Raleigh, USA: IBM-owned open software solutions provider Red Hat aims for net-zero operational GHG outflows by 2030. The company announced its ambitious plan to achieve net-zero operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 to address the global climate crisis.
Red Hat said its 2030 operational net-zero goal follows a science-linked pathway to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. It also includes scope 1 and 2 emissions, and scope 3 emissions linked with its electricity consumption in third-party colocation data centres. The company has been through rigorous exercises to develop an emissions accounting profile which sets 2019 as the baseline year.
“By creating a comprehensive roadmap that is built on our open hybrid cloud strategy and aligned to IBM’s overall climate goals, we will reduce the impact we have on the environment and preserve the planet for generations to come,” said President and CEO Red Hat, Matt Hicks.
“We all play a role in reducing our carbon footprint and this is just one of the many ways that Red Hat is doing our part,” added Hicks.
To achieve the net-zero goal by 2030 or sooner, Red Hat will cut 65% of its operational GHG outflows by 2025 against 2019. And will prioritise energy efficiency efforts and renewable energy procurement, including a goal to achieve 75% renewable electricity by 2025, and 90% by 2030.
Red Hat aims to expand renewable energy contracts to support the full operations of top-consuming facilities and deploy sustainable design standards throughout the company’s real estate portfolio to reduce consumption.
To drive continual improvement among suppliers and within its own value chain, Red Hat will engage two-thirds of suppliers (by spend) by 2027 and ask them to establish and maintain their own environmental management systems, and set goals to reduce their GHG emissions.
To ensure transparency and accountability, Red Hat will document and publicly disclose its GHG emissions reduction journey through the company’s annual Community and Social Responsibility (CSR) report and company website.