including net zero emissions by 2050, sustainability and the environment are now at the forefront of every aspect of key decision making. “Within the public sector, the time for discussing how to be environmentally sustainable has passed,” he says. “The time to be taking continuous action and being visibly conscious of maintaining and improving sustainability is now.
“The onus needs to be on those servicing the public sector to amend their approaches to support this pivotal switch in focus.”
Rules for suppliers Declan notes that Defra’s Greening Government policy paper provides clear business rules for ICT suppliers. “It states that ‘all ICT suppliers commit to science-based net zero targets… and have developed carbon mitigation and adaptation strategies’. Furthermore, ‘all suppliers have circular ICT policies and strategies and products are routinely designed for durability, ease of maintenance and recycling’,” he says. “The public sector’s commitment to sustainability is clear. It is therefore crucial that companies like ours continuously review and adapt processes to ensure we meet our carbon reduction targets. Our recognition as a public sector provider extends beyond the capabilities of our solutions and services, it must be underlined by an unwavering commitment to sustainability throughout our operations, products and services, and supply chain.” Make or break Indeed, sustainability can – and should – be a ‘make or break’ factor in a bid, Declan adds. “Factors such as product sustainability and energy management are carrying much more weight across bidding processes today as there becomes increasing emphasis on supporting these areas,” he says. “There must be a mindset shift – in those who make key decisions within bids and those bidding – that monetary savings cannot be sought at the expense of long-term environmental sustainability.”
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