The Handbook of Research on Green ICT: Technology, Business and Social Perspectives is the outcome of various debates, discussions, investigations and actions into a vital topic of today – Information and Communications Technology (ICT) -based business activities and the environment. This handbook draws on thoughts, insights, research, experiences and scholarly understanding of authors – both researchers and practitioners - from across the world and presents them as well organized, refereed and edited chapters.

While profitability has been the underlying driver for most businesses activities thus far, now there is a crucial angle to this profitability – and that is of sustainability. The United Nation’s Climate Change Conference held at Copenhagen, Denmark, on 7-18th December, 2009 made an attempt to focus the attention of politicians, business leaders, technocrats and administrators over climate. However, the discussions did not result in agreements that the world expected. Perhaps the Global Financial Crisis was partially responsible for the impasse – short agendas often win out against long term agendas. The chasm between the demands of the environment and the demands of business is wide open. However, the correlation between the environment and financial stability and the prosperity of business organizations has been well underscored by Sir Nicholas Stern in his Stern Report. As a result, many businesses have embarked on programs to reduce greenhouse emissions emanating from ICT. Thus, the best way to approach the environmental responsibilities of business is to map it to the efficiency and effectiveness of business. One can’t possibly bring the environmental debate into the crosshairs of a CEO unless it demonstrates corresponding business benefits.