Member Article

Softcat unveils industry-leading sustainability commitments

Leading IT infrastructure solutions provider, Softcat have announced an industry-leading sustainability agenda to drive positive change within its organisation and the wider IT industry.

The tech industry has an important role to play in reversing climate change, but it continues to be a major contributor through rising electricity demands, e-waste and emissions from manufacturing.

In response to this pressing issue, Softcat is leading the way in embedding sustainability into its operations in line with science-based targets, working hard to drive and develop a more efficient and reduced carbon organization and IT industry.

Over the last few years, the company have been recognised for their notable achievements, such as achieving their commitment to become carbon neutral, a year ahead of schedule in 2021 and becoming the only FTSE 250 company to commit to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and receive a 5-star rating.

In addition, they have reduced Co2 emissions by 37 percent over the past five years while growing revenue and expanding their workforce, removed 2.5 tons of paper waste by adopting innovative print solutions and run their HQ in Marlow Buckinghamshire exclusively off renewable energy.

Moving forwards, the company will leverage key partnerships - including with the UN and Tech UK - to build on these important achievements and continue on its sustainability journey, working towards expanding their carbon neutral commitment to its full supply chain and customer solutions by 2040.

Softcat has pledged to migrate to using renewable energy across all of its office locations - in addition to its Marlow HQ - by 2024. This ambition will help to reduce the company’s greenhouse gas emissions, in line with the science-backed goals set in the Paris Agreement.

As part of this effort, they will continue to reduce business travel, upgrade its pool car fleet to electric battery vehicles, and offer more flexible working options to help reduce staff commuting.

By 2040, the organisation aims to achieve a carbon net zero supply chain inclusive of all its suppliers and partners.

Softcat will achieve this goal by carrying out a full supply chain review including all vendors, suppliers and partners; lead environmental workshops, prioritise reduced carbon logistics options, eliminate single use plastics and launch its own sustainability awards to encourage and reward best practice in the industry. The company also plans to introduce a sustainability scoring system for the IT solutions and services it offers customers to boost awareness and promote positive choices among its communities.

Alastair Wynn, Operations Director at Softcat, commented: “Social Responsibility isn’t a particular programme, it should be what we do every day, maximising positive impact and minimising negative impact. We want to be known as an organisation that allies socially responsible actions with successful business operations to benefit people, deliver sustainable performance and protect the planet for future generations.

“We can drive this change within our own organisation, working with our partners and our supply chain, as well as supporting customers on their socially responsible journey through the technology we provide.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sofcat .