"We need to provide an accelerator or driver to get things going," Winter said. "I have four kids and know that if we don't do something, they won't have as good a life as I did."
Winters compared Computers Off to the longstanding Australian-made initiative. Organisations who wish to participate will purchase a membership license which entitles them to display the Computers Off logo and information within their own company material. Computers Off will also list member organisations on its website.
The organisation's website also includes information and Web links to free software tools which companies can use to calculate their energy efficiency, as well as information on reporting and related industry and environmental news.
In order to participate, businesses must have a power management policy or be in the development stages of creating one, and have to provide a letter of commitment to greening their IT. Sulaiman said Computers Now would have the right to audit organisations to ensure they adhered to its code of practice.
Winters said several large corporates had already expressed interest in participating in the Computers Off program and it had received pledges for financial support from the corporate community as well as the channel.
Winter hoped Computers Off would expand out of its local roots and become globally recognised. The organisation currently has two directors on its board - Robin Ackerman and Tom Worthington - and is looking to appoint an additional 6-8 board members. It also plans to create an advisory board of IT and non-IT professionals to assist with developing new ideas, and establish an office in Canberra in the next six months.
"We're hoping that IT can not only reduce its footprint, but become an enabler in other areas," Sulaiman said.