Top level IT decision makers are placing 'green' business IT as a priority for future strategy, according to new research.

A survey of 245 chief information officers and IT managers found over 75 per cent considered eco-friendly computing important, with 15 per cent rating it as a top priority.

The findings, from Datamonitor, claim that business IT organisations are faced with decreasing budgets and increasing infrastructure budgets leading to an interest in efficient 'green' IT.

In comments made to Itpro.co.uk, Vamshi Mokshagundam, Datamonitor technology analyst, said: "They are beginning to identify what eco-friendly opportunities within their own IT strategies can deliver significant cost savings, increased flexibility in managing IT resources and compliance with environmental regulations."

In related news, it is estimated that three million computers are decommissioned in the UK every year and despite the fact they cannot be put in landfills some claim it is a waste of resources.

Computer Aid, a charity which ships between 2,000 and 3,000 computers to the developing world every month, told computerweekly.com that refurbished computers which are sent abroad "enjoy on average another 6,000 user hours".

A recent Connect survey found that the two major concerns about outsourcing services like IT support were 'loss of control' (56 per cent) and 'budget over-runs' (43 per cent).