Net zero is an encapsulating phrase that brings together a range of technologies and initiatives to reduce the anthropogenic effects on the global climate caused by the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
The term net zero means achieving a balance between the carbon emitted into the atmosphere, and the carbon removed from it. This balance – or net zero – will happen when the amount of carbon we add to the atmosphere is no more than the amount removed.
To reach net zero, emissions from homes, transport, agriculture and industry will need to be cut. In other words, these sectors will have to reduce the amount of carbon they put into the atmosphere. But in some areas, potentially including IT, it will be too complex or expensive to cut emissions altogether.
These ‘residual’ emissions will need to be removed from the atmosphere: either by changing how we use our land so it can absorb more carbon dioxide, or by being extracted directly through technologies known as carbon capture, usage and storage.
The role of the cyber sector
How can the cyber security sector support the UK to achieve net zero? The products sold are in the main software and data related. They run on proprietary kit manufactured by large global vendors. There seems very little opportunity for direct reduction in carbon output.
Cyber security products, however, like all IT, are large consumers of electricity. The sector is therefore a contributor to the world’s carbon load.
Perhaps the biggest impact we could have is to understand the carbon cost of cyber security better and work with CyberNorth members to reduce its contribution to the carbon load. This has the potential to make an enormous impact as long as the balance is retained between energy and security.
Proposal
The assumption behind this proposal is that cyber security products are designed around effectiveness to protect their clients and not necessarily around energy efficiency. Energy efficiency may not be part of the procurement decision making process in a way that decisions around domestic white goods or motor vehicles are made for example.
The belief is that there are potential commercial opportunities from an investigation into this postulation such as:
- Tools that analyse the relative energy consumption of each product
- Systems design to minimise carbon output
- An energy consumption rating
- Etc.
Before considering commercial opportunities further some initial research is required to underpin any product development.
Such research would include (not exhaustive):
- An assessment of current products on the market
- An understanding of available energy consumption data
- An overview of net zero activity in the cyber sector
- Any similar or related initiatives.