The Use of IT Solutions Offered in the Public Cloud to Reduce the City’s Carbon Footprint

Abstract

An important trend in today’s economy is to reduce the carbon footprint of organizations, businesses and households. Modern technologies, including ICT solutions, contribute to the reduction of CO2 production. The article focuses on the potential of using the cloud computing model in managing a modern and intelligent city. Modern city offices have an extensive IT infrastructure. With the emergence of new services provided online by the offices, the server infrastructure is also developing. Server rooms together with additional devices are characterized by high demand for electricity. Along with this, significant amounts of CO2 are produced. An alternative is the use of Cloud Computing solutions, which contribute to a significant reduction of the carbon footprint. The paper analyses potential solutions that can be used in city offices. The benefits and positive impact on the environment were highlighted. The empirical research was conducted based on questionnaires received from city offices. The results obtained indicate that city halls contribute significantly to the production of CO2. Moving IT services and solutions in whole or in part to cloud computing should be considered as one of the important elements of managing a smart and green city.

Keywords

• smart city
• cloud computing
• carbon footprint (CF)