All workshop participants made their own Green IT pledges.

What does IT have to do with the environment? 

Quite a lot, it turns out. As Guardian staff were guided from the mountains of e-waste springing up in developing countries and the legions of obsolete data breeding quietly on energy-hungry servers, this became increasingly obvious.

When it comes to saving energy, IT tends to be seen as part of the solution. iPads stop us printing, video-conferencing stops us flying and the smart electricity grid would not be possible without complex technology. That’s the line the industry is keen to promote. The Smart 2020 Report says that by contributing to the development of low-carbon technology, the IT sector can enable almost 8m tonnes worth of CO₂ reductions by 2020.

When it comes to saving energy, IT tends to be seen as part of the solution, but the industry's emissions are expected to rise rapidly

The latest available figures suggest IT accounts for only 2% of global emissions – roughly equivalent to the aviation industry – but this figure is expected to rise rapidly.

Most IT companies are making efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce waste, and you can check their ranking in the Greenpeace guide to greener electronics.

You can also see how specific products perform by looking for Energy Star or EPEAT accreditation, though at present this does not appear on packaging labelling.

But while some companies are improving, we should remember that we – the users – are also responsible. So here’s what you can do with your own IT:

• Extend the life of IT equipment rather than buying new gear (but after six years the energy efficiency will be so poor that it’s better to upgrade).
• Switch off your computer and peripherals at night, and kill vampire power by unplugging devices that are not in use.
• Set your computer to sleep after 15 minutes of inactivity.
• Never bin your equipment. Look for take-back schemes (all manufacturers have them) or check with your local council.

The Green IT session was designed and run by Anderson Brown as part of Sustainability Week and covered green IT for consumers, but also what GNM is doing as a company from printing to energy management and waste electronics. It is one of the ways GNM is including employees in its commitment to the 10:10 campaign. To find out more please contact claire.buckley@guardian.co.uk.