16 June 2007 – In a move that could potentially cut greenhouse gas emissions in an amount equal to removing more than 11 million cars from the road -- a significant step in reducing the emissions affecting our planet -- Intel Corporation and Google have collaborated with Dell, EDS, the Environmental Protection Agency, HP, IBM, Lenovo, Microsoft, Pacific Gas and Electric, World Wildlife Fund, and more than a dozen additional organisations announcing their intent to form the Climate Savers Computing Initiative.

The goal of the new broad-based environmental effort is to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by setting aggressive new targets for energy-efficient computers and components, and promoting the adoption of energy-efficient computers and power management tools worldwide.

Meanwhile, Wipro Infotech, the $3-billion IT bellwether, has rolled out an eco-friendly range of desktops and laptops that aim at reducing the e-waste in the environment. The new range of products, christened Wipro GreenWare, is compliant with norms for restriction of hazardous substances.

"Today, the average desktop PC wastes nearly half of its power, and the average server wastes one-third of its power," said Urs Holzle, senior vice president, operations, Google Inc. "The Climate Savers Computing Initiative is setting a new 90 per cent efficiency target for power supplies, which if achieved, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 54 million tons per year -- and save more than $5.5 billion in energy costs."

"We are asking businesses and individuals throughout the world to join with us to institute better power management of their computing equipment and purchase energy-efficient computers," Holzle added.

Initial companies who intend to participate in the initiative represent both the demand and supply side of the computer industry, including computer manufacturers and chip makers, as well as environmental groups, energy companies, retailers, government agencies and more. The group will formalise its membership in coming weeks.

"Computers have helped us make huge strides toward a more efficient world today, with reduced travel, more productivity, online transactions and more. But with today’s latest energy-efficient technologies, we can do even more. The commitment of the member companies that are here with us today is a firm statement to the collective resolve to make an enormous impact," said Pat Gelsinger, senior vice president and general manager, digital enterprise group, Intel.

Computer and computer component manufacturers who support the initiative are committed to building energy-efficient products that meet or surpass the EPA’s Energy Star guidelines. Businesses must also commit to requiring high-efficiency systems for the majority of their corporate desktop PCs and volume server purchases, and to deploy and use power management tools on desktop PCs.

Individual consumers can also support the Climate Savers Computing Initiative by signing up at www.climatesaverscomputing.org, where they will be able to pledge to purchase an initiative-certified system. The website will also help consumers learn how to take advantage of their existing computer’s power-saving capabilities such as sleep and hibernate modes, which can reduce the amount of energy consumed by up to 60 per cent.

"This is the first time our Climate Savers programme has been applied to an entire sector, engaging manufacturers, retailers and consumers," said John Donoghue, senior vice president, WWF. "We are pleased to join these industry leaders to provide solutions to address climate change."