Who would’ve thought the fight to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions would end up as the economic engine firing up the bottom line for computer manufacturers and their customers?

Well, it’s happened, though of course it’s not for everybody — certainly not for facilities relying on fossil fuels.

But a very rosy scenario — a $277 billion market — is predicted in a new market forecast by Pike Research for green telecommunications equipment.

Most of this new demand is for green equipment that can cut users’ energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, especially in developing nations.  It’s this combination that will drive a 46% increase in the market for green telecom gear by 2013, according to Pike’s Green Telecom Networks report.

Green networking infrastructure is increasingly already sought after by manufacturers and companies with overseas operations for two reasons. First, green equipment helps companies meet their corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies.

Second, energy efficiencies have very practical applications in developing countries that have spotty electrical service and rely on older and dirtier coal-fired power plants. To reduce GHG emissions, energy-efficient networking equipment could be powered by renewable sources: solar photovoltaic systems, wind, energy and fuel cells.

And in remote areas, telecommunications gear powered by solar and wind energy will replace diesel-powered electrical generators.

To get help measuring the efficiency of networking products, the telecom and tech industries created the Energy Consumption Rating Initiative. Click here to check it out.

Tags: energy efficiency, GHG emissions, Green IT, networking, Pike Research, solar, wind