The easiest way of knowing whether or not the company you're working for is properly implementing sustainable practices is by knowing something regarding sustainability yourself. GreenIT and Gatlin International worked together in order to create a comprehensive online training certification program on Sustainable Information and Communications Technology (ICT). The course itself provides the necessary knowledge for individuals to become Green IT certified. In the coming years, IT and ICT will be the driving forces shaping social, economic and political lifestyles worldwide, and thus increasing the need for Green IT certification.

However, is certification necessary or is it possible to gain the required knowledge throughout years of experience? How great of a benefit would it really provide to the individual?

I would say that it's necessary to be certified. There's no way of showing your knowledge any other way. Certifications (are supposed to) prove that you have been tested on what you know and that you've passed. Without a certificate, you have no proof.

I would add another element into this discussion: will companies voluntarily pursue this certification? Or will environmental regulations need to be strengthened further in order to encourage more companies to adopt greener IT practices? History shows that it's not until regulations or laws are enacted that businesses decide to go above and beyond them en masse.

Certification is important not only in providing proof of knowledge but also in creating a sense of trust between businesses and customers. This type of certification may be viewed as a unique advantage for now, but as Green IT continues to gain popularity and value across the globe, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it become a requirement in order for businesses to keep pace with the competition. Certification could be the deciding factor for other companies or customers when researching an organization they want to do business with. So not only does it mean increased knowledge, but it could also lead to furthered success.

Still, Rachel makes a good point in that stricter regulation may need to be enforced before companies really start to take such certification seriously. Though some may view it as a competitive advantage, others may lack the time and funds to support this goal. And certain organizations may prefer the convenience of what they know over making the transition to a greener business model. For example, although many people choose to bring reusable bags to the grocery store unprompted, there are still a noticeable amount of customers who will continue to use plastic bags until it is no longer an option.

But what better time to Go Green than now? Twenty to thirty years ago, the business world wasn’t showing very much concern over the environment. Sure, there may have been a need for clean air and water, people appreciated safe food and an unharmed ozone layer, but they weren’t thinking about transitioning to a Green lifestyle. Now, all of that has changed. People are well aware of how the environment is impacted in everything we do. And they want to make a difference—they’re willing to change the way they live in order to do so. If these are your future customers, then certification might be the way to go.