With sustainability at or near the top of the agenda for many businesses, reducing carbon emissions is a priority. However, in some industries, there is only so much that carbon production can be reduced by, and this is where carbon offsetting comes in.
With sustainability becoming an increasingly important concern for manufacturers, resellers and customers alike – especially considering government carbon targets – many are looking to reduce their carbon emissions or offset them.
“Most businesses will have set sustainability goals to reach, as prospective customers and partners are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of the products they buy and are more likely to work with companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability,” says Arjan Paulussen, managing director, UK, Western Europe & English-Speaking Africa, at Lexmark.
“Partners and resellers that can offer valuable solutions through carbon-neutral products and initiatives that aim to reduce wastage and lower emissions have an opportunity to enhance brand reputation while attracting more customers.”
Popular offering
Arjan adds that carbon offsetting programs are an increasingly common offering from service providers. “It is something we have been proud of providing Lexmark customers for many years,” he says. “We help customers by providing certified Carbon Neutral devices, ensuring the full lifecycle impact of the products is measured, reduced and compensated for with carbon credits from high-quality, independently verified projects.”
He adds that much carbon offsetting can be achieved through preventative measures that reduce the business’s carbon emissions and waste from the offset. “Employing more efficient technology processes can significantly reduce a business’ environmental impact,” he explains. “In print, this looks like utilising energy-efficient hardware that is durable and built to continue working through a long lifespan, using technology to create processes that aim to reduce waste, such as paper wastage and working with partners and manufacturers that are serious about their commitment to sustainability.
“At Lexmark, we design with the environment in mind. It starts with devices that are intentionally engineered to last longer, so fewer raw materials and less energy are needed to produce and distribute devices to the market. This also keeps devices in the field longer than recycling old devices and manufacturing new ones.
“Additionally, Lexmark leads the way in recycling and reusing materials through the Lexmark Cartridge Collection Programme, which recovers millions of used cartridges each year that are either reused or recycled. Incorporating post-consumer recycled materials in our hardware helps reduce the consumption of new natural resources and the amount of waste in landfills.”
Working with partners
Meanwhile, Exertis aims to decarbonise its operations to net zero by 2050 or sooner and by 50% against a 2019 baseline, by 2030. The company believes that enabling a transition to a low-carbon future becomes easier by working with partners to bring new technologies and products to market.
As part of Exertis’ sustainability journey, the company encourages the vendors it works with to make necessary changes to benefit the environment. By partnering with vendors with established sustainability messaging, it ensures that all meet their sustainability goals, while all working towards creating a greener future for everyone.
Importance of data
Data should also play a role in carbon reduction, adds Harena Saini, environment and quality manager at Ricoh UK. She says Ricoh UK is increasingly seeing customers requiring reporting on ESG (environment, social and government) as part of their wider corporate responsibility agenda. “While each business has a different approach in terms of targets and goals, it’s clear that ESG credentials are an important part of generating new business and the tender process,” she says. “This is where data comes into play.
“Recoding and having access to reliable data is vital for manufacturers and resellers alike. From outlining the sustainability credentials of products and services to the effectiveness of environmental policies and leading authority to new business proposals.
“Ensuring the ability to provide and meet ESG requirements can be the difference in a competitive marketplace.
“While carbon offsetting is a good thing, it’s not enough on its own. Companies need to embed carbon reduction across all areas of the business with authenticity or run the potential risk of being accused of green washing – something which is very much in the public consciousness.”
Take time
But while carbon offsetting is becoming more important, for those looking to start doing it, it must be done with care and forethought, Harena notes. “There are plenty of schemes out there that businesses can join, but it’s important to take time to research which scheme aligns most closely with your business,” she says. “To do this, you must first understand what your needs are and what is best for your ESG objectives.
“Offsetting can sometimes seem like an easy fix for sustainability goals but can often focus on ‘symptoms’ rather than cause.
“As with any measure of success, carbon offsetting should always be done in conjunction with as many other key metrics as possible. This prevents the ‘silo-ing’ of results and helps to paint a ‘full picture’ of sustainability efforts. Offsetting can be through carbon avoidance credits – projects such as forest preservation orders or new forestry planting – but longer-term plans and goals need to transition towards carbon removal credits, such as technological solutions to remove carbon and store in the longer-term.
“Essentially, organisations should try to stay in line with the Oxford Offsetting Principles. This includes a continued focus on reducing carbon emissions should be first and foremost, then utilising carbon offset to negate the unavoidable residual carbon emissions.”
Future
Harena adds that carbon offsetting has a role to play in the future. “But this will be in conjunction with other carbon reduction efforts embedded within ESG programs, which will likely become prerequisites for doing business.
“While not the ‘silver bullet’ for sustainability targets, offsetting is here to stay – for the time being at least – as part of sustainability strategies.
“We always recommend that our clients invest as much time as they can in conducting due diligence into their offsetting partner. With so many credits available and the market flooded with potential partners, there is a risk in buying credits that have already been bought or funding a project that is not what it seems to be. Sustainability, therefore, must be treated in the same way as any other business priority or goal.”