Since the beginning, making a positive impact and becoming a better company for the environment and the world has been essential to Win & Winnow. In the past few years, we accomplished a few milestones in our sustainability journey, like our B Corp and Women-Owned Certifications and, in 2022, we also became carbon-neutral, among other programs that you can check out at our Sustainability section. 

Sustainability and, specifically, environmental issues are complex topics that require everybody to keep learning and updating their knowledge constantly. On International Environmental Education Day, we want to share some things that we have learned so far and keep inspiring others to take climate action!

What is carbon neutrality, and why is it important? 

The United Nations established in 2015 the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, with an ambition to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This goal, known as the 1.5 goal, represents an urgent call to action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the impacts of climate change.

Many companies, Win & Winnow being one of them, are committing to achieving this goal by reducing or offsetting their carbon emissions. Among the big companies committed are Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, which shows that the concept of being carbon-neutral and net-zero is gaining momentum.

Being carbon-neutral

Being carbon-neutral means that an organization or individual is taking steps to offset or eliminate their greenhouse gas emissions so that the net amount of emissions is zero.

Offsetting Emissions

This can be achieved through a combination of reducing emissions at the source, such as through energy efficiency or the use of renewable energy. Or by offsetting emissions through the purchase of carbon credits to compensate for your emissions.

In 2019, we joined the B Corp Climate Collective and committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2030. We started working to be a more sustainable company, and in 2022, we became a carbon-neutral company. We managed to offset the equivalent of our emissions during the previous year by investing in the forest project “Corredor de los Cedros Argentina”, carried out by The Carbon Sink, who extended a Certificate of Verified Carbon Unit (VCU) Retirement.

So… How do you become carbon-neutral?

You will need to start by measuring your carbon footprint in order to know what strategy toward carbon neutrality is best for you. Let’s review what you’ll need to know. 

What is a Carbon Footprint, and why is it important to be a better company for the environment?

A carbon footprint is a measure of the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an organization, event, product, or service, and is typically measured in units of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e). These emissions can come from a variety of sources, including energy use, transportation, and waste.

Measuring your carbon footprint as a company is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it allows you to understand the specific areas where your organization is contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and identify areas where you can reduce your impact. Secondly, with the growing awareness of the need to tackle climate change, more and more companies are being held accountable by their customers, investors, and other stakeholders for their environmental impact. Measuring and reporting your carbon footprint can demonstrate your commitment to sustainability and help to build trust with these stakeholders.

How Home Office, Cloud, and Digitalization help you become a better company for the environment?

Home office, cloud services, and digitalization are helping companies to reduce their emissions in different ways. Remote working and home office can greatly reduce the emissions associated with commuting, while cloud-based services and digital tools can help to reduce the energy consumption associated with data storage and processing. Additionally, by using digital communication and collaboration tools, companies can reduce their dependence on paper and other resources, which can help to protect natural resources.

At Win & Winnow, as a global language solutions company, we know for a fact that the implementation of home office and cloud services reduces a lot of the company’s emissions. By allowing our employees to work from home, we have greatly reduced the need for commuting and travel, and additionally we benefit from an amazing team based all over the world. 

How can a supplier program help the environment?

Having a supplier program is another key and undermined way to reduce our footprint and have a positive impact as a company. Ensuring that the products and services we buy come from sustainable suppliers supports the use of renewable resources and the reduction of waste and pollution. Additionally, if we add a DEI policy to the program, you will also be able to promote a more inclusive economy and help support underrepresented communities. 

It’s important for companies to understand that sustainable and diverse procurement is not only a moral responsibility but also a strategic one that benefits the organization, the communities, and the environment. And let’s not forget that this can also be a competitive advantage by positioning the company as socially responsible and environmentally friendly.

At Win & Winnow in 2022 we established a Supplier Diversity & Sustainability Program to prioritize suppliers that carry out sustainable practices and use materials that do not harm the environment. To achieve this, the Purchasing Department is to attract, foster the registration and give preferential treatment to those suppliers that are certified as/can demonstrate that are a Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME); a local supplier at significant locations of operation; Certified B Corporation; Triple Impact Business; a company with active sustainability initiatives/certifications, among others.

The program aims both at developing and expanding relationships with diverse businesses owned/operated by an individual or group that is part of a traditionally underrepresented or under-served group; and at adopting sustainable procurement practices that set the expectation for suppliers to provide updates around their environmental initiatives, goals, and impact.

So… what can you do to become a better company for the environment?

There are many ways to reduce your emissions, and the specific actions you take will depend on your organization’s unique circumstances. Some examples include:

• Investing in renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, to reduce your dependence on fossil fuels.
• Implementing energy efficiency measures, such as installing energy-efficient lighting or upgrading to more energy-efficient equipment.
• Encouraging remote working and home office, which can greatly reduce the emissions associated with commuting.
• Utilizing cloud-based services and digital tools, which can help to reduce the energy consumption associated with data storage and processing.
• Have a program that prioritizes sustainable suppliers to boost other companies that are taking climate action. 

In conclusion, measuring, and understanding your carbon footprint as a company is an important step in the journey toward sustainability. By taking action to reduce your emissions, your company can not only lower its environmental impact, but also demonstrate its commitment to sustainability to its customers, investors, and stakeholders. 

At Win & Winnow, we are committed to sustainability and look forward to keep learning and implementing programs that help us be one of the best companies for the world. We hope these tips help and inspire you!