsibilities
• consultation and communication strategies for stakeholders.
You should also be aware of some of the advantages and disadvantages of integrating
sustainability into ICT planning and design projects.

Integrating sustainability

Advantages
Disadvantages

Can save costs in the long term.
Outlay of initial capital costs, time and resources
required.

Reduces energy consumption, saves
water, less waste is produced.
An increase in risk could occur.

Integrating sustainability

Advantages
Disadvantages

Better compliance for meeting
obligations relating to regulations and
legislation for sustainable practices in
ICT.
Resistance to change.

More effective use of resources.
Further systems and processes are required.

Can lead to increase in efficiency and
profits.
It could be hard to keep quality of products and
services whilst integration occurs as the focus is on
sustainability rather than a holistic view.

Enhances reputation.
If not managed and controlled effectively, it could have
a negative effect on workers performance and
engagement (for example resistance to change or
unclear roles and responsibilities).

Creates a positive sustainable culture.
The scope should be attainable. Many projects fail if
too much is expected.

Activity: Group work

Divide into small groups. Ensure you divide the work equally.
Brainstorm ideas as to how sustainability could be integrated for each of the
following. Use examples to illustrate your suggestion:
• ICT waste management.
• Procurement of ICT equipment.
• Reducing energy consumption of ICT equipment being used.
Submit all work as professionally written documents within the timeframe allocated.
Your trainer/assessor will provide your group with feedback.

Compliances
With any type of project, it is important to ensure that any required legislation, codes, company
work practices, regulations and standards, work health and safety requirements for work carried
out are clearly communicated in policies and procedures.
The laws can be quite complex, depending on the type of organisation, size, the industry, sector,
and state that they are located (there are different laws and standards for each state in Australia).
ICTSUS603 Integrate sustainability in ICT planning and design projects Student Guide
ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
QIBA Pty Ltd | RTO Code: 5304 | SG | QV1.1 | © 2021 RTO Works Page 14
The Environmental Protection Authorities (EPA) partner with business, government, and the
community to reduce pollution and waste, protect human health, and prevent degradation of the
environment. Each state and territory has its own EPA.
For example, the NSW EPA encourages businesses to make sure their activities do not harm the
environment and human health by:
• issuing environment protection licences
• requiring strict operating conditions and pollution reduction programs
• monitoring compliance with licence conditions and investigating pollution reports
• ordering the clean-up of pollution
• imposing fines or prosecuting organisations and individuals who break the law.
The Workplace Health and Safety Act 2011 requires that organisations protect the safety, health,
and well-being of their workers; for ICT this includes providing a safe working environment for both
physical and mental health. Regarding sustainability, this would include having procedures in place
for working with electrical devices, storing work materials safely or how to dispose of materials and
equipment safely. See the activity below for more information on sustainability and workplace
health and safety obligations.

Activity: Read and discuss

WorkSafe QLD provides an example of a state implementing the laws relating to
sustainability and workplace health and safety obligations:
https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/safety-and-prevention/creating-safe-work/healthy
and-safe-work-environment
• Find out what obligations there are in your state for workplace health and safety
and the physical work environment.
Your trainer/assessor will facilitate a discussion after you have completed the activity.

Further relevant Australian federal laws are:
• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act Regulations.
• Corporations Act 2001
• Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2001.
These laws and regulations relate to working sustainably when installing and disposing of devices,
equipment, materials that are used in ICT network systems and infrastructures. It also includes the
responsible behaviour of corporations relating to sustainability and the laws that relate to areas
such as water and conservation of energy.
ICTSUS603 Integrate sustainability in ICT planning and design projects Student Guide
ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
QIBA Pty Ltd | RTO Code: 5304 | SG | QV1.1 | © 2021 RTO Works Page 15

Socially responsible practice stems from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) concept
of business. It means that a business needs to regulate itself to be socially accountable
towards itself, stakeholders and the public.

The pyramid of CSR shows us that organisations can go beyond their economic
(financial) maximisation obligation and incorporate the social and environmental
obligations as part of their corporate moral responsibility.

Socially responsible practices can be implemented by developing and practicing
organisational policies and procedures that promote the organisation’s standing on its
ethically and socially acceptable business practices.

Industry codes of practice have been developed to help organisations with compliance with their
“general environmental duty”, fulfilling their obligations under the Environmental Protection Act.
Codes of practice applying to environmentally sustainable practices in the workplace include:
• Environmental codes of practice for industry (these change state to state).
• the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme.
• the Australian Packaging Covenant voluntary code of practice.
• the Australian Ecolabel Program voluntary code of practice
The codes of practice can support an organisation to meet its obligations by implementing work
practices that relate to energy conservation, packaging of equipment and materials, water
conservation and disposal of waste.
Your organisation should have clear codes of conduct and company work practices communicated
to all workers to meet any legal obligations and also to facilitate workplace sustainability practices.
This could include also include practices that create a culture of sustainability, decision making that
maximises sustainability in the workplace, sharing organisational vision, goals and values, or
corporate practices that relate to social responsibility.

Activity: Read

See the Queensland environmental codes of practice for industry as an example of
these standards in practice:
https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/environment/industry-codes
Write down any key takeaways after reading the information.

Standards fall under compliance relating to power consumption, under legislation where there are
minimum energy performance standards that should be met.
ICTSUS603 Integrate sustainability in ICT planning and design projects Student Guide
ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
QIBA Pty Ltd | RTO Code: 5304 | SG | QV1.1 | © 2021 RTO Works Page 16
The AS/NZS 3598:2014 standards are made up of the following three separate standards:

In Australia, federal and state governments require that organisations report their environmental
impacts to government or other relevant stakeholders.
Reporting may sometimes require companies to verify and audit their levels of compliance and
demonstrate plans for improvement. These regular reports demonstrate the organisation’s
compliance to guidelines, however, reports must also be submitted if there is non-compliance as
well.
When an organisation submits legally required reports, the regulatory body will check the system
to ensure that compliance has been achieved. If this is not the case, a review of the systems will
be carried out.

Reporting requirements that may apply are:
• The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme
• The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI)
• The Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS).

Activity: Read

The following is a guide to the AS/NZS 3598:2014 standards.
Website:
http://www.eec.org.au/uploads/Sector%20Development/Quick%20Reference%20Gui
de.pdf
Under legislation, there are minimum energy performance standards that should be
met, the following website outlines these.
Website: http://energyrating.gov.au/suppliers/legislation
Take any notes to summarise what you have read and keep for future reference.

•This provides guidance and checklists for commercial building.
This includes buildings such as work offices or retail spaces.
1. 3598.1 Energy audits:
Commercial buildings
•This focuses on processing equipment or
manufacturing processes.
2. 3598.2 Energy audits: Industrial
and related activities
•This adopts a tiered approach to auditing the specific
architecture of energy use in the transport sector.
3. 3598.3 Energy audits:
Transport related activities
ICTSUS603 Integrate sustainability in ICT planning and design projects Student Guide
ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
QIBA Pty Ltd | RTO Code: 5304 | SG | QV1.1 | © 2021 RTO Works Page 17
Researching suitable technology solutions
To identify the most appropriate and up to date technology solutions to be utilised in projects, you
will need to perform research. This could include:
• looking at current systems and infrastructure
• identifying updated compliance requirements
• consulting with employees and any internal experts
• considering current industry standards
• evaluating current market and technology trends
• identifying third party services and solutions available
• identifying what competitors are doing
• evaluating solutions implemented by other projects or business units.
Technology solutions will vary project to project, the following are a range of options that could be
considered in an ICT project:
As part of your research, you would need to gather data on power consumption as this can provide
information for the requirements needed for solutions as well as energy audits to meet required
standards. Power consumption could come from:
• a desktop computer
• servers
• printer
• network switch
• modem/router
• WLAN
• WAP.
consolidating servers and data centres to reduce power consumption
maximising current IT assets, for minimal wastage
using green data storage techniques to reduce power
using energy-efficient equipment/power saving software
buying energy star rating products
using virtualisation to reduce hardware and energy consumption and costs
responsible e-waste disposal.
ICTSUS603 Integrate sustainability in ICT planning and design projects Student Guide
ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
QIBA Pty Ltd | RTO Code: 5304 | SG | QV1.1 | © 2021 RTO Works Page 18
Power usage should be measured, analysed, and improved upon, using a continual lifecycle. The
purpose of a power consumption audit is to make an assessment to ultimately achieve a reduction
in the organisation’s power consumption. A power consumption audit methodology uses a
common four-stage policy framework:
• Measuring: measuring the energy consumption over a period of time.
• Auditing: analysing the energy consumption measurements. Determine where improvements
can be made. Setting key performance indicators (KPI) on sustainability performance and
comparing these against industry benchmarks.
• Researching: documenting viable solutions that can be used to make improvements.
• Implementing: implement new (or updated) improvements to try and reduce the energy
consumption being drawn upon.

Activity: Research

1. The following websites provide various different calculators, methods and
explanations on how to measure and reduce the power consumption of a
computer.
Read through the articles and use them to help address the tasks that follow:
https://www.matthewb.id.au/power/computer_power_consumption_calculator.ht
ml

How to Calculate Power Consumption of Your Computer

https://www.trentu.ca/eab/energy_computer.php

2. Complete the following tasks:
• Provide a list of suggestions that an organisation could use to lower
computer power consumption.
• Suggest three energy saving hardware equipment that could be used to
reduce power consumption.
• Suggest two energy saving software programs that could be used to reduce
power consumption.
• Select one of the calculators and work out how much power consumption is
used for one desktop computer, using the one that you are working on now.
Ensure that you clearly address each task and record your findings in a document
that is clearly structured using plain English and a professional format.
Submit the document for feedback in the timeframe allocated by your
trainer/assessor.

An energy audit examines where a business uses the most energy and provides an
understanding of where improvements can be made.

Activity: Research and discuss

Energy star rated computers have substantial savings over standard models and
have stringent requirements for estimated annual energy consumption.
Certified hardware includes:
• desktops
• notebooks/laptops
• workstations
• small-scale servers
• thin clients.
Find out the current energy star ratings for efficiency and performance requirements,
for the four categories of desktops. Complete the following table:

Category
Requirements

Category A

Category B

Category C

Category D

Take any notes to summarise what you have read and keep for future reference.

“ICT sustainability is about ensuring that ICT is designed, manufactured, managed and used in a
way that minimizes environmental impact and meets the aims of sustainable development.
Virtually every stage of the ICT lifecycle has an impact on the environment in some way.”
– Alison Rowe, Group Executive Director Sustainability, International Business, Fujitsu

Activity: Brainstorm

What strategies do you use at home relating to ICT sustainability?
Think of the things that major organisations are doing today to integrate sustainability
into ICT projects. Consider purchasing, recycling and policies for reducing
consumption.
Your trainer/assessor will facilitate the brainstorming activity.

In this topic we look at implementing technology solutions to reduce power consumption,
developing sustainability principles, key performance indicators and planning and design rules to
support and improve sustainable performance and best practices.
Implementation of technology solutions
You will need strong leadership, management and communication skills to oversee the
implementation of technology solutions. Gaining the commitment of workers will also be important
to the success of sustainable solutions.
Effective communication can lead to the success of a project. It decreases the resistance to
change and can provide a platform for articulating the benefits for integrating sustainability into ICT
planning and design projects. You may be consulting with staff, providing information or
implementing policies and procedures via meetings, presentations or distributing documents.
Specifically, the strategies that you use for integrating sustainability must be effectively
communicated and managed. You will need to have:
• an implementation strategy
• a communication strategy

Written communication should use suitable language and terminology, be clear and
understandable for different and diverse audiences and be formatted in professionally presented
documents.

Oral communication includes active listening (to show that you comprehend and understand
what others are saying) and effective questioning (to gain feedback and seek information).

ICTSUS603 Integrate sustainability in ICT planning and design projects Student Guide
ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
QIBA Pty Ltd | RTO Code: 5304 | SG | QV1.1 | © 2021 RTO Works Page 21
• key performance indicators or benchmark to measure success
• reporting mechanisms
• a review of performance and improvements
• communicating best practices, standards and any compliance obligations.
The solutions could either be long or short term, with clear goals and objectives. For example,
reducing power consumption or minimising waste. Ideally, you want to see a difference in costs or
a reduction in usage.
Some solutions could include:
• Purchase of new hardware to have energy
efficient rating.
• Ensuring that hardware equipment uses power
management tools such as:
o sending hard drive to sleep mode
o auto shutdown of monitor
o scheduled shut down of workstations at
night.
• Using multifunction devices.
• Replacing desktop PCs with thin clients.
• Implementation of server virtualisation.
• Web technology for telecommunications such
as online conferencing.
• Using remote energy management.
An implementation plan is a good place to start for implementing a solution. It can include:

Background, purpose and scope of project.
How sustainability aligns with the
organisational goals and objectives.

Goals and objectives for the
project which can be measured.
Benchmarks, standards, compliances
and baseline data.

Action steps for
implementing change.
A communication
strategy.
Evaluation, review and
reporting.

Image by Marcell Viragh on Unsplash
ICTSUS603 Integrate sustainability in ICT planning and design projects Student Guide
ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
QIBA Pty Ltd | RTO Code: 5304 | SG | QV1.1 | © 2021 RTO Works Page 22

Activity: Develop

Develop an outline for an implementation plan that could be used for a technology
solution for an organisation wanting to reduce energy consumption in their ICT
usage.
Review the following sustainability implementation plan as an example of what an
organisation may include:
Website: https://www.epa.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/PER_documentation/1491-
PER-Appendix%20M%20Sustainability%20Plan.pdf
Use effective written communication skills to articulate the information, using
appropriate language and that would be suitable for an ICT project team.
Submit to your trainer/assessor will provide you with feedback.

Key performance indicators
For any solution you would need to set benchmarks and key performance indicators (KPIs) so that
monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the sustainability solution (for example, metrics to
illustrate reductions in power consumption), and also the benefits that can illustrate the outlay of
costs.
The organisational requirements for this could be the standards that must be met, industry
benchmarks or performance indicators that can show clear cost savings.
Using environmental KPIs to quantify and evaluate performance can include:
• the amount of CO2 emitted per office/department/room/floor and the benchmark goal for
reduction
• a reduction on electricity bills with an estimation of the amount
• a reduction in amount of hardware wastage (this could be via the asset register)
• percentage of energy efficient hardware currently used or purchased or replaced.
These KPIs can provide information that can support financial decision making and data for
illustrating cost-benefit analysis. For example, you may need to purchase new equipment and
illustrate that the cost is worth the benefit. You can use the KPI measures to illustrate where the
money will be saved.
KPIs must be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timebound). This provides
clear outcomes that can be measured and evaluated. For example, if a KPI is to reduce electricity
bills:

Current electricity – $1500 per quarter
KPI: Reduce electricity by 25% by turning off all equipment and lights at 10pm every night.

The electricity bill can then be reviewed for the next quarter to see if there has been a reduction.
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Activity: Read

Review the following information on conducting a cost benefit analysis.
Website: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cost-benefitanalysis.asp
Read further information on measuring sustainability using KPIs.
Website: https://compareyourfootprint.com/measuring-key-kpis-sustainability
business/
Take any notes to summarise what you have read and keep for future reference.

Benchmarking can be used to control energy consumption and associated costs. It evaluates and
analyses energy and then compares it to standards set or past performance.
For example, this could be comparing electricity bills and benchmarking a target of 10% reduction
for the following quarter.
Once the data is collected over a period of time, an organisation can then identify any issues or
areas that need addressing.

Activity: Read

Read the following article on the benefits of energy benchmarking.
Website: https://www.smartwatt.com/benefits-energy-benchmarking/
Take any notes to summarise what you have read and keep for future reference.

Activity: Brainstorm and research

List down some measurable KPIs that you could use to confirm reductions in power
consumption.
Read the following article on the triple bottom line.
Website: https://www.era-environmental.com/blog/sustainability-management-triple
bottom-line
What KPIs could you use for two other areas of sustainability for ICT projects?
Take any notes to summarise what you have read and keep for future reference.

Quality assurance systems
Quality assurance systems can also be used to provide benchmarks and key performance
indicators for supporting the integration of environmental sustainability.
ICTSUS603 Integrate sustainability in ICT planning and design projects Student Guide
ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
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Standards can be used to help an organisation evaluate and improve efficiency, reduce waste and
improve the management process.
Total Quality Management (TQM) is an approach that seeks to improve quality and performance
which will meet or exceed customer expectations.
The approach focuses on achieving this through integrating all quality-related functions and
processes throughout a business. TQM focuses on the overall quality measures used by a
company including managing quality design and development, quality control and maintenance,
quality improvement, and quality assurance.
TQM takes into account all quality measures taken at all levels and involving all company
employees.
A number of key principles can be identified in defining TQM, including:
• Top management act as the main driver for TQM and create an environment that ensures its
success.
• Staff receive regular training on the methods and concepts of quality.
• Improvements in quality should improve customer satisfaction.
• Quality decisions should be made based on measurements.
• Use of appropriate methodology and tools ensures that non-conformance incidents are
identified, measured, and responded to consistently.
• Companies should continuously work towards improving manufacturing and quality
procedures.
• The culture of the company should aim at developing employees’ ability to work together to
improve quality.
• Staff should be encouraged to be pro-active in identifying and addressing quality related
problems.
A Quality Management Plan (QMP) establishes the standards of quality expected by an
organisation. It is usually part of a project management plan. It ensures that quality standards are
built into the project’s tasks and deliverables.

Activity: Watch and develop

1. Watch this short video about Total Quality Management.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwHngq4Bw0w (04:57)
Write down your key takeaways.
2. Develop four key environmentally sustainable management principles that relate
to power consumption and energy reduction for a computer network.
3. Write down 6 key considerations for using a quality assurance system for
environmental sustainability.
4. Research at least two other types of quality assurance systems.

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ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
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Reviewing KPIs
After a certain period of time (for example one week, one month or a quarter), you will want to
review the KPIs to ensure that they are still relevant and appropriate. For example, you may want
to set higher benchmarks and percentages for reduction or lower them if they were unrealistic.
You may be seeing improvements, or the solutions may not be working!
Improving on KPI’s can be as simple as tracking the utility consumption for electricity against
previous months since the sustainable practice was put in place. If there is no reduction then a
review of how the KPI is being followed should be conducted and the KPI either reviewed or
promoted again.
Some reviews include:
• monitoring electricity bills
• regular monitoring of CO2 emissions
• expenditure of ICT equipment
• using the benchmarks to evaluate performance
• conducting a quality assurance review.
You may need to gather this information from IT network teams, users of the system, the finance
and accounts department or business unit managers.
To make any improvements, you will need to consult with required personnel. This could mean
reviewing the performance of staff, reviewing sustainability solutions being implemented or seeking
feedback on improvements that could be made from appropriate staff.
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Activity: Group work

Divide into small groups. Ensure you divide the work equally.
Select two computers that you can use to work from. For each computer you are to:
• Find out the energy rating for the computer. Compare the rating against current
standards and state whether it meets these.
• Carry out a review of the computer’s power management tools, noting down all
the options available.
• Using the power management tools available, change the configurations and
settings so that the computer will be optimised for saving power consumption.
Take screen shots of each setting that you change.
• Determine four key performance indicators that could be used to measure the
effectiveness of reductions in power consumption after a certain period.
Ensure that the KPIs can be quantified.
Submit your work as a professionally written document within the timeframe
allocated. Your trainer/assessor will provide your group with feedback.

Environmentally sustainable management principles
To support the integration of sustainability into ICT planning and design projects, you will also need
to develop environmentally sustainable management principles that can be communicated across
the organisation. This will be according to any organisational requirement such as how the
principles are communicated, to whom and in what format and platform.
For example, you may need to communicate the principles by holding an induction session,
creating a document for distribution, uploading to a shared drive or integrating into policies and
procedures. Following are some broad sustainable management principles that you could develop:

Using sustainable products such as energy efficient hardware.

Implementing quality assurance systems.

Buying from environmentally conscious suppliers and vendors.

Reducing CO2 emissions.

Responsible e-waste disposal/end-of-life management procedures.

Using environmental KPIs to quantify and evaluate performance

Using an assessment framework for environmental impacts/managing sustainability.

Improving the energy efficiency of ICT network equipment by:
• reducing the need for air conditioning
• shutting down equipment during low demand
• driving ethical values through the supply chain
• engaging supplier’s involvement in emissions reporting and continual improvement
• engaging suppliers who provide information on energy consumption and product
lifecycles
• influencing suppliers to provide energy efficient products and services.

Using green procurement strategies.

Lowering of energy consumption or environmental impact of replacement products or
services.

Managing the environmental impacts of electrical and electronic equipment.

Use of energy consumption and environmental impact as criteria in the process of
awarding contracts.

Best practices for planning and design
Even though ICT is continually changing and technology evolving, you can implement rules and
best practices that can be used for ICT projects.
Organisations can foster ways in which staff must follow best practices, for example:
• purchasing efficient hardware (such as servers)
• selecting products and services that are environmentally friendly or that have green
credentials
• designing infrastructures that support sustainable principles
• seeking solutions that reduce carbon consumption
• using more efficient and greener network equipment
• implementing power usage strategies
• implementing strategies to support the reduction of large amounts of data from the network
• using virtualisation to reduce resources
• seeking alternative energy sources.
Organisational requirements could relate to how best practices are incorporated and
communicated, what hardware and software programs are used, project management tools and
techniques or sustainable resources that must be used.
ICTSUS603 Integrate sustainability in ICT planning and design projects Student Guide
ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
QIBA Pty Ltd | RTO Code: 5304 | SG | QV1.1 | © 2021 RTO Works Page 28
Advancements in technology can be incorporated into best practices. Some current technology
trends include:

Activity: Develop

Work in pairs, working together to undertake the following:
Develop a document that provides rules and best practices for developing a network
that is environmentally sustainable. Include:
• rules for planning and design for the ICT project
• sustainable best practices for the ICT project.
Provide examples and justification for each one identified.

Planning and design rules for ICT project.
Name of project:

Rules
Best practices
Example/justification

Use of AI, Machine Learning and data analytics for connectivity in cloud
technologies.
Smart and mobile device technologies removing the need for hardware
equipment and cabling.
Using 5G for energy efficient wireless connection.
Use of VR and AR, robotics and tactile communication.
ICTSUS603 Integrate sustainability in ICT planning and design projects Student Guide
ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
QIBA Pty Ltd | RTO Code: 5304 | SG | QV1.1 | © 2021 RTO Works Page 29
Topic 3: Reporting on integration of sustainability
In this final topic we cover some completion activities for integrating sustainability. This includes
reporting on energy usage, estimating savings, comparing emissions against benchmarks and
providing recommendations for costings for integration of sustainability.

Activity: Read and discuss

Firstly, read the following article from Sustainability Victoria on reducing energy use
for a business.
Website: https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/energy-efficiency-and-reducing
emissions/in-a-business
• What are three benefits of reducing energy consumption for a business?
• What tools can be used to monitor energy usage?
• Do you think the cost of integrating sustainability outweigh the benefits?
Your trainer/assessor will facilitate a discussion after you have completed the activity.

Energy usage reporting

ICT systems make up a large proportion of CO2 emissions.

Activity: Read

The following article explains CO2 emissions.
Website: https://www.carbontrust.com/resources/guides/carbon-footprinting-and
reporting/carbon-footprinting/
Take any notes to summarise what you have read and keep for future reference.

You may need to provide a detailed report that identifies energy usage within the scope of the
project (for example it could relate to an upgrade of equipment to reduce energy bills). It is
important that it addresses the project KPIs, benchmarks and standards.
For example, you may be looking at power consumption. The actual power consumption will vary,
for example a desktop uses an average of 200W/hour. If it was on for 8 hours a day it would use
600kWh, emitting 175kg of CO2 per year, compared to a laptop which uses between 50 and 100
W/hr.
ICTSUS603 Integrate sustainability in ICT planning and design projects Student Guide
ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
QIBA Pty Ltd | RTO Code: 5304 | SG | QV1.1 | © 2021 RTO Works Page 30
Estimating CO2 emissions for a computer can be calculated using the annual energy usage (kWh)
and greenhouse emissions calculations (kg x kWh).
• Collect accurate data on the wattage use per hour of the computer.
(This could be done using software applications such as Microsoft Joulemeter that measure a
computer’s power usage over time. Alternatively, an electricity usage monitor could be
attached to the computer.)
• Once the wattage usage has been recorded over a period of time, this is then multiplied to
determine the annual energy usage and then multiplied by the emissions factor (kgCO2e) for
the state or territory resided. This final figure is then the computer’s C02 emissions in tonne for
the year.

Activity: Read

See the Equipment Energy Efficiency Proposed energy performance standards for
computers.
Website: https://ris.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/posts/2013/06/energy-performance
standards-and-energy-labelling-for-computer-monitors-RIS.pdf
See the EPA website for a list of legislation and guidelines for compliance.
Website: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/licensing-and-regulation/legislation-and
compliance
Write down the key takeaways and keep the links for future reference.

Image by Thomas Millot on Unsplash
ICTSUS603 Integrate sustainability in ICT planning and design projects Student Guide
ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
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You can see that when writing a report on this type of information it can end up being quite
detailed. There would probably be a number of other documents and printed reports from software
programs that you would also need to incorporate, for example utility bills or reports from resource
usage.
You would need to write the report in a format that is easily understood so that you can present the
information to diverse audience and to write reports in a clearly structured manner, with headings,
consistent formatting and using graphs and visual representation of data where appropriate.
See the following article for tips on writing reports.
Activity: Read
Writing technical reports.
Website: https://medium.com/technical-writing-is-easy/how-to-write-technical-reporte935210002c9
Structuring reports.
Website: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newcs_95.htm
Write down the key takeaways and keep the links for future reference.
Savings and payback periods
Hardware and equipment can account for up to 65% of office energy use with approximately 2-3%
of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, similar to the aviation industry.
Servers can represent a significant proportion of energy usage, consuming 35-50 times the amount
of energy that a small office space would use. Again, contributing to the CO2 emissions.
There are several potential savings that can be made for reducing energy consumption.
Hardware and equipment:
• Using cloud services.
• Implementing virtualisation.
• Switching off devices when not in use.
• Consolidation of hardware.
• Encouraging employees to bring in their own devices.
• Reducing purchases.
• Recycling.
• Using power management devices and software.
• Turning off lights.
• Setting air conditioning units to a timer.
ICTSUS603 Integrate sustainability in ICT planning and design projects Student Guide
ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
QIBA Pty Ltd | RTO Code: 5304 | SG | QV1.1 | © 2021 RTO Works Page 32
Servers:
• Ensuring the right ventilation and cooling systems are being used efficiently.
• Reviewing the power supply and back up hardware are energy efficient.
• Identifying processes such as data storage and applications are not duplicated or can use
virtualisation software to maximise utilisation.
• Outsourcing to an off-site centre.
You must record all these savings so that you can:
1. Provide an idea of the potential savings by using the recommended sustainability solutions.
2. Demonstrate the outgoing costs and how this will equate in terms of long term savings.
3. Illustrate the savings made after the solutions are implemented.

The payback period is the time taken for the outlaid costs to be paid back in savings or
increased earnings. For an ICT project, it is the cost of implementing a new or updated system,
minus the extra income or reduced expenses that can be attributed to that system. It is often
measured in a timeframe that spans months or years.

Comparing payback periods and amounts have to be taken into account when the cost of a project
is at the early stages. The project’s cost can be looked at as a length of time rather than the initial
cost. For example, implementing a new system that costs $20,000, but reduces costs by $10,000 is
said to have a payback period of 2 years.

Activity: Read

Visit the following website which provides an example of how to calculate Payback
period.
Website:
https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/modeling/payback-period/
Take any notes to summarise what you have read and keep for future reference.

Activity: Develop

Using a spreadsheet, illustrate how you can estimate potential energy savings for
power consumption for a small office.
Demonstrate a payback period for a solution (for example purchasing virtualisation
software, training and support, hardware versus the payback period).
Submit to your trainer/assessor for feedback.

ICTSUS603 Integrate sustainability in ICT planning and design projects Student Guide
ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
QIBA Pty Ltd | RTO Code: 5304 | SG | QV1.1 | © 2021 RTO Works Page 33
Comparing benchmarks
Remember we talked about benchmarks? Now we can use those industry benchmarks to estimate
and compare emissions for projects.
The benchmarks provide an idea of what can be expected compared with the actual result.
Estimations on carbon dioxide emissions provide a way of showing improvements and also to
demonstrate how well an organisation is performing against industry expectations.

The opportunity for reducing your own footprint either at home or in the workplace will help
reduce the emissions that are contributing to climate change. This can include using:
• energy star certified equipment
• responsible purchasing practices
• e-waste disposal
• best energy efficient practices.

There are a range of tools, guides, standards, methodologies, hardware and software that can be
used to measure carbon footprints. As a general process:
• Define the purpose and objectives.
• Define the assets of all IT equipment and their use.
• Estimate the usage of all ICT equipment (for example three desktops are being used 8 hours a
day),
• Calculate the energy usage for each piece of equipment being used (ie CO2 emissions for
example).
• Compare results and form conclusions.
• Make recommendations.
• Develop future benchmarks, create KPIs.
• Create an action plan for reviewing future measurements.

Activity: Research

Find out the current industry benchmarks that you could use for estimating and
comparing carbon dioxide emissions for one ICT project (for example desktop
computers).
Refer to the article that you read on calculating CO2 emissions, also using the
internet, research different methods that you can use to explain and calculate carbon
dioxide emissions (relating to ICT).
1. Calculate your computer carbon emissions online:
https://ffits.org/92-calculate-your-computer-carbon-emissions/

2. Discuss your results.
3. Using a spreadsheet, estimate CO2 emissions using the inbuilt formulas for a
small office (you could base it on your RTO facility).
4. Present in a document, including the industry benchmarks and the method that
you used to calculate the carbon dioxide emissions.
Ensure that you provide a conclusion.
Your trainer/assessor will facilitate a discussion after you have completed the activity.

Recommendations
In the final step of the process for integrating sustainability in ICT planning and design projects, you
will need to prioritise recommendations (based on the importance placed by the organisation’s
goals and objectives). The solution may be an immediate need such as an upgrade to equipment
or the installation of next generation networks.
This should be accompanied by estimates of implementation costs. This could include:
• hardware
• software
• devices and equipment
• installation, support and warrantee
• third party costs
• consultancy costs
• training and support for staff
• resources required for overall project (for example time required for configuring equipment).
You may need to show a cost benefit analysis, a forecast of savings or provide a list of costs for
purchase and installation of sustainability solutions. It could also include information relating to:
• targets and how these will be met
• projections for improved efficiencies
• current industry benchmarks
• potential energy savings.
Reports are usually a good way to present this type of information as it can be clearly structured
and provide visual representations of figures and data.
ICTSUS603 Integrate sustainability in ICT planning and design projects Student Guide
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Activity: Develop

Work in groups for this project. Divide the work equally and allocate and plan your
time appropriately.
You are to write a report on the energy usage for at least four computers at your
RTO or workplace (this could be in the room where your class is delivered, the
learning centre or library resource centre or an IT lab). Your report should include:
• a list of devices being evaluated
• an overview of current practices (you will need to consult with the ICT
department or supervisor in charge of the room)
• an estimate of CO2 emissions being consumed for one year. This should be
based on the number of computers, how long they are left on, any power
management tools used.
The following website could be used for calculations:
https://www.energuide.be/en/questions-answers/how-much-power-does-a-computer
use-and-how-much-co2-does-that-represent/54/
• Compare the estimate to current sustainability standards and practices.
• Include a list of potential energy savings that could be made, with an outline
plan of action and payback periods for recommended actions.
• Develop feasible recommendations in order of priority with estimates of how
much it would cost to implement. Include capacity requirements, plan budgetary
and workforce needs using a spreadsheet to calculate costs.
The report should be professionally presented and include:
• a title page
• relevant headings
• links to sources of information
• the name of all the group members.
Your report should be written in clear and concise English and address the needs of
the audience (for example the report could be for a panel of key decision makers).
Present a summary of the strategy, benefits and recommendations to your
trainer/assessor. Use effective listening and questioning techniques to confirm
understanding and gain feedback.
Present your summary to your trainer/assessor using appropriate verbal and non
verbal communication skills.
Submit your report to your assessor trainer/assessor for feedback.