Green Web Hosting : Environmental Policy

Austiger Hosting has made a commitment to "go green" and in doing so we won't be passing the costs of our "greening process" on to our web hosting clients.  It is our goal to ensure that in providing services to our customers our net impact on the environment is positive.

• Why we have done it?
• What we have done?
• What does this mean to you as a client?
• What can you do?

Why have we done it?

Austiger management and staff recognise that the IT industry in general and in particular hosting enviroments contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emission due to high electricity consumption. We've decided to do something positive about our contribution to the environment!

As a company, we decided that we should undertake the program on our own behalf rather than cynically trying to pass the costs on to you indirectly or to ask you to "opt in" to pay a fee.  So be happy, as we are, that the costs for our carbon neutrality is coming straight from our profit margin not from your pockets!  We won't be asking you to contribute, if you feel you want to, then implement a similar program in your own business and we'll all be winners!

What have we done?

• Our offices and Lambton Datacentre are now using PureEnergy, a GreenPower accredited option provided by Energy Australia
• Our Sydney Datacentre rackspaces' power consumption is now 100% offset with the purchase of carbon credits through Choice Magazine's highly rated offset provider,  Climate Positive
• We've completed a whole of company vehicle replacement program that involved the purchase of fuel efficient vehicles as a high priority decision factor. It is anticipated our fuel consumption will be reduced by 50% this year and we will offset unavoidable annual vehicle carbon emissions with Climate Positive.
• We've implemented waste reduction strategies including the minimisation of paper and other waste resulting from our business activities.
• Recycling and the use of recycled resources where possible is now core to our corporate culture.
• We've implemented strategies to reduce our energy consumption in our offices that include engaging our staff in programs and activities that involve turning off equipment and lighting not required for use and only leaving on critical equipment in and out of business hours. We are measuring the results of this and have seen more than a 25% reduction in our weekly electricity consumption.
• Where possible we utilise teleconferencing and electronic contact mediums for client contact to minimise the use of vehicles and flights.  All flights will be offset directly with the airline or via Climate Positive where direct offset is not possible. Please keep that in mind when you want to meet with us!
• We are aggressively implementing a virtualisation program in our Sydney datacentre that will produce significant reductions in space and power consumption and at the same time increase the already high level of redundancy that our hosting environment provides.
• Energy efficiency and the supplier's/manufacturer's credentials and environment efforts are now a key part of the decision process relating to hardware, asset and other purchases.

What does this mean to you?

Generally, if you are looking at your own business' environmental impact you don't need to account for anything to do with services we provide to you, we've already done it and at NO additional cost to you!

Clients can enjoy the fact that the hosting of their website and the support services we provide are carbon neutral as can AusTiger's clients in both our Lambton and Sydney Datacentres. If your clients care about the environment, using us will look good for you!

If you have any ideas or suggestions that will assist us in our efforts, particulary as it may relate to dealing with you please feel free to contact us!

What can you do?

As part of our research we found some fantastic information on the impact climate change is having on the environment, what businesses can do to offset and reduce their emissions and also what you can do personally to reduce your environmental footprint.

Have a look at some of the links below to find out more!

• See how to help the environment in every room of your house with the Choice Interactive Home.

• Check out the WWF - Australia's Footprint Calculator so see your ecological impact on the earth.

• Visit the 1 Million Women Campaign to join other Australian women in reducing carbon emissions.

• For more information on climate change in Australia visit the Department of Climate Change website.

 If you find any other great links that you think should be added please contact us!