Capgemini UK launches ambitious carbon reduction targets

By Brian Collett — The UK arm of Capgemini, the global consulting, technology and outsourcing services provider, has set itself two demanding targets for reducing its present annual carbon emissions of 48,000 tonnes. 

 

First, it aims by 2020 to cut emissions per employee by 20 per cent of the 2014 level. Its second goal is a reduction of 40 per cent of that figure by 2030. 

 

Capgemini has become the first UK company to publish reduction targets that have been scientifically approved. 

The present emissions figure is already 21 per cent below the level in 2008 when Capgemini announced a sustainability programme. The details of the new programme will be revealed early this year. 

 

James Robey, global head of corporate sustainability, said: “As a service provider and consultant for many household names, our impact is much wider than our own operations and it’s important for us to acknowledge this by leading from the front.” 

 

The Capgemini announcement was welcomed by Paul Simpson, chief executive of the Carbon Disclosure Project, the UK-based international NGO that encourages transparency and environmental improvement policies: “We are delighted that Capgemini in the UK has taken the bold step to sign up to ambitious targets. 

 

“We hope to see other companies in their industry following soon.” 

 

Capgemini’s aims have been approved by the Science-Based Targets initiative, which is jointly run by the Carbon Disclosure Project, WWF, the World Resources Institute, a US-based global research body that promotes prosperity through sustainability, and the UN Global Compact, which urges businesses to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies.