The right use of video conferencing and collaboration tools are the best alternative to costly physical travel. Video conferencing is a “green” technology that allows your business to reduce energy use by eliminating the need for motor and air transportation. It results insubstantial savings and cuts down your carbon footprint at the same time.
While video conferencing has eco-friendly credentials, its use is not yet as widespread as most people assume. This is because not all companies are open to trying new communication methods that challenges old ways. Successful use of video conferencing, however, can provide a usable alternative for conducting different kinds of meetings.
Here’s how it can support environmental initiatives:
The Green Tools
Communicating over video requires simple web tools that enable face-to-face meeting or a software solution that allows wider meetings from the desktop. It may also require high tech telecommunication solutions that provide a quality immersive experience.
Many audio-visual collaboration equipment and tools enable conferences and other content to be streamed live or on demand. You and your staff can use them to engage, interact, and communicate with colleagues or business partners in distant locations at any time.
Reducing Carbon Emissions
There’s more to videoconferencing than saving money on trips. It can green your business by reducing the need to use the company’s air conditioner, heating, or lighting. The unspent energy translates into reduced emissions, which lowers the amount of greenhouse gases that pollutes the atmosphere.
A report from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) says that this technology may help reduce carbon emissions by 5.5 million metric tons by the year 2020. This is equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions from over one million passenger vehicles.
Videoconferencing and other tools pave the way for more flexible collaboration, including efficiency and time saving. Reports go as far as to say that it can help firms achieve annual net financial benefits amounting to over $3.5 billion in 2020. This makes video conferencing a substantial investment that can benefit your business in different ways.