IT and datacentre managers will increasingly be held accountable for the amount of energy their departments use, and could soon be incentivised to deliver cuts in energy use, according to a major new report on the emergence of "Eco-efficient IT".

The 152-page report from analyst firm The 451 Group assesses the market for green IT over the next five years and concludes that having received an "eco black eye" for its perceived role as a primary contributor to global warming, the sector is now widely committed to limiting its environmental impact and cutting its energy use.

The report includes a survey of over 1,000 IT chiefs that reveals that while only a fifth currently consider energy conservation as a factor in purchasing decisions, almost half believe that concern over energy use will have an impact on their spending within the next year. It also notes that a market is growing to meet this expected demand, assessing the recently established green credentials of 19 key suppliers, including Cisco, Dell, HP, IBM and Microsoft.

Report author Andrew Lawrence argues that the interest in green IT presents an opportunity for IT managers to extend their influence into other areas of the business. "Because of the importance and the power of IT, The 451 Group believes innovative CIOs have an opportunity to be involved in energy management beyond traditional IT, and to take a leadership role," the report argues.

Such a transition will be made possible by the enviably strong financial case that can be made for investments in energy efficient IT, the report claims.

"Most energy-saving programs in IT will pay for themselves," the report predicts. "[While] other strategies for reducing an organisation’s CO2 footprint will carry a cost (such as the use of carbon offsets or renewable energy), energy management and reduction will prove more important and relevant to most businesses."