Protecting our environment

Over a decade ago, most countries joined an international treaty -- the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) -- to begin to consider what can be done to reduce global warming. More recently, a number of nations approved an addition to the treaty: the Kyoto Protocol, an international and legally binding agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, entered into force on 16 February 2005.

There is no doubt that we are having an impact on our environment but todays Visual communication tools can help reduce that footprint.

The WWF highlighted in its report "Saving the climate at the speed of light" a number of points. For years and even decades the potential for videoconferencing has been discussed. Today bandwidth is available, technology to ensure secure transmissions exists and prices make a commercial break through possible. An important trend that could enable a shift towards virtual meetings is the increasing number of companies having meeting departments instead of travel departments...

No one has made the direct link to investments in videoconferencing, addressing the needs of the environment. The WWF estimated that, existing videoconference solutions indicate that if 5 – 30% of business travel in Europe was substituted by videoconferencing, more than 5.59 – 33.53 million tonnes of CO2 emission a would be saved. For example, a 20% reduction of business travel could save 22 million tonnes of CO2 per annum in the EU.

It is time to stop opposing virtual meetings to physical meetings, both have a role to play. Look at the efficiency, cost, environmental improvements that new business models as well as these solutions can provide.

First Connections is working closely with its partners to provide the greenest solutions to our customers. Part of this is our drive toward offering our customers a ‘cradle to the grave’ solution that helps meet your sustainability targets.

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One of the most effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to reduce travel. On average, TANDBERG customers have found that telepresence and video conferencing reduce their need to travel by up to 30 percent, while improving their bottom line. www.seegreennow.com