ITIL in the Service of Sustainability – Interview with Laurent Louboutin

In this interview, Laurent Louboutin, ITIL expert and trainer, shares his perspective on how the ITIL framework can become a valuable ally for companies aiming to adopt a sustainable development approach. From resource optimisation to eco-friendly practices, discover how ITIL can help reduce organisations’ environmental footprint.

Could you briefly explain how ITIL integrates into current discussions on sustainable development?

Sustainable development is often perceived as a vague, long-term goal. The accepted definition is from the 1987 Brundtland Report, which states that sustainable development is: “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs!”.

The ITIL definition is much more precise and is fully in line with the sustainable transformation we are currently experiencing, which can be likened to that of the digital revolution embodied by DevOps and which is still ongoing: “a business approach focused on the creation of long-term value for society and other stakeholders, taking into account the threats and opportunities associated with economic, environmental and social change”.

This definition emphasises the importance of integrating sustainability into business strategies, ensuring that organisations not only meet current needs but also contribute positively to the environment and society, thereby securing long-term value for all stakeholders.

The ITIL Service Value System (SVS), which guides the creation of value for customers and other stakeholders, offers an ideal framework to integrate sustainability principles. Furthermore, ITIL aligns IT practices with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in this way ITIL offers a dedicated and universal framework for organisations that allows them to actively participate in this sustainable transformation, while measuring the progress made.

One of the key concepts to remember is that of the Triple Bottom Line (TBL), which is based on three pillars: economic growth, environmental management and social progress. In IT, this means that we are not only interested in profit, but also in the impact we have on the planet and on people (education, access to technology, etc.). From reducing energy used in data centers to sourcing IT equipment responsibly, IT departments have an important role to play in sustainability.

What are the main areas of environmental impact that IT organisations face today?

There are many impacts. First, there is the high energy consumption of data centers, particularly to power servers and cooling systems.

Second, carbon emissions from the use of fossil fuels are a concern. Then, the management of electronic waste remains a major challenge, as many devices become obsolete quickly. We must not forget the consumption of water for cooling and the extraction of natural resources, such as rare metals, to manufacture computer equipment.

What are the main challenges faced by companies wishing to combine ITIL with sustainability objectives?

There are many challenges. For example, the initial investment in energy-efficient infrastructure is often high, which can deter some companies.

In addition, many organisations lack expertise in sustainability and need to train their teams. Old energy-intensive infrastructures also make the transition to more efficient systems more difficult.

There is also the difficulty of accurately measuring environmental impact and tracking progress.

Finally, regulatory compliance, particularly in Europe, adds another layer of complexity. For example, the Green Pact for Europe imposes strict standards on carbon emissions and encourages transparency in environmental reporting. Companies must therefore adapt to these requirements while pursuing their sustainability objectives.

How can ITIL be used to optimise resources and reduce the carbon footprint of IT systems?

ITIL proposes several strategies. Firstly, it advocates automation and virtualisation to reduce the number of physical servers required.

Secondly, ITIL recommends the use of cloud computing, which optimises the management of energy resources by efficiently sharing infrastructure, thereby reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. For example, shared data centres allow resources to be pooled, reducing the need for additional hardware. ITIL also includes Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor carbon emissions and promote preventative maintenance to extend the life of equipment. This can include practices such as replacing defective components instead of replacing the whole equipment and adopting software upgrades to maintain performance without the need for new hardware.

What best practices from ITIL can help companies adopt an environmentally responsible approach?

ITIL focuses on continual improvement, which encourages the reduction of material waste and the optimisation of processes. It also recommends rigorous capacity planning to avoid over-allocation of resources. In addition, ITIL recommends the implementation of recycling programmes for electronic equipment and the automation of processes to reduce energy consumption.

Service design practice also plays a key role by integrating sustainable practices right from the design phase. This includes selecting energy-efficient technologies, adopting modular architectures to facilitate maintenance and upgrades, and optimising workflows to minimise environmental impact throughout the service lifecycle.

What tools or technologies would you recommend to better measure and manage the environmental impact of IT services?

I would recommend reporting and analytical tools such as Microsoft Power BI and Tableau to monitor energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. IT asset management (ITAM) solutions such as ServiceNow and SolarWinds are also valuable for tracking equipment usage.

In addition, infrastructure management software such as VMware vSphere and renewable energy cloud platforms such as Azure and AWS can help optimise operations and reduce environmental impact.

In addition, innovative technologies such as those of Qarnot Computing, which uses heat from processors to heat buildings, illustrate sustainable approaches. Microsoft in Finland recycles waste heat from its data centres to heat up to 100,000 homes. Similarly, the Stockholm Data Parks project aims to recover 10% of the city’s heating needs using waste heat from data centres by 2035. Finally, Google is exploring the use of a nuclear power plant to power its data centres, thereby reducing their dependence on fossil fuels.

What do you see as the future trends in the integration of ITIL and sustainable development?

A number of trends are emerging. We are seeing a growing adoption of renewable energy in data centres and a move towards green cloud services. The circular economy is also gaining momentum, with the reuse of equipment and the integration of recycled materials. The example of Daisy, a robot developed by Apple to dismantle and recycle components from iPhones, thereby reducing electronic waste and enabling valuable materials to be reused, is an interesting example of what is increasingly being done in the IT industry.
Finally, advances in artificial intelligence and automation mean that the use of resources can be further optimised. Ecological standards such as ISO 14001 are also becoming increasingly popular.

What advice would you give to organisations wishing to adopt a sustainable IT strategy while following ITIL principles?

Firstly, I would recommend starting with an environmental audit to measure current impact. Next, it’s important to define clear objectives aligned with the SDGs and use KPIs to monitor progress. Infrastructures need to be gradually modernised, teams need to be trained in sustainable practices and responsible suppliers need to be used. Finally, it is essential to adopt ITIL tools to continuously measure and optimise carbon footprint and environmental performance.

The publication “ITIL® 4: Sustainability in Digital and IT” and the certification “ITIL® 4 Specialist: Sustainability in Digital and IT” provide an excellent starting point for organisations wishing to enhance their sustainability skills and address digital challenges.