Konftel secures climate-neutral certification for third year

Konftel has strengthened its climate-neutral ethos after securing official certification for the third year in a row.

Collaboration endpoint specialist Konftel has strengthened its sustainability ethos by announcing a series of greener measures to help secure official climate-neutral status for the third year.

With a growing global footprint, the manufacturer became the first in the unified communications (UC) industry to become climate neutral certified. All greenhouse gas emissions have been offset by credits to support various projects worldwide.

The company joins a growing movement of over 260 brands that have the standard, based on a far-reaching three-step process, which comprises:

• Measuring its 2021 greenhouse gas emissions footprint
• Purchasing verified carbon credits to offset that footprint
• Implementing plans to reduce emissions during 2022 and beyond

Altogether, the brands have measured and offset 783,768 tonnes of carbon. As part of this year's commitments, Konftel will reduce the use of plastic bags in some of its most popular products by 50%, increase renewable energy at main manufacturing facilities, and reduce car commuting of staff by 40%.

"In an era of agile working with huge demand for conferencing and collaboration hardware, protecting the planet is just as important as connecting the world," says Konftel chief marketing officer, Stefan Eriksson.

"Buying from Konftel ensures our customers have a clear climate conscience, with zero net carbon emissions from our manufacturing processes. We believe every company should be climate neutral and invest in our planet. It's about measuring, offsetting and reducing emissions to help the world become net-zero by 2050," he says.

"There are many effective ways we are helping. For example, we will cut polythene bags in our products boxes for the Konftel 800 conference phones and Konftel Cam20 and Konftel Cam50 cameras by 50% by 2023. For cables and other small parts, today shipped in poly bags, we will either shift to biodegradable bags or, if possible, exclude the bags completely."

He says that the company aims to increase the renewable energy ratio by 10% at its primary contract manufacturer's facilities by 2023. It will also reduce car commuting of staff compared to pre-pandemic levels.

"By promoting a hybrid work style with flexibility in work location, staff will not be required to commute to corporate offices to the same extent as before."

His comments were endorsed by Austin Whitman, the CEO of Climate Neutral, a non-profit organisation working to eliminate carbon emissions.

"Climate-neutral certified companies show the world that immediate action on climate change is possible and essential," says Whitman.

"In just three years, the growing number of Climate Neutral Certified brands has built a powerful movement that gives companies and consumers meaningful ways to act on climate. Certified brands are leading the way by recognising that climate change must be solved. They believe that all companies should take immediate voluntary action to zero out their entire carbon footprint, and they are engaging their consumers around this important issue like never before."

He says Konftel and other climate-neutral certified brands are leading the global shift to a net-zero economy by doing what all companies should be doing immediately, measuring, offsetting, and reducing their carbon emissions.

"Our label helps consumers identify these brands. It's a recognisable and trusted symbol that turns everyday purchases into meaningfully positive climate action."