Discover how to improve sustainability practices in information technology with a green IT certification. Explore five certification options and IT careers that can benefit from them. Visit for more information LEED Green Associate exam course

Green information technology (IT), sometimes referred to as green computing, is a practice of IT that focuses on the sustainable management, manufacture, and disposal of computing products. Computers, servers, and chips use lots of energy and require many raw materials to produce, so green IT practices look to minimize energy usage while maximizing a productâ??s life span.Â

Learn more about green IT, why it's important to introduce sustainability into IT, and some certifications you can earn to develop new skills in sustainable practices.Â

The estimated global share of carbon emissions from the internet and communication technology (ICT) sector ranges from 1.5 to 4 percent . Fortunately, you can help combat climate change while working in information technology (IT) with a green IT certification.Â

With the expected increased use of artificial intelligence (AI), the strain on the energy grid grows with the increase in data centers needed to train AI modelsâ??especially since constructing a new data center takes two to three years while adding electric infrastructure takes four or more years . By earning a green IT certification, you can become part of the solution by learning how to create energy-efficient hardware, infrastructure, and energy production for the IT sector.

One of the first green IT standards was the Energy Star certification program created by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help businesses protect the environment while remaining profitable . While a formal list of green IT standards doesnâ??t exist, some principles that businesses are developing include:

Creating monitoring and sustainability tools to measure power consumption, power usage effectiveness (PUE), and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

Examining the entire logistics chain to learn about the carbon emissions of their providers and opting for eco-friendly partnersÂ

Setting a series of sustainable goals and protocols, meaning IT companies need to monitor, partner with an environmental agency or group, and set aggressive PUE goalsÂ

Recycling, reusing, or refurbishing old electronics to prevent e-waste and using a certified vendor from the EPA when itâ??s necessary to dispose of used electronics

Green IT certification gives you formal training in sustainability practices when it comes to computers, technology, and data centers. Itâ??s important to note that you can encourage sustainability practices in your business or data center without certification, but it can give you the skills to understand its importance, the complex processes in place, and how you can make an impact.Â

While not directly a green IT certification, one certification to consider is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) credential. These certifications showcase your skills and understanding of green building practices, energy use, and design. A popular first choice is the LEED Green Associate, which measures your basic knowledge of green building principles. The exam has 100 multiple-choice questions and costs $250 .Â

Cost: Contact the provider for more information .

The Green Computing Training from Technology and Management Training Courses and Seminars (TONEX) helps you gain skills in developing energy-efficient software and hardware, and minimizing energy use while maintaining computing performance. Topics covered include green computing principles, techniques for developing energy-efficient hardware and software, and how to assess the environmental impact of information technology.Â

The Green IT Professional certification from the International Federation of Global and Green Information Communication Technology (IFGICT) demonstrates your skills in green IT. It focuses on reducing the environmental impact of IT while driving sustainable building practices. The course helps you learn skills in strategies, lifecycle