10 Steps for Saas Companies
to Deliver on Decarbonization
Sustainability is increasingly becoming a non-negotiable
Although transitioning to digital services may seem like a greener option, data centers and transmission networks alone currently account for 3% of the world's electricity consumption, a figure expected to continuously rise. Thankfully we’ve seen some fantastic innovations in the data center sector, particularly in the Netherlands.
In 2017, the Dutch data center sector decided to offer its residual heat to the Dutch government free of charge and has even been classified as "renewable energy" since 2018.
Innovation & opportunities
Thankfully we’ve seen some fantastic innovations in the data center sector, particularly in the Netherlands. In 2017, the Dutch data center sector decided to offer its residual heat to the Dutch government free of charge and has even been classified as "renewable energy" since 2018. There’s even more exciting news: a consortium of Dutch companies and research centers will receive €70 million in funds over the next five years to develop more sustainable data centers. So now’s the time to start taking advantage of the progress made. Here are ten simple steps to deliver on decarbonization:
Here are 10 simple steps to become more sustainable as a saas solution provider:
1. Assess Your Carbon Footprint
2. Target Quick Wins
3. Establish Clear Policies
4. Shout Out About Your Goals
5. Prioritize Operational Efficiency
6. Stakeholder Engagement
7. Supplier Evaluation
8. Educational Initiatives
9. Incentivize Innovation
10. Embrace Resource Efficiency
As an effective strategy will depend on your company’s carbon footprint, start by completing an initial calculation in line with the GHG Protocol. Although the majority of emissions for most service companies are either in their utilities or supply chain, you should first make sure this rings true for your company.
1. Assess Your Carbon Footprint
A straightforward initial improvement is transitioning your facility's utilities to a renewable energy provider. Additionally, within your value chain you can pinpoint the areas where emissions are highest compared to the least amount of spend. These areas are often the easiest to address and reduce.
2. Target Quick Wins
Challenges such as reducing company travel might be tricky to achieve overnight. But this is where developing company policies comes into play: to help set agreed measures across the board.
3. Establish Clear Policies
Go on, don’t be shy! Consider signing up for an external validation, such as SBTI or other publicly announced targets. The more you spread the word about it, the more internal stakeholders will be motivated to stay true to your commitments. If you’re looking for specific recommendations, SBTI has released its ICT sector guidance which goes into detail.
4. Shout Out About Your Goals
If you currently operate on-premise servers consider switching to cloud or explore more energy-efficient hardware and repurposing thermal heat. You can also explore options like software optimization and green hosting. To assess your own website’s footprint, check out Website Carbon Calculator and Green Web Foundation’s directory for a wide variety of green host providers.
5. Prioritize Operational Efficiency
When making these decisions, engage with your internal and external stakeholders to build collaborative relationships. For this, rally C-level support, your CFO or even the CEO can be ideal champions to provide an executive sponsor for your messaging.
6. Stakeholder Engagement
7. Supplier Evaluation
If you’re starting from ground zero and met with a lot of confused faces, don’t worry! You can also guide your internal and external stakeholders in the right direction by hosting awareness-raising sessions such as the Digital Collage which help spark constructive conversations internally.
8. Educational Initiatives
Create incentives for your internal team and suppliers to spear innovation. Whether it’s a preferential price for the most energy-efficient supplier or internal recognition for the least amount of air travel in the workforce, incentives can go a long way to accelerate change.
9. Incentivize Innovation
Whenever stuck, remember one of the core principles of reducing emissions: resource efficiency! If it’s difficult to convince stakeholders, remember that it can lead to overall economic savings, which is a win-win for all!
10. Embrace Resource Efficiency
Joining Hands for a Sustainable Future
We invite you to reach out and explore how we can collaborate to enhance your company's sustainability journey. Whether you're looking to improve your CSR, ESG, LCA, or any aspect of corporate sustainability reporting, Stripe Blue is here to guide you every step of the way. Let's join hands to craft a sustainable future, not just for your business, but for the world at large. Contact us today, and let's start a conversation that could redefine your business and make a tangible impact on the planet.
