Capgemini and the Environment
From Lauraibm
Contents |
Articles in the Press
MI Summary
Capgemini is recognised as having a low impact upon the environment, their environmental initiatives focus on four main areas, energy use, business travel, waste management and IT asset re-use. The company clearly sets out their aims on a global basis, but alongside this individual offices also devise local environmental initiatives.
Capgemini actively monitor their power consumption, with a view of reducing energy use. Within the UK Capgemini receives its energy from renewable resources as part of the Green Energy program.
Schemes have been introduced in attempt to reduce the travel related impacts on the environment, e.g. public transport; car sharing and video conferencing initiatives.
To control waste management Capgemini maintain a variety of recycling initiatives such as providing recycling facilities, encouraging double sided printing and ensuring proper disposal of recycling. Within the UK specifically new printer systems have reduced the number of devices used and consequently the amount of power and toner consumed.
What the Vendor says about itself
Environmental protection is a priority for the conservation of finite natural resources and the future health of our planet.
At Capgemini we recognize our responsibility to safeguard the environment and are taking steps to minimize the environmental impact of our activities.
Capgemini and the Environment As a service provider, Capgemini is recognized as having a low impact on the environment. Many of our consulting services actively contribute to the reduction of resource usage by optimizing production cycle management and distribution networks.
We are sensitive to environmental considerations and continually strive to limit any harmful effects our activities, while protecting the safety and wellbeing of our staff, clients, partners and the general public.
Our environmental initiatives focus on four areas:
- Energy use (real estate, facilities and equipment)
- Business travel,
- Waste management (including reduction and recycling), and
- IT asset re-use.
In concrete terms, we aim to:
- comply with local and international environmental legislation,
- take environmental impact into account in staff training programs,
- raise employee awareness of these issues,
- adopt the best practices available in this area,
- set up indicators to monitor progress.
Many Capgemini offices have devised local environmental initiatives which have yielded encouraging results. We are also developing a comprehensive program of improvements for all countries based on a 2005 survey of the nature of environmental policies, specific actions, programs and indicators in each region.
Capgemini upholds the principles of the United Nations Global Compact by promoting greater environmental responsibility and encouraging the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
We are also committed to ensuring that working conditions in our supply chain are safe, workers are treated with respect and dignity, and manufacturing processes are environmentally responsible.
(1)
Energy Use
In a world of finite natural resources, energy use is an issue of increasing importance. By consuming less, we can help to reduce the environmental impacts associated with C02 and other emissions from power generation plants.
We are taking action to ensure that our facilities have a low impact on the environment throughout their lifespan, by:
- Active monitoring of power consumption, with a view to reducing it
- Advanced energy-saving systems such as automatic switch-off lights, energy-saving computer monitors
- Use of materials from renewable resources, non-toxic materials and recyclable items
- Training in environmental compliance for facilities managers
Thinking globally, acting locally…
Capgemini in the UK has switched its energy supply to Green Energy. Energy providers will procure energy generated from renewable resources for 2006 and 2007. This will reduce air pollutants and carbon dioxide associated with climate change. An energy efficiency review is also underway.
In the Netherlands, advanced energy-saving systems have been installed in our new office buildings. In many offices across the Group, lighting is timed for automatic switch-off and sensor monitors are used for lighting in meeting rooms.
(2)
Business Travel
Commuting and business travel produce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, reduce air quality and use up fossil fuels. That’s why we are taking steps to reduce our travel-related impacts and have introduced schemes to promote:
- Use of public transport, including special company bus services and rail passes
- Car-sharing
- Video or teleconferencing and other collaborative working tools to limit the number of individual business trips
- Virtual working and flexible working hours
- Increased employee awareness, thanks to a Global Travel Manager that helps staff to work out their carbon footprint based on where they are flying from and to.
2005 saw a decrease in travel expenses per employee of over 6%.
Thinking globally, acting locally…
- Capgemini Holland and India videoconferencing to reduce environmental impact and cut travel costs.
- Dutch employees are given a rail card as an incentive to use public transport.
- In the UK a number of sites have car share schemes, site buses and bicycle racks.
- In India, a Capgemini bus commuting system was set up for employees to reduce pollution from car exhausts.
- In Central Europe employees are encouraged to car pool, and to use diesel-run company cars or rental cars.
- In Sweden, train rather than air travel is encouraged wherever possible.
(3)
Waste Management
Capgemini maintains a variety of recycling initiatives, as well as promoting an individually responsible approach towards recycling.
In concrete terms, we:
- Provide recycling facilities for paper, aluminium, printer toners, etc
- Encourage double-sided printing and photocopying
- Ensure proper disposal of or recycling of IT and electronic equipment in accordance with local legislation
- Use appropriately licensed organizations to remove special waste (such as defective monitors or neon tubes)
Thinking globally, acting locally…
A number of our countries re-furbish IT assets and donate them to either local or international organisations to provide access to technology to those who would not otherwise have access. This is also an option for our clients when they undertake an IT refresh.
- France has adopted double-sided photocopying so as to reduce paper waste
- Australia has installed the latest printer and scanner technology to encourage electronic filing
- The Netherlands has installed new printing systems that reduce unnecessary printing
- The United States has set up processes for recycling IT equipment
- In Central Europe, IT equipment is leased then environmentally recycled
- In the UK new printer systems have significantly reduced the number of devices used, reducing the amount of power and toner consumed.
The Netherlands won the Retour Award 2004 for recycling 90% of plastic drinking cups. Capgemini doubled the €1000 prize, which was then given to a charity project to aid workers in developing countries.
(4)
Source
- 2. Energy Use
