Gamma recognises the increasing risk climate change poses to our planet and understands that the company has a responsibility to act.
Our Commitments
Carbon Neutral
We made a commitment to reduce the carbon footprint across our network back in 2006 through investment in the efficiency of our IP based network and other assets, as well as an active offset management programme. Our network was the first to go carbon neutral in its sector and we have remained fully CarbonNeutral® certified for the past 16 years.
Carbon Net-Zero
We are pleased to announce our commitment to move from a CarbonNeutral® business to become a carbon net-zero business by 2042, supporting both the Paris Treaty’s aims to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C globally and the UN Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action.
In early 2022, we committed to set near- and long-term company-wide emission reductions in line with the Science-Based Target initiative (SBTi) and we will seek validation of our target within the 24-month SBTi timeframe.
Through the SBTi, Gamma has also signed up to the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign, as well as the UN’s Race to Zero campaign.
Emissions Offset Projects
Acre Amazonian Rainforest Conservation Project
Acre Amazonian Rainforest Conservation Project (Brazil), which aims to protect 105,000 hectares of rainforest in the Amazon basin from deforestation.
The project works with communities and local Groups to help protect ecosystem services while providing alternative models of economic development which avoid destruction of the forest.
Meru and Nanyuki Community Reforestation Programme
Meru and Nanyuki Community Reforestation Programme (Kenya) offers hundreds of individual tree planting activities.
It also enables local communities to improve access to food and create additional sources of income beyond subsistence farming, thus helping to improve the biodiversity of the local area.
Improved Water Infrastructure Project (Uganda)
Improved Water Infrastructure Project (Uganda), a project that provides clean drinking water to small rural communities by repairing and drilling new boreholes, helping to reduce water scarcity. Boreholes can be used as water wells by installing a vertical pipe casing and well screen, which allows water to be extracted from the ground.
By providing clean water, communities no longer need to purify water through boiling. This alleviates pressure on local forests, the predominant source of firewood, and reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Our Race to Zero
Carbon Net-Zero
In 2021 we outlined our ambition to develop a carbon net-zero plan. As such, following the baseline of GHG emissions in 2021, we are now committed to becoming a carbon net-zero Group company by 2042. Net-zero differs from carbon neutral in that it requires a significant reduction in emissions to a point at which we can demonstrably show any remaining emissions are business critical. We are currently developing a full emissions reduction plan to support our ambition, using the guidelines set out by the Science-based Target initiative (SBTi).
Three clear goals:
Reducing Carbon Emissions
Gamma will commit to reducing internal carbon emissions through five key reduction periods – the two periods between 2022-2030 will target a 90% reduction of both Scope 1 & Scope 2 emissions, in line with the 1.5°C pathways.
Accreditation
We will seek to have net-zero plans ratified by external accreditation (SBTi).
Remaining Carbon Neutral
We’re committed to maintaining carbon neutral status in the interim period to achieving net-zero.
Our Carbon Net-Zero Plan
Our carbon net-zero plan outlines our high-level reduction targets across each of the 5 four-year phases. We are not only looking to reduce the Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions in our own operations. Our ambition includes working with our suppliers to reduce supply chain emissions, a dominant contributor to Scope 3 indirect emissions. Our confidence around achieving this is high we already know that two-thirds of our suppliers have an understanding of their environmental impact and have quantified their emissions. We also believe that market changes and public perception will prompt more companies to take positive action on carbon net-zero and develop their own emissions reduction plans.
Understanding our Impact
Taking Climate Action
Emissions reduction projects and activity are ongoing throughout our business operations, supported by an Environmental Management Policy. From considering the environmental credentials of new office premises, through to replacing our lightbulbs, Gamma is taking proactive steps to reduce our impact on the environment.
Gamma continues to improve the energy efficiency of its data centres and its technology. Annual capital expenditure investment ensures that we deploy energy efficient technology and continue to optimise our heating, ventilation and air-conditioning in key data centres. A rolling programme of decommissioning ensures that legacy and energy-hungry infrastructure is replaced.
We already consider the environmental credentials of vendors for all computing and network equipment and this year have extended that to consider how future office space and locations will impact our ambition to reduce GHG emissions. This includes assessing any future acquisitions for potential impact.
Gamma’s operational impact on ecology and biodiversity is very low. At group level there are three staff premises within 1km of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs). We will continue to assess proximity to KBAs in respect of staff premises and other facilities.
We purchase 100% renewable energy to power our business in the UK, and our ambition is to purchase 100% renewable energy across our Group over the next few years, in line with our carbon net zero targets.
Gamma’s commitment to move its small fleet of cars and vans over to self-gen hybrids is expected in 2023 and we expect to target the switch over to electric vehicles by 2030.
All office waste is separated into recyclable and non-recyclable materials and is disposed of appropriately, diverting from landfill wherever possible.
Wherever we can, we re-use hardware components in our own network and we also follow the Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive to recycle devices if they cannot be re-purposed.
Gamma has partnered with Thales and announced that we will switch out SIM supply with an eco-designed card, made from recycled refrigerators, further reducing our environmental impact and contributing to a circular economy.
