PRINTITRESELLER.UK 39 VOX POP continued... There’s no getting away from the fact that climate change is among the most pressing problems facing businesses today. The UK has a legally binding net zero by 2050 target and achieving this will require businesses to make real changes and to turn climate targets into action. Here, some of the print and IT sector’s leading vendors share their sustainability strategies and the progress they’ve made in reducing GHG emissions The race to net zero: part one Steve Hawkins, CEO, Xeretec: Xeretec is an ISO 14001 EMS certified organisation, and we understand the importance of the changing climate and strong environmental management. We are witnessing a generational shift in our society and the ever-growing concern of the population is impacting all aspects of life. We recognise that to be both relevant now, and in the future, and to make our positive contribution to our environment, we have to go beyond a series of one-off actions and create an ever-improving journey that lies at the heart of our planning and execution. To this end we have selected a board member to own environmental improvement in the business and to build and deliver our strategy and path to a net zero position. We are doing quite a lot to put this front and centre of our organisation, and what we deliver for our customers, but we also recognise, probably similar to many mid-market sized entities, that we all need to do more. Having this focus at board level, together with a senior owner is key to a successful outcome. Recognising where you are today and making changes to bring good thoughts into daily actions we believe, is essential. Across our business, we have worked hard to reduce many elements with negative impacts and associated greenhouse emissions in recent years and continue to do so. Our focus includes energy and resource efficiency, waste prevention, sustainable travel and supply chain engagement. Some of our staff have also elected to replace fossil fuel vehicles with electric ones. We have deployed cloud telephony across all our offices to ensure our customers have greater access to us whilst facilitating remote working. This flexibility yields commuting carbon footprint reduction and lowers heat and light requirements in offices. As a provider of technology and services we have put environmental sustainability at the heart of our organisation’s DNA, and an intrinsic part of our customer value proposition. This is evidenced across every technology pillar on our new web presence and in every document overview and customer engagement. Our focus is to demonstrate how we and our partner network can help customers lower their carbon footprint. We give them defined, quantifiable and tangible improvement results and metrics in five key areas as part of our solutions offerings – environmental, cost, risk, experience and productivity. For us to deliver on our commitments we expect our chosen technology and supply chain partners to show they can offer value and differentiation in these areas. To encourage extending the life of useful technology, especially in the field of tablets, phones, laptops and PCs, we operate a ‘device-as-a-service’ model that encourages a known refresh cycle (normally three years) for a subsidised per month rate. This provides a supply of maintained technology available for second life use without the need for manufacturers to mine and build other new technology for these second life customers. This is commonly known as circular computing. PrintIT Reseller: What are the main objectives and targets of your sustainability strategy, and what progress have you made to date in meeting your goals? Steve Hawkins Recognising where you are today and making changes to bring good thoughts into daily actions we believe, is essential
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