Press Release
Easynet Global Services launches extensive sustainability project
17/06/2010
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) companies are being called upon by Easynet Global Services to adopt a collective approach to environmental responsibility, in an initiative launched today. The initiative, entitled ‘How ICT supports sustainable operations’ sees Easynet lobbying ICT companies to adopt a joined-up approach to share responsibility for power consumption. At the same time it accepts that the ICT sector cannot shoulder the burden alone, and is also calling on politicians, scientists and other business sectors to assist in its quest.
Supporters of the initiative so far include PricewaterhouseCoopers, Heineken, Eneco, Rabobank and Nyenrode Business University, all of whom are speaking at Easynet’s C-level conference at the Heineken Brewery in the Netherlands on 24th June. The event is intended for organisations that are actively pursuing sustainable enterprise or would be interested in hearing more about it.
With the ICT industry currently accounting for around 2% of global carbon emissions, sustainable and environmentally conscious business practices have long been a high priority for Easynet, which also sees sustainable enterprise as an opportunity for itself and its customers to save on costs and promote innovation in their operations. The Benelux initiative is part of a global drive across the business to focus on sustainability, which Easynet manages with the following process:
- Assess and measure the impact of its operations on the environment
- Consult on change to reduce this impact
- Communicate and adopt change
In line with this process, Easynet has invested in improving energy efficiency in its own data centres, with intelligent data centre design currently keeping temperatures for half its Schipol-Rijk Energy Centre at 26ºC, an increase of 4 degrees on the current industry standard. Further systems in place to reduce its impact on the environment include the installation of motion sensitive lights in Easynet offices; assessing the impact on the environment of the entire supply chain; a prominent recycling programme, and engaging employees on environmental issues. Additionally, Easynet has rolled out videoconferencing systems at all its office locations. These examples and its many other initiatives have resulted in cost savings, increased efficiency and significant reductions in CO₂ emissions.
Dirk Peeters, Managing Director of Easynet Global Services Northern Europe: “Sustainable enterprise is a shared responsibility. Easynet is calling on the business community to cooperate more and share knowledge, which will make it possible to achieve much greater synergy. ICT companies need to show how they can support organisations in other sectors in using ICT to achieve more energy-efficient operations and to improve the bottom line”. He continued, “A possible next step in the Benelux region would be certification for energy-efficient companies. The government plays an important role in making this happen”.