Company PCs, smartphones, and servers generate tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, with the bulk of these greenhouse gas emissions generated during production. That is why, for more than 40 years, CHG-MERIDIAN has been offering end-of-life services based on the professional refurbishing and sustainable reuse of used IT devices, in line with the principles of the circular economy. We are now taking this one step further with carbonZER0®. For the first time, our customers can make financial climate contributions to compensate the greenhouse gas emissions generated in the production, transportation, use phase, and end-of-life scenarios of their leased IT assets.
Sustainable financing of IT assets with carbonZER0®
Alongside avoiding and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a holistic lifecycle approach, financial climate contributions to compensate unavoidable emissions is an important step that allows companies to operate in a more sustainable manner and to make a positive contribution toward climate change mitigation. That is why we are enabling companies to lease their IT assets in a sustainable way through carbonZER0. This involves offsetting the greenhouse gas emissions generated during the production, transportation, use and end-of-life phase of leased IT assets. Payments for offsetting greenhouse gas are made via direct investments in certified and internationally recognized climate change mitigation projects – requiring no additional time or effort from customers.
Calculating CO₂ emissions
Using the carbonZER0® financing upgrade requires no additional time or effort on the part of our customers. They enjoy the benefits of a complete package that takes care of everything from selecting and managing the climate change mitigation projects to providing recognized emissions certificates and calculating greenhouse gas emissions using a certified methodology that follows the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. The calculation takes into account production, transportation, and the electricity consumed during the use phase and end-of-life scenarios of the IT assets.
Offsetting CO₂ emissions
Once the calculation has been completed, any greenhouse gases generated are offset through investments in climate change mitigation projects. Through carbonZER0®, CHG-MERIDIAN supports internationally recognized climate change mitigation projects certified to the highest standard, Gold Standard VER. The customer receives a certificate as proof of the CO₂ emissions compensated. This guarantees that the financial contributions will only be used to offset greenhouse gas emissions once; the related certificates are subsequently retired in the official registers.
Ongoing support for climate change mitigation projects
Customers opting for carbonZER0® support projects that are proven to offset emissions. These can include, for example, by expanding renewable energy generation or promoting the use of more energy-efficient technologies. The portfolio ranges from solar power installations and drinking water systems to fair microcredits and wind turbines. Furthermore, the projects benefit the local population by creating jobs, improving infrastructure, and reducing health risks.
Our climate change mitigation projects ensure sustainable development at the economic, social, and environmental level in the respective countries in line with the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals. To prove that criteria are being met, the projects are checked and certified according to the Gold Standard VER. This ensures – and regularly confirms – that the projects are effective in combating climate change.
"Our customers can simply add the service to their existing order without any additional hassle. We take care of everything for them, including making the offset payment to certified climate projects"
Climate change mitigation is a must
Customers and investors have long been demanding sustainable solutions, and what might once have been an afterthought, such as climate-neutral business practices or green IT, is now often crucial to the success of a business. Environmental protection has become a corporate objective, and sustainable procurement a moral obligation. Sustainability and combating climate change have become a must for companies – from an environmental, social, and commercial perspective. carbonZER0® allows our customers to not only make a truly positive and transparent contribution to their environmental footprint but also to enhance their image as a sustainable company.
