Carbon Reduction Policy

Carbon Reduction Policy

Introduction

As an IT company based in the North East of England, Protech recognises the critical importance of reducing our carbon footprint and contributing to global efforts in combating climate change. This policy outlines our commitment to reducing carbon emissions across our operations, aligning with local, national, and international sustainability goals.

Objectives

· Reduce Carbon Emissions: Achieve a measurable reduction in carbon emissions year-on-year across all areas of our business operations.

· Energy Efficiency: Optimise energy use in our offices, and IT infrastructure to minimize carbon output.

· Sustainable Practices: Integrate sustainability into our business practices, from procurement to waste management.

· Awareness and Engagement: Foster a culture of environmental responsibility among our employees, clients, and stakeholders.

Key Commitments

1. Energy Efficiency and Management

o Conduct regular energy audits to identify and implement energy-saving measures.

o Transition to renewable energy sources where possible, prioritizing green energy providers.

o Implement energy-efficient technologies, such as LED lighting and energy-saving power modes on devices.

o Utilises virtual servers and cloud computing solutions to reduce physical server requirements and energy consumption.

2. Sustainable IT Practices

o Opt for energy-efficient hardware and devices, certified by relevant energy standards (e.g., ENERGY STAR).

o Extend the lifecycle of IT equipment through repair, refurbishment, and reuse before considering recycling or disposal.

o Adopt sustainable software development practices, emphasising code efficiency and minimal resource consumption.

o Reduce the need for physical travel by utilising remote collaboration tools, video conferencing, and other digital solutions.

3. Waste Reduction and Recycling

o Implement a robust e-waste management system, ensuring responsible disposal and recycling of IT equipment through certified e-waste recyclers.

o Promote digital documentation to reduce paper use, and enforce double-sided printing and recycling where paper use is unavoidable.

o Set up recycling stations in the office for materials such as paper, plastics, and batteries.

4. Carbon Offsetting

o Invest in local and global carbon offsetting initiatives to neutralise emissions that cannot be eliminated.

o Support and participate in reforestation and conservation projects within the North East of England and beyond.

5. Sustainable Procurement

o Source products and services from suppliers who demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability and carbon reduction.

o Prioritise local suppliers to reduce transportation emissions and support the local economy.

o Ensure that any outsourced services comply with our carbon reduction standards and policies.

6. Employee Engagement and Training

o Provide training and resources to all employees on best practices for energy conservation, sustainable IT usage, and reducing their carbon footprint.

o Encourage employee-led sustainability initiatives including signage throughout the building and reward contributions that lead to measurable carbon reductions.

o Involve employees in the development and ongoing improvement of our carbon reduction strategies.

7. Monitoring and Reporting

o Regularly monitor and measure our carbon emissions using recognized methodologies and report progress to stakeholders.

o Set annual targets for carbon reduction and review them in light of changing circumstances and advancements in technology.

o Publish an annual sustainability report outlining our progress, challenges, and future plans.

8. Community and Client Engagement

o Collaborate with local communities, businesses, and organizations in the North East of England to promote sustainability and share best practices.

o Offer clients sustainable IT solutions and advise them on how to reduce their own carbon footprints through technology.

Review and Continuous Improvement

This Carbon Reduction Policy will be reviewed annually to ensure its relevance and effectiveness. We will continually seek to improve our practices and adopt new technologies and methods to further reduce our carbon footprint.

 

Protech City Ltd Date: 31/07/2024

Signed: Ian Murphy CEO

 

This policy reflects our commitment to a sustainable future and our role as a responsible business in the North East of England. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on our environment and inspire others to do the same.