Tobi's Take on NCP's Sustainability Journey

Episode 8: Sustainability in IT: Protecting the Planet is at the Heart of What We Do. 

Hi, everyone!

If the first episodes of Tobi’s Take on sustainability were just the beginning, now we're getting to the heart of the matter. Today, we're focusing on the "E" in ESG. Remember what it stands for? ESG stands for Environment, Social, and Governance, the pillars of our comprehensive sustainability strategy. Both environmental responsibility and sustainable IT practices are key focus areas for us at NCP.

Sustainability in IT: Why It Matters 

Initially, when thinking of environmental protection, my mind went to manufacturing sectors. However, IT companies like NCP also have a tangible impact. Our industry contributes to CO₂ emissions through office operations, data centers, and business travel, categorized as Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions:

Scope 1: Direct emissions from our activities, like heating and company vehicles.

Scope 2: Indirect emissions from the energy we purchase.

Scope 3: Other indirect emissions, including supply chain, travel, and waste disposal.

IT companies are pivotal in environmental sustainability. At NCP, we're dedicated to identifying and mitigating our emissions. Let's explore some actions we're taking.

Our Environmental Initiatives

We’ve made our IT infrastructure more sustainable and energy-efficient, following a Green IT approach — by prioritizing energy-efficient hardware and responsible reuse or recycling of devices. Furthermore, we're reducing server energy consumption with efficient cooling and electricity use.

Does NCP have even more commitments? YES, we do! For example, sustainable mobility: We offer electric car and e-bike leasing, charging stations, and support for eco-friendly travel options. Flexible work arrangements and virtual meetings reduce our travel needs and carbon footprint.

We’ve also embarked on environmental projects like reforesting a company forest. While I can't detail every initiative here, these examples highlight our efforts to lessen NCP's environmental impact. We're always aiming to improve, committed to making a difference and fulfilling our environmental responsibilities.

Looking Ahead: Green Coding and Our CO₂ Footprint

In order to reduce our environmental impact, we’re currently developing NCP’s first carbon footprint report. This assessment will pinpoint improvement areas and shape our sustainability strategy.

"Green Coding" is another focus — creating software that’s energy-efficient, resource-conscious, and aligned with sustainable software development principles.

I hope this episode has offered a glimpse into our environmental initiatives and future plans. I'd love to hear your thoughts or suggestions. Feel free to share in the comments.

See you next time!

Best,

Tobi