Concerned about the environment and energy savings? Become a green IT consultant and start the hunt for waste in companies. Energy consumption, reduction of digital waste, optimization of equipment, eco-design of digital services, the positions concerned are numerous.
Responsible for reducing the ecological footprint of a company, an administration or a local authority, the green IT consultant is an expert in renewable energies and eco-responsible digital technology. Thanks to his action, he will be able to reduce the cenergy consumption of a company, promote the eco-design of new software and applications, buy more responsible equipment, extend the life of computer equipment, or even rationalize the use of printers and photocopiers in a department. The green IT consultant will provide companies with tools and methodologies so that they can reduce their ecological footprint, generated in part by their information systems.
After having made a diagnosis of the existing situation, the green IT consultant will set up eco-responsible processes, in particular by drawing up dashboards and indicators in order to follow the evolution of the set objectives. In addition to his work to raise awareness and even train his customers or users, the green IT consultant will also be able to help the company to comply with the legislation in force or to deploy software to help sustainable development for example, to measure the carbon impact of a service or supplier.
How to become a green IT consultant?
A minimum bac + 5 level diploma is generally required to practice the profession of green IT consultant although there is not yet any training really dedicated to this profession:
- Engineering degree from EPITA ;
- Engineering degree from ESME Sudria – Energy and environment course;
- Master of Science Optimization & Sustainable Energies, IONIS-STM;
- Master in Engineering and Management of the Environment and Sustainable Development, University of Technology of Troyes;
- Master in management of PME-PMI, Management and sustainable development course, Le Mans University;
- Specialized Master in Manager of the environment and energy eco-efficiency, INSA Lyon;
- Master in thermal energy, University of South Brittany;
- Master in computer science with a green IT specialty;
- The IT departments of UTC, Centrale Lyon and Nantes and their awareness courses on these subjects.
The main skills and qualities to have
The profession of green IT consultant calls for several skills and qualities:
- have extensive knowledge of sustainable development and renewable energies ;
- master the IT environment and cloud solutions;
- know how to work in project mode;
- listen to customer needs;
- have very good communication;
- be a good teacher;
- demonstrate insight;
- be organized ;
- knowing how to impose one’s convictions and decisions;
- conduct an active watch.
Work conditions
The green IT consultant works on behalf of a client company or internally. He must show listening and adaptability. He masters project management and offers solutions in accordance with customer needs. His working hours are standard office hours.
The salary of a green IT consultant
The salary of a green IT consultant can be very variable, as the job is also very different from one company to another and from one sector of activity to another. As a beginner, a green IT consultant earns between 2,600 and 3,500 euros gross per month. After a few years of experience, his remuneration can be between 3,000 and 4,000 euros gross. As a senior consultant, his salary can reach 4,500 euros gross per month.
The development prospects of a green IT consultant
A green IT consultant can progress to a position of director of sustainable development, director of sustainable development strategy, or even director of information systems. Eventually, he may also decide to create his own consulting company.
Companies that employ green IT consultants
- ESN
- local authorities
- public or private companies
- administration
- consulting firm
Three questions for Hélène Levrault, CEO of Verdikt
Futura: In the era of big data and hyperconnectivity, how can we reconcile the digitization of data and eco-responsibility within a single company?
Hélène Levrault: It all starts with awareness. A few years ago, no IT manager cared about the ecological impact of their digital technology. Thanks to several studies and new regulations, this impact is now known to all. The criteria for launching new projects are not only financial but also ecological. It is important to understand that the green IT or responsible digital is not intended to abolish new technologies but rather to make reasoned choices, taking into account the induced negative impacts and advocating a sobriety approach. Do we really need to store terabytes of data, can’t we design such an application differently so that it consumes less energy? These are the types of questions that all digital professions must now face: developers, architects, directors.
Futura: Green IT training does not yet really exist as such. How has your training at EPITA helped you in your professional career?
Hélène Levrault: The training of new generations is fundamental on these subjects. The bill that has just been adopted by the National Assembly now makes the training of computer engineers in the ecodesign of digital services compulsory. My training atEPITA allowed me both to master the technological complexity and then to take a step back and understand the impact of these new technologies in business. The intensity and the multiplicity of projects at EPITA train us, if need be, to manage projects, to learn and to know how to adapt. In a constantly evolving sector like digital, these skills are key.
Futura: As part of its Recovery Plan, the State has committed several billion euros for the digital transition of the country, and in particular 300 million euros to encourage green tech. What will be the role of the green IT consultant in this responsible innovation process?
Hélène Levrault: The ecological transition cannot be done without the whole ecosystem. This is one of the guiding principles of the recovery plan: supporting both the transition of large companies having to rethink their products and services responsibly and the creation of start-ups, a real source of external innovation to accelerate this transition. Green IT consultants will have the heavy task of supporting IT directors in this transition to a responsible digital : assess the ecological impact of digital technology, define an ambitious strategy, eco-design future applications, control the volume of data, rationalize infrastructures, train employees, … and to do so, identify innovative solutions from green-tech start-ups allowing you to take a step ahead!
Article written in collaboration with Ionis Group.
My job explained to my mother
By Hélène Levrault, General Manager of Verdikt:
Green IT or responsible digital means thinking about digital in the 21st centurye century. Industries must initiate a profound transformation to meet the challenges of sustainable development and comply with the Paris agreements. This also applies to digital technology which pollutes today more than civil aviation!
New technologies can provide incredible solutions to fight against global warming, reduce inequalities, support the circular economy … but are not without side effects (depletion of scarce resources, ethical problems with theartificial intelligence, child labor, etc.).
The role of consultants or greentech start-ups like Verdikt is to assess these positive and negative impacts and allow companies to make the right decisions to reconcile digital and ecology.
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