For several months now, in almost all our presentations/recommendations, we’ve been adding an ecological and carbon footprint component to the devices. Multiplying server redundancy to avoid a potential risk has not only a cost, but also an ecological footprint.
Did you know that if IT were a country, it would rank 3rd in terms of energy consumption?
That’s why we’re increasingly using this site to measure the footprint of a digital device in our recommendations: https://www.websitecarbon.com/
It’s a fascinating subject, and one that has the virtue of bringing together all digital stakeholders, because we’re all concerned by ecology.
In this regard, we’d like to give our client Frédéric Mauriange, CEO of Régie Portage, the opportunity to share his views on other areas of new forms of employment and teleworking:
BECOMING AN IT FREELANCER IS GREEN!
Because of the distances involved, the IT consultant’s model is hardly in line with today’s environmental requirements.
The IT consultant: a very poor carbon footprint
Generally speaking, an IT consultant carries out his assignments on the customer’s premises. This means they travel a long way from home every day to get to the customer’s premises. When the customer’s head office is far from the consultant’s home, the carbon footprint of the service must take this pollution into account.
The other black spots in the IT sector’s carbon footprint are business engineers’ travel and the electricity consumed by IT activities.
Becoming an IT freelancer is environmentally friendly
By becoming a Freelance, the IT consultant is no longer subject only to the assignments proposed by his or her employer. Freelance IT consultants choose their assignments with the various ESNs so that they correspond to their skills (technology) and are close to home. In addition to the favorable carbon footprint, this also saves travel time.
IT consultants and working from home
Another way to embrace your green values is to work from home. But only if the project and the customer allow it! To obtain this authorization, you need to be methodical, patient and self-sacrificing. The first step is to obtain the customer’s authorization in principle during the assignment negotiation phase. The more you obtain the customer’s agreement, the better the pill will go down.
To start working from home, you then need to find objective elements of control that inspire the customer’s confidence. For example, I’d like to have done these 3 procedures by telecommuting next Tuesday, but if I take longer, I won’t be charged. The customer is reassured because he can compare the status of the project before and after the teleworking day.
An easy solution for IT freelancers
Because of their experience and expertise, IT freelancers find it easier to obtain these kinds of benefits. IT freelancing is a real plus, as you can obtain a telecommuting allowance that is exempt from taxes and social security contributions.