Blue Connections IT achieves carbon neutral certification

Melbourne-headquartered managed services provider Blue Connections IT has been certified carbon neutral for its business operations in the financial year ending 30 June 2023.

This is the second successive year the firm has received certification, which was based on an assessment of its greenhouse gas emissions against the Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard by Pangolin Associates.

The assessment determined Blue Connections had decreased its emissions by 19.2 per cent compared to the 2021-22 financial year.  

“Blue Connections IT is thrilled to have achieved carbon neutral certification by Climate Active for the second consecutive year, demonstrating the company’s continued dedication to adopting more sustainable operating practices and reducing its overall impact on the environment,” said Blue Connections' CEO Gordon Brownell.

Pangolin collated information on the carbon produced from the entire value chain of Blue Connection IT’s operations, including electricity usage; business kilometres travelled; freight transportation; daily needs such as cleaning, software and stationery; and professional services.

The company's sustainability initiatives include replacing plastic packaging with recycled cardboard, installing six electric vehicle (EV) charging stations onsite and adding two EVs to its fleet of vehicles.

Blue Connections has reported a 339 per cent increase in employees walking, running or cycling to work.

“Blue Connections IT recognises that achieving carbon neutral certification with Climate Active is more than a box-ticking exercise; it’s a serious commitment to lowering carbon dioxide emissions and aligning the overall business direction to become a sustainable operation," Pangolin Associates' senior consultant Matthew Coleman said.

"Some companies are measuring their emissions and purchasing offsets to become carbon neutral without considering the importance of yearly falls in emissions produced."

“The assessment process is complicated and requires a coordinated and timely effort, including an ongoing engagement to understand the sources of emissions to continue YoY reductions."

“Furthermore, Blue Connections IT consistently demonstrates its understanding of the importance of business-wide decarbonisation by making the internal changes required to continue reducing its carbon emissions."

"Attaining carbon-neutral certification for the second consecutive year displays Blue Connections IT’s commitment to lowering its environmental impact.”