Our journey to carbon neutral: paving the way for a greener future

We are thrilled to share the exciting news that Jumar has officially become a Carbon Neutral business! It’s been an incredible journey of hard work and dedication from all our people that has spanned the last 3 years. By diligently measuring our carbon footprint and implementing a wide range of initiatives, we have gained valuable insights into reducing our environmental impact.  We’ve also recently been awarded ISO14001 – the environmental accreditation which governs our environmental credentials.

But our commitment doesn’t stop there. We firmly believe in supporting other organisations on their own path to carbon neutrality. That’s why we’re excited to share some of the valuable insights we’ve gained along the way.

Reducing emissions through hybrid work

One of the key areas where we have made a substantial difference is by adopting a hybrid approach to home/office working, including closing the office on low attendance days. This shift has dramatically decreased business travel and commuting, which were major contributors to our carbon footprint. By embracing remote work, we have not only reduced emissions but also created a more flexible and efficient work environment for our employees.

Green energy and sustainable practices

Here at Jumar, we believe in leading by example. By selecting 'green' energy suppliers for our business premises, we have significantly reduced our reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, we have implemented measures to reduce paper consumption, introduced recycling schemes, and embedded environmental initiatives into our social value programme. These steps, which are audited under ISO14001, reinforce our commitment to sustainable practices throughout our operations.

Offsetting emissions and reforestation initiatives

While we have successfully reduced our emissions through various initiatives, we recognise that some emissions are currently unavoidable. To address this, we have engaged in reforestation initiatives, offsetting our remaining carbon emissions. These projects not only provide certified confirmation of existing tree planting but also contribute to future schemes. Currently focused on the West Midlands, North West, and South East regions where most of our people are located, these initiatives will expand as we strive to become 'carbon negative' within the next 12 months.

Collaboration and extending our impact

We understand that our journey towards sustainability doesn’t end now we have become a carbon neutral business. We need to continue to learn and build on our practices and to make a broader impact, we are committed to working closely with our supply chain partners, encouraging them to adopt similar initiatives. Additionally, we will engage with our clients’ social value and ESG teams to ensure that our practices align with their standards, expectations, and regulations. By fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing, we aim to contribute to a greener and more sustainable future collectively.

Helping our clients to improve their carbon emissions

Whenever software is built, modified or modernised, the resulting system has its own carbon footprint. We endeavour to build systems that are efficient and use resources intelligently, working to the Green Software Foundation standards wherever possible.

A rigorous approach to measurement

With a commitment to ensuring accuracy and credibility and a focus on avoiding 'greenwashing', we apply rigorous methodologies supported by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and ISO14001 accreditation. And as part of our commitment to transparency, our environmental initiatives undergo independent verification through our annual Social Value report, following the National TOMs framework of measurement.

Looking ahead: from carbon neutral to carbon negative

We remain dedicated to continuous improvement and are excited about transitioning from carbon neutral to carbon negative in the coming year. We embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as we explore innovative ways to reduce our environmental impact and inspire positive change in the business community.

Our journey to carbon neutral and beyond reflects our unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship. Through a comprehensive approach encompassing reduced emissions, sustainable practices, reforestation initiatives, collaboration, and ongoing improvements, we have reached this important milestone. As we strive to become carbon negative, we invite like-minded businesses to join us on this path to create a greener, more sustainable future for all. Together, we can make a real difference.