Our Commitment to Sustainability
At CORTAC, we recognize that sustainable business practices are not just a trend, but a necessary commitment to our planet’s future. As part of our ongoing sustainability efforts, backdating to early 2021, we’ve been diligently working on our carbon accounting journey. Through data-driven technical analysis and rigorous auditing, we’re identifying areas for improvement, ensuring transparency, and aligning with industry standards. As we enter our third year of carbon accounting, our goal is to clear: a 55% reduction in our 2019 carbon emissions by 2030, both for our own operations and in support of our clients’ carbon reduction initiatives.
Annual Carbon Accounting Analysis
So, what exactly are we doing? We are committed to an aggressive carbon emissions reduction program, which aligns us with global sustainability efforts. Our approach includes a yearly carbon accounting analysis encompassing Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions into our reduction plan. We have no Scope 1 emissions due to the absence of company-owned vehicles or generators. By examining the carbon costs associated with each area of focus, we can identify where to improve and make meaningful changes that contribute to a greener future.
Scope 2 Emissions
Scope 2 emissions are better known as indirect emissions. These arise from purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling used for daily operations. Specifically, we are examining Scope 2 emissions related to the electricity and heat usage in our Issaquah office facilities. By understanding and optimizing these indirect emissions, we can make meaningful reductions to our carbon output.
Scope 3 Emissions
Scope 3 emissions focus on indirect value chain emissions. These encompass emissions generated throughout our organizations entire value chain, such as supply chains , materials in building, purchased goods and services, and employee commuting. By analyzing and addressing these emissions, we aim to significantly reduce our overall carbon footprint.
Employee Surveys: A Key to Accurate Data
To ensure we have a clear picture on our environmental impact, we conduct an annual employee survey. This survey collects detailed information about our workforce’s carbon footprint, including remote work environments and commuting habits. The data we gather guides our sustainability strategies and helps us tailor our initiatives to have the maximum positive impact.
Strategic Initializes for Emissions Reduction
Our emissions reduction plan is built on the foundation of strategic initiatives designed to decrease service-level emissions. Here are some of the high-value strategies we are implementing:
- Energy Efficiency in the Office: We’ve installed motion-based sensors for lighting in our offices, significantly reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
- Optimizing Office Supplies and Equipment: We are reevaluating our procurement processes to source sustainable office supplies and equipment, including snacks and goods. One of the interesting learnings from this evaluation is the impact of shipping on our carbon footprint metrics. Consequently, we are exploring ways to use shipping costs more effectively and efficiently in order to minimize the number of deliveries to our office from distribution centers.
- Sustainable Software Solutions: Transitioning from on-premises to cloud-based software services helps us cut down on electronic waste and energy use.
- Business Travel: We are meticulously analyzing our business travel to reduce flights, purchased gas, and other travel-based emissions. By encouraging remote meetings and telecommuting, we aim to lessen our travel footprint.
- Work from Home vs. Office: Understanding the impact of remote work compared to in-office work allows us to develop strategies that optimize energy use and reduce emissions, whether our employees are at home or in the office.
- Waste and Recycling Programs: Implementing comprehensive waste and recycling programs helps us minimize our environmental impact and promote a culture of sustainability within the workplace.
Continuous Improvement and Impact Analysis
Our journey towards sustainability doesn’t just stop at implementation. We continuously evaluate the effectiveness of our initiatives, optimizing strategies based on their impact. This iterative process ensures that we are always moving towards our goal of a more sustainable and responsible business operation.
Making a Positive Impact
At CORTAC, we believe that every step towards sustainability is a step in the right direction. By integrating these practices into our corporate culture and daily operations, we are not only reducing our ecological footprint but also setting an example for others to follow.
Acknowledgements
We want to extend a special thanks to RyeStrategy for their invaluable support and expertise throughout our carbon accounting journey. Their guidance has been instrumental in helping us navigate the complexities of carbon accounting and develop effective strategies for emissions reduction. As we continue our journey towards carbon reduction, we stay committed to making a positive impact on the environment and contributing to a sustainable future for all.