Search engine giant Google and US semiconductor firm Intel have thrown their weight behind a massive scheme to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
The ambitious plan sets out an industry-wide target to cut the amount of energy computers consume by 2010.

The scheme is expected to cut emissions by 54 million tonnes a year - equal to 11 million cars or 20 coal-fired power plants, company officials say.

Hewlett-Packard, Dell and Microsoft have all signed up to the campaign.

Computers and other IT equipment have been blamed for causing as much global warming as the airline industry.

"We think we can have huge savings in terms of carbon footprint and energy costs," said Pat Gelsinger, senior vice president for Intel's digital enterprise group.

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