IBM has come to the conclusion that going green is necessary to profitability. The company has found that greener business practices reduce energy costs as well as help them meet the needs of clients with stricter corporate sustainability requirements.

Last year, IBM implemented Project Big Green. The company committed to increasing energy efficiency in their many data centers. IBM is now adding an additional $1 billion to that commitment. Other projects include finding alternative energy sources, sharing cleantech patents and improving the efficiency of their products.

Many large corporations have struggled with the idea that green is good for business. The fact that IBM has managed to implement so many green initiatives speaks well of the company’s staff. Furthermore, IBM’s industrial clout is impressive. Not only will their example help other businesses to clean up their practices, but IBM’s commitments will help companies’ sustainability efforts by providing cleaner products. IBM’s clients may wind up going green through no intention of their own — but will get better products, such as IBM’s new modular data center. IBM has put together the most environmentally friendly data center ever designed, which can be dropped off at a client’s site and instantly reduce data center energy costs by up to 50 percent.

Photo courtesy IBM