Information and Communications Technology (ICT) firm T-Systems has joined ‘49M’, a South African energy efficiency campaign targeted at the nation’s approximately 50 million people.

The partnership agreement was signed today, 6 November 2012, at T-Systems’ Smart Energy Conference in Johannesburg.

49M is an Eskom initiative, endorsed by government and business partners such as T-Systems, which urges all South Africans to reduce their current energy consumption by at least 10%, by changing the way they use electricity.

The initiative plans to drive energy savings as a national culture, following severe blackouts that almost brought the country’s economy to its knees in 2008.

“Sustainability is one of T-Systems’ core beliefs internationally, and a big part of creating a sustainable future is reducing energy consumption through smart, efficient and green IT practices and technologies,” said Gert Schoonbee, managing director of T-Systems in South Africa.

“At T-Systems we believe that considering ICT solutions from an environmental perspective can deliver a host of benefits. By harnessing energy-efficient hardware and software, organisations can cut carbon emissions, save electricity costs and make business processes more cost effective and eco-friendly, helping local businesses to work towards achieving the 49M goal,” Schoonbee added.

Pieter Pretorius, 49M project manager and senior manager, strategic marketing at Eskom, added: “Saving energy is about changing attitudes and committing to small changes in everyday life, together, we can make a big difference.”

Pretorius urged individuals and businesses to undertake a personal journey towards a sustainable future.

Since its launch a year ago 49M has signed over 60 partners who have pledged their support to the campaign. More than 14% of these partners are corporate companies listed in the JSE. 49M also has the support of the country’s top ten environmental non-government organisations.

“The ICT industry is a significant consumer of electricity. By working towards reducing our carbon footprint, and by helping our customers to do the same, we will be able to make a positive impact on climate change, while simultaneously reducing costs and improving efficiency. We are proud to be a part of this campaign,” Schoonbee conclude.