Sustainability policy

Introduction

At Kortext, we are committed to integrating sustainability into our core business operations.

Our sustainability policy is designed to ensure that we conduct our business in an environmentally responsible and socially equitable manner.

We operate in compliance with all relevant environmental legislation and we are dedicated to promoting sustainable practices across all aspects of our operations.

Sustainability objectives

Our sustainability objectives are centred around four key areas: emissions, energy use, resource management, and community engagement.

These objectives guide our efforts to minimise environmental impact, promote resource efficiency, and contribute positively to the communities we serve.

1. Emissions reduction

Objective: achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

Emission reduction initiatives:

• Partnered with Microsoft to mitigate against the environmental impact of server utilisation owing to their sustainability commitments including:
  • Use 100% renewable energy by 2025
  • Be water-positive by 2030
  • Have zero-waste certification by 2030
  • Have net zero deforestation from new construction.
• Implemented a hybrid working policy to reduce employee travel by an estimated 52,000 journeys per year and associated carbon emissions by approximately 100 tonnes.
• Transitioned our annual sales conference from in-person to online, reducing the carbon emissions of employees’ international air travel by an estimated 10 tonnes.
• Removed dependency on bottled water deliveries by installing mains-fed filtered water system, saving the carbon emissions equivalent of one car driving 45,000 miles.
• Promoted a paperless office environment, stopping 6,000 letters a year being posted and significantly reduced carbon emissions related to postal deliveries.

2. Energy use

Objective: transition to 100% renewable energy and enhance energy efficiency.

Our renewable energy commitment:

• Achieved 100% renewable energy use in all Kortext facilities by 2022.
• Use 100% renewable energy for all Kortext’s business activities by 2025.

Energy efficiency projects:

• Implemented light motion sensors in communal areas to reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
• Introduced auto shut-off capabilities for climate control units to minimise wasteful energy use.
• Replaced kettles with instant hot water dispensers, achieving 50% greater energy efficiency.

3. Resource management

Objective: enhance resource efficiency and promote the use of sustainable materials.

Office recycling programmes:

• Established and maintained office recycling bins to minimise waste and promote recycling among employees.

Waste reduction:

• Eliminated wasteful practices by encouraging efficient resource use and reducing reliance on single-use items.

Sustainable packaging:

• Ensure that all paper and cardboard-based marketing materials are sourced from recycled materials by the end of 2024.

4. Community engagement

Objective: support community-based environmental initiatives and promote sustainability awareness.

Carbon offsetting:

• Engaged in tree planting initiatives, including partnerships with organisations such as the National Forest, to offset carbon emissions.

Sustainability partnerships:

• Collaborated with partners committed to sustainability, such as Microsoft, to align our goals with broader environmental efforts.

Monitoring and reporting

We are committed to transparency in our sustainability efforts. We regularly monitor our progress against our sustainability objectives and report our achievements and challenges.

Conclusion

At Kortext, sustainability is a fundamental aspect of our business strategy. We believe that by prioritising environmental responsibility and community engagement, we can create long-term value for our stakeholders and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Contact information

For more information about our sustainability policy and initiatives, please contact us.

This policy is effective as of 26 June 2024 and will be reviewed and updated annually to reflect our ongoing commitment to sustainability.

Jeremy Duckworth
Chief Financial Officer