What are the carbon emissions of the UK’s top IT resellers and MSPs, and what is each doing to tackle them?
Those were the two questions IT Channel Oxygen set out to answer in its inaugural Channel Race to Zero report, which was produced in association with Schnieder Electric.
To compile the report, IT Channel Oxygen looked at the emissions data found in the latest SECR disclosures or sustainability/carbon reduction reports of 42 larger UK resellers and MSPs.
Collectively, they produced 58,842 tCO2e in reported Scope 1 and 2 emissions in their latest years (we opted not to include Scope 3 data in the overall figures as it is not mandatory to report under SECR).
The report analyses what headway these firms are making across Scopes 1, 2 and 3, and includes exclusive interviews with C-suite and sustainability leaders from Softcat, Computacenter, SCC, CDW, boxxe, Daisy, Stone, CAE, Commercial, Digital Space and Natilik.
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT HERE
Here we zoom in on what actions 25 of these IT providers are taking to tackle their carbon footprints (in reverse order of revenues).
25. Agilico
Scope 1 and 2 emissions: 610 tCO2e (+19%)
Revenue: £64m
Emissions per £1m revenue: 9.6 tCO2e
This Horizon Capital-backed managed print specialist recently took the “bold step” of launching a mission to reach net zero by 2030.
Agilico aims to have 80% of its fleet hybrid/electric by 2024. It is also expanding the number of electric charging points at its locations to support its additional goal of having 20% of its fleet fully electric by 2024.
The Canon, Ricoh and Sharp partner chalked up a 19% rise in Scope 1 and 2 emissions in its year to 31 March 2023 to its 2022 acquisition of Capital Document Solutions, which added four office locations and 54 vehicles to its fleet. Excluding this, emissions fell 16%.
24. Digital Space
Scope 1 and 2 emissions:
Location based: 1,875 tCO2e (-15%)
Market based: 460 tCO2e (-79%)
Revenue: £61m
Emissions per £1m revenue: 14.0 tCO2e
Digital Space’s sustainability journey “started from necessity” because it needed to change to keep its biggest customer, CEO Neil Muller told IT Channel Oxygen in December.
The Graphite Capital-backed outfit is among the few midmarket MSPs that has had its [near-term] carbon reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (using a streamlined route exclusive to SMEs).
It has committed to reducing Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 42% by 2030, and to measure and reduce its scope 3 emissions.
Digital Space’s reported location-based Scope 2 emissions fell by 15% to 1,875 tCO2e in calendar 2022, while its Scope 1 emissions fell from 168 to 93 tCO2e. Its reported market-based Scope 2 emissions stood at 460 tCO2e, meanwhile.
23. Charterhouse
Scope 1 and 2 emissions:
Location based: 40 tCO2e (-48%)
Market based: 33 tCO2e (-55%)
Revenue: £69m
Emissions per £1m revenue: 0.6 tCO2e (location based), 0.5 tCO2e (market based)
Having completed a “thorough environmental audit” in 2022, this unified comms and cyber specialist has set a “bold plan” to reach carbon net zero by 2030 (reducing emissions across Scope 1, 2 and 3 by 83%).
According to its most recent Carbon Reduction plan, Charterhouse’s Scope 1 and location-based 2 emissions stood at a respective 5 and 35 tCO2e in its year to 31 March 2023*. It plans to have a fully electric fleet by 2028, and is also investigating the possibility of providing free green energy for employee EVs.
The August Equity-backed outfit pegged its Scope 3 emissions at 473 tCO2e, with upstream transport and employee homework contributing 115 tCO2e to that total, apiece. It will use its “purchase power and choice of suppliers to encourage the correct carbon-reducing behaviour within our supply chain” to help reduce this, it said.
*the emissions data in the SECR disclosure of Charterhouse’s latest accounts was slightly different
22. Commercial
Scope 1 and 2 emissions: 295 tCO2e (-6%)
Revenue: £81m
Emissions per £1m revenue: 3.6 tCO2e
Having measured its carbon footprint across all its sites since 2006, this Cheltenham-based office supplies and IT services specialist is committed to being net zero by 2028 (in line with the Science Based Targets initiative).
Commercial has installed 444 solar panels on its London and Cheltenham offices since 2012, and only purchases renewable electricity, it noted in its annual accounts.
Its London fleet is charged by points linked to its rooftop array, with the latest addition to its fleet being a long-distance hybrid van fitted with a rooftop solar array to boost its fuel economy.
Commercial is now completely free from fossil fuel heating following the decommissioning of its on-premises oil tank in June 2023.
Launched last year, its Green Audit service aims show customers practical and achievable ways they can rationalise energy usage (with typical energy savings of around 8% per client).
DOWNLOAD THE CHANNEL RACE TO ZERO REPORT HERE
How are Advania UK, Natilik ARO and ANS tackling their carbon emissions? See next page…
