Businesses, government agencies, and non-profits who advocate green, sustainable, or environmentally responsible behavior are most credible when practicing what they preach. Cultural factors, including perceived entitlements, can be barriers. Here are some examples, courtesy of Computerworld, of organizations which used Green ICT tactics to align their internal behavior with their external message.

"For decades, [AEC company Perkins+Will Inc.]'s devotion to what it calls 'sustainability' was driven by its clients' desires for workspaces that were kind to the senses as well as efficient in their use of power and water. But there wasn't a comprehensive green program for internal functions, says CIO Richard Nitzsche. . . . Developed a Green Operations Plan focused on office energy use that encompasses six areas: transportation, office water use, office energy use, office consumables, indoor air quality, and office renovations and new construction."[1]

Snohomish County Public Utility District "officials realized that just as important as the utility's environmental conservation efforts was the need to set an example for the community . . . With the big picture in mind, the PUD cleaned its own house first with tactical steps to reduce energy use. Desktop operations quickly emerged as the area most likely to yield the highest savings." [2]

It's easier urge others to change when we've overcome cultural resistance in our own organizations. "[S]ome resistance to green initiatives is to be expected, [Wellpoint's Mark Boxer] says. 'A lot of the improvements are about removing entitlements,' he says. 'Does everyone need a printer in their office? Does everyone need to travel to meetings? Moving away from these mind-sets requires very senior sponsorship.'  Frank Gens, an analyst at IDC in Framingham, Mass., says IT must have support from the business units to overcome user resistance. 'It's hard for IT to drive that kind of cultural change on its own,' he says. 'That's a losing hand for the CIO.'" [3]

[1] Read Computerworld's P+W case study for the full story.
[2] Read Computerworld's PUD case study for the full story.
[3] Read Computerworld's Wellpoint case study for the full story.