18 The Green and Virtual Data Center
Green initiatives need to be seen in a different light, as business
enablers as opposed to ecological cost centers. For example, many local
utilities and state energy or environmentally concerned organizations are
providing funding, grants, loans, or other incentives to improve energy
efficiency. Some of these programs can help offset the costs of doing busi-
ness and going green. Instead of being seen as the cost to go green, by
addressing efficiency, the by-products are economic as well as ecological.
Put a different way, a company can spend carbon credits to offset its envi-
ronmental impact, similar to paying a fine for noncompliance, or it can
achieve efficiency and obtain incentives. There are many solutions and ...