SA ICT industry signs green pact

South Australian ICT peak body Technology Industry Association (TIA) and the state's Premier Mike Rann have signed an agreement which aims to reduce carbon emissions from the electronics and ICT industry.

The South Australian ICT electronics and ICT sector had revenues of over $7.5 billion per annum and employed over 30,000 people, according to TIA president Peter Charlesworth.

The State Government will provide resources — including the provision of eco-efficiency training modules and information materials, assistance with resource audits and data collection, provision of tailored in-house support and mentoring — to five electronic businesses as a trial to demonstrate the commercial benefit in reducing greenhouse emissions.

The TIA also hoped that its members would begin to report their actions even though they weren't large polluters and therefore weren't forced to legally, especially since OSCAR (the government's reporting system) had been developed by a South Australian business.

"The TIA will recommend a program and template for member organisations to adopt energy and greenhouse gas reporting," TIA CEO Steve Adcock said. "We will also work closely with the State Government to inform members about greenhouse gas emissions."

"The TIA is ideally poised to lead its business sector with the adoption of efficient and sustainable business practices and tools including the realisation of market opportunities for new products and services that address emissions reduction and climate change adaptation."

A steering committee will be formed consisting of TIA's existing Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee and government representatives.