Happy Computers Goes Carbon Neutral
Happy Computers this week became the first training provider in the UK to announce it has become carbon neutral in its impact on the environment; and Chief Executive Henry Stewart says he will be happy to help other training providers do the same.
Happy Computers this week became the first training provider in the UK to announce it has become carbon neutral in its impact on the environment; and Chief Executive Henry Stewart says he will be happy to help other training providers do the same.
"We all know the dangers of climate change and it can feel impossible to have any impact", explains Henry. "But each of us can do our bit and seek to eliminate our contribution to global warming."
Becoming carbon neutral has two stages. First a company seeks to reduce its impact on the environment. Secondly, it measures the remaining effect and offsets the impact it has by funding projects that reduce carbon use.
Happy has been trying to reduce its impact for many years and now produces just 2.45 tonnes of carbon per employee, compared to an average of 4-6 for all UK companies. Through Co2balance, a firm specialising in enabling companies to become Carbon neutral, Happy has funded projects to offset this.
The project we are supporting through Co2balance is Rhino Ark, a conservation charity which helps build energy saving stoves that reduce the need for firewood by 70%, thereby helping to conserve the woodland and wildlife habitat that live in and around the Aberdale National Park in Kenya.
Happy Computers has long aimed to minimise its impact. The company has been endowing rainforest since 1990, long before the term 'carbon offset' had started being used. It has been recycling since 1994 and using only recycled paper since 1996, and sourced energy only from renewable sources for the last six years. In 2006 the company was rated the small business with the most positive impact on society of any in the UK.
"I know most of the people I talk to share our desire to reduce their impact on the environment", continues Henry, "but don't know how to do it. And they imagine it is complex and expensive. It isn't. It's actually very simple and a lot cheaper than you might think. And remember: becoming more energy efficient saves your business money. I would really encourage anybody who is interested to get in touch. I'd be happy to help."
Contact Henry on henry@happy.co.uk or at 07870 682442