Top Sheffield tech firm endorses homegrown drive to go net zero

WANdisco has adopted the Betterworld.Solutions code of conduct which creates a blueprint for saving the planet without damaging profit.

Founder and chief executive, David Richards, said it was time to act or risk losing ‘the social right to operate’.

He added: “We are proud to have adopted the Betterworld.Solutions approach to prevent global warming. These simple steps can encourage companies to do the right thing for the environment and get a good return on investment.

“We recognise the health of the planet is essential not just to business but to species survival and urge other companies to join up.

“Businesses in all sectors will lose their social right to operate if they neglect their environmental responsibilities.”

Betterworld.solutions was was founded by Chris Rea, managing director of Rotherham-based manufacturer AESSEAL.

He believes helping the UN hit its target to reduce global warming is longer a choice for industry - but an urgent imperative.

He said: “We welcome this show of support from WANdisco and founder David Richards. If enough businesses act, together we can slow down or help to prevent global warming.”

The Betterworld plan states:

- Any sustainability project will be given priority over any other capital investment with a similar return on investment

- Any sustainability project with a reasonable chance of getting a return on investment within four years should be brought to the attention of the board

- A written decision on any such project is mandatory within three months of submission

- All global business heads have local spending authority and any sustainability project with a higher value should be immediately referred to the board

- Directors should to use their corporate or personal presence to influence policymakers to legislate the requirement for such a policy for all businesses with more than 180 co-workers

- Current or potential supplier input is also welcomed.

Big data company WANdisco has offices in Sheffield and California and partnerships with Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud.

AESSEAL has already hit net zero carbon emissions in the UK after installing new energy saving systems, training staff and buying zero emission electricity, low emission vehicles and carbon credits.

Now it is targeting global net zero emissions at all 230 of its locations worldwide by 2029.

Go to Betterworld.Solutions

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