The UK Government has suggested that businesses in the UK move to adopt cloud tech to cut carbon footprints and curb emissions.

In a bid to fight the fast acceleration of climate change, firms currently still using in-house tech to store data should consider making vast changes and moving systems off-premises.

As part of their suggestions, the BEIS has released a series of steps that firms can take to reduce carbon release and push firms to start thinking about emissions.

Through a new Business Climate Hub, the BEIS is tasking British businesses to cut their carbon footprint in half by 2030 and to reach ‘net zero’ by 2050.

In the long-term, BEIS said the move could “make a real difference” towards protecting the planet, helping customers, and reduce business running costs.

As well as moving to a cloud-based model, BEIS also suggested firms calculate the energy and carbon footprint they create, run their businesses with “energy efficiency in mind” and think more clearly about the purchasing of future technology.

With the date for the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow approaching, the UK Government sees now as the perfect time to begin boosting climate considerations.

Commenting on the new initiative, BEIS said: “No matter how small your business or what industry you’re in, your commitment could make a real difference – to the planet, to your customers, and to your running costs!

“Even the smallest businesses produce carbon emissions – it could be through your building, your vehicles, or your supply chain. We’re asking you to take the first step on your journey, by committing to cutting those carbon emissions in half by 2030 and to reach ‘net zero’ by 2050.”

Globally, companies have already started taking their carbon footprints into consideration. In January, public cloud providers and colocation joined forces with trade associations to commit to climate-neutral data centres by 2030.

Recommended

• Are businesses doing enough to tackle climate change?
• Edinburgh University completes first cloud migration in Scotland
• Reform needed to make purpose-driven business the “new normal”

Firms in Scotland are also taking up the climate change fight, with firms such as Pawprint, QuickBlock, providing services that help to curb carbon emissions.

In January last year, six Scottish companies, including Topolytics and Space Intelligence, gained £170,000 in funding from the Can Do Innovation Challenge Fund to create AI-enabled tech to help combat carbon.

Projects include developing more efficient food supply chains, a waste and resources map to highlight recycling opportunities, and AI-based thermal imaging services to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.