FINAL WORD

Why going greener matters more than ever

Reducing carbon emissions is not just the right thing to do for the planet – it makes sense commercially too, says Kontel’s JEFF MAY

e all recognise urgent W action needs to be taken to help protect the planet and Konftel is proud to have strengthened its sustainability ethos by securing climate neutral status for three consecutive years.

We became the first in the unified communications industry to become officially certified, demonstrating that all our greenhouse gas emissions have been offset by credits, in order to support various projects around the world. To achieve the standard, Konftel had to complete a comprehensive process comprising: ● Measuring our 2021 greenhouse gas emissions footprint ● Purchasing verified carbon credits to offset that footprint ● Implementing plans to reduce emissions during 2022 and beyond.

Together with other brands we have so far measured and offset 783,768 tonnes of carbon, and we are determined to do even more. For example, we will cut the use of polythene bags in our product boxes for conference ‘phones and cameras by 50% by 2023. For cables and other small parts that are today shipped in poly bags, we will either shift to biodegradable bags or, if possible, exclude the bags completely.

In addition, we aim to increase the renewable energy ratio by 10% at our main contract manufacturer’s facilities by 2023; we will also dramatically reduce car commuting of staff compared to pre-pandemic levels. By promoting a hybrid workstyle, with flexibility in work location, staff will not be required to commute to corporate offices to the same extent as before.

WHAT IS A CARBON CREDIT? A carbon credit is a standard unit which represents carbon emission reductions. One credit equals one tCO2e (tCO2e stands for tonnes (t) of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent (e)). Carbon credits are generated through a variety of projects and technologies, ranging from re-forestation initiatives that naturally suck up CO2, to micro-grid solar projects which substitute fossil fuel-based energy production with reliable, clean sources of energy that don’t emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

WHAT IS THE ‘CLIMATE NEUTRAL’ ORGANISATION? Climate Neutral is an independent, nonprofit certification body. If selected carefully, carbon credits provide real climate benefits by increasing removal of carbon from the atmosphere and speeding the transition to zero carbon energy sources. Climate Neutral’s carbon credit standards are written to guide brands in the offsetting process, and reflect the input of a group of independent external advisors.

We believe every company should be climate neutral and invest in our planet. It’s about measuring, offsetting and reducing emissions to help the world become netzero by 2050.

WORLDWIDE PROJECTS SUPPORTED Investing in worldwide carbon credits means that forest conservation, renewable energy and carbon capture technologies all benefit. Forest conservation in Zimbabwe, water filtration in Cambodia, renewable energy in India, clean electricity in Indonesia, reducing landfill gas in the USA and providing clean cook stoves in Mali are some of the projects supported by Konftel so far. New projects this year include improved forest management in the US, solar and wind energy in China, biomass in India and reforestation in Costa Rica.

We find that our customers, partners and people really care about all of this. We have put it at the heart of our business because it’s the right thing to do: the right thing from a commercial perspective, and also from an environmental and ethical perspective.

Jeff May

UK sales director at conferencing specialist Konftel