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Carbon neutral to carbon net-zero

An overview of our environmental and carbon reduction commitments.

Environment

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
Carbon net-zero
Carbon neutral Carbon net-zero

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.

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.

The latest climate science from the IPCC – described by the UN as “code red for humanity” – shows it is still possible to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C, but we are dangerously close to that threshold.

At Gamma we recognise the importance of rapid and deep emission cuts in halving emissions before 2030 and achieving net-zero before 2050.

To that end we have set near- and long-term company-wide emission reductions which have been approved by the Science-Based Target initiative (SBTi).

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.

Carbon Neutral

Gamma pledged to be a CarbonNeutral® business in 2006 and has remained so since then. The company has its energy and carbon emissions data independently assessed by Climate Impact Partners, in line with the Carbon Neutral Protocol. Each year, we offset our total emissions by investing in voluntary emissions reduction projects. So, for every 1 tonne of CO2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that Gamma emits, we’re taking steps to prevent 1 tonne of GHG occurring somewhere else in the world.

We have pledged to continue to take action and make investments outside our own value chain to mitigate GHG emissions in addition to our pledge to reduce emissions as per our near-term and long-term targets. Over the years Gamma has invested in a variety of "offset projects" which have been a combination of environmentally friendly power generation projects in the developing world and forest conservation.

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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.

Carbon net-zero

Gamma is proud to announce that we have achieved validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for our near and long-term emissions reduction targets. Our ambition to reach carbon net-zero by 2042 was announced in 2021 (baseline year) and SBTi validation is a key milestone in our journey. 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.

The SBTi is a globally recognized framework that helps companies set and achieve ambitious climate goals in line with the latest climate science. This validation signifies that our emissions reduction targets are consistent with the level of decarbonization required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, thereby limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.

By 2030, Gamma will achieve a 90% reduction in emissions from a 2021 base year from our own activities (Scope 1) and from energy purchase and usage (Scope 2). We will also halve carbon emissions from Scope 3 sources, which includes our supply chain and business travel. By 2042, we will achieve net-zero emissions across all three GHG scopes. You can find out more about Gamma’s targets by visiting the SBTi website and searching for Gamma Communication plc.

Placing rubbish in bin

Our carbon net-zero plan

Our carbon net-zero plan outlines our near term reduction targets (2030) and long term reduction targets (2042).

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.

Gamma is now undertaking a full review of all emissions reduction opportunities and will publish a full Transition Plan in due course.

Our carbon net-zero plan

Plant pots in blue room

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.

Read our carbon reduction plan

Lady at rubbish tip

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.

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Gamma Carbon Emissions 2023

Our Greenhouse Gas Emissions Summary for 2023.

Gamma Emissions Summary 2023

Cyclists