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• 78% of tech companies have plans to become carbon neutral, with 39% saying they will be by the end of 2022

• Some 48% have employee incentives to encourage them to reduce their commute and travel

• 55% of organisations have a dedicated internal resource responsible for sustainability

• Techies Go Green reaches 180 members and aims to grow to 300 signatories by the end of the year

DataSolutions, the specialist distributor of innovative IT and security solutions and co-founder of Techies Go Green, today announces the results of recent research which found that while the majority of tech companies have plans to either reduce their carbon emissions or become carbon neutral, a large proportion have not yet measured their footprint.

The study* involved signatories of Techies Go Green – a collective of IT organisations committed to becoming more sustainable – found that 82% have firm plans to reduce their carbon emissions and 78% have plans to become carbon neutral.

In fact, 39% of respondents said they will be carbon neutral by the end of 2022 and a further 43% expect to be by 2025. However, almost two thirds (65%) have not yet measured their carbon footprint.

Companies starting to take the right steps to GO GREEN

Despite the fact that a large proportion have not yet measured their carbon footprint, the research did find that companies are taking steps to be greener. 88% currently recycle the e-waste they produce and three quarters (75%) of IT leaders would consider buying refurbished IT equipment.

Some 48% of respondents have employee incentives to encourage them to reduce their commute and travel, and over half (51%) are using a green energy provider. Of the 49% that don’t currently use a green energy provider, 77% would consider changing to same.

Furthermore, 59% of tech companies have an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy in place and 55% have a dedicated internal resource responsible for sustainability.

Techies Go Green reaches 180 members

The findings come as Techies Go Green, co-established by DataSolutions, reaches 180 members. The movement, which will be celebrating its one-year anniversary next month, aims to increase its membership to 300 signatories by the end of 2022.

Michael O’Hara, Group Managing Director of DataSolutions and Co-Founder of Techies Go Green, said: “Sustainability is undoubtedly a crucial focus for IT leaders in 2022 and our research demonstrates its ever-growing importance in the world of business. But while organisations are starting to recognise and realise how crucial going green is, this appreciation needs to translate into consistent action.

“It is certainly positive to see companies review and reassess how they operate – for example, the use of green energy providers among Techies Go Green signatories increased 14% compared to six months previously. And it’s even more encouraging to see that dedicated resources are being put in place to progress sustainability efforts.

“Taking such practical steps is the key to turning the aim of carbon neutrality into a reality. However, companies need to look at the bigger picture and understand where they are starting from in order to identify the changes which will help to bring about widespread change. It is only through education and collaboration, enabled by communities like Techies Go Green, that we can hope to have a real and lasting impact on the global battle against climate change.”

Philip McMichael, founder and CEO of Vyta, a Techies Goes Green signatory, said: “Real, exciting change is happening across the technology sector in Ireland and the UK. Our largest enterprises are joining forces on a mission that is not only the right thing to do, but is something that creates more opportunities for them as businesses, too. At Vyta, we are first-hand witnesses of this. We are helping companies to take simple steps, such as recycling old IT equipment or purchasing high-spec refurbished IT assets, to get them on the road to carbon neutrality.

About the study

The survey involved 58 signatories of Techies Go Green and was conducted between November 2021 and January 2022

The next step? Join Techies Go Green. 

Techies Go Green was launched in March 2021, as a movement of IT and tech-oriented companies who are committed to decarbonising their businesses and making them green and verifiably sustainable. The group already has in excess of 170 signatories.

If you want to learn more about sustainability and what your company can do to become more sustainable, consider joining Techies Go Green. Techies Go Green is a movement dedicated to decarbonising IT and tech-oriented companies through collaborating and sharing knowledge. Membership is open to both companies and individuals within the UK and Ireland. We would love to have you join and to help you in your journey towards sustainability and decarbonisation.