Knowing to change: Our commitment begins with awareness
Can a consumer electronics e-commerce company be green?
We talked to Up2You, the Italian startup that has transformed the business model of over 200 companies, including our own, with a new approach to sustainability.
The answer is yes: being sustainable doesn't necessarily mean disrupting your business or abandoning your business idea.
You just have to start with a first, fundamental step: becoming aware of your impact.
That is what we have chosen to do. And so far, we're proud of what we've achieved, and aware of the challenges that lie ahead.
Einova and carbon neutrality
Calculation, compensation and reduction are the three vital steps in a company's environmental reeducation.
Calculation
The analysis was carried out on our parent company Eggtronic, owner of the Einova retail brand.
In order to calculate our carbon dioxide emissions, we provided Up2You with data on business activities, from electricity and heating consumption to the energy efficiency level of buildings and employee transportation choices.
Up2You's proprietary software then quantified our emissions - both direct and indirect - and grouped them by sector, identifying those with the greatest impact on the environment.
Compensation
Compensation Offsetting one's carbon dioxide emissions means ensuring that the CO2 produced is reabsorbed.
The most effective and immediate method of absorbing carbon dioxide through chlorophyll photosynthesis is through arboreal vegetation and algae.
This is why Einova decided to support three reforestation and coastal protection projects: Katingan Peatland Conservation in Indonesia, Guanaré Forest in Uruguay and Delta Blue Carbon in Pakistan.
Forest preservation
Katingan peatland restoration and conservation project
Indonesia
Planting
Guanaré forest plantation project
Uruguay, Guanaré
Oceans
Delta blue carbon
Pakistan
The result?
In just three months, we offset our entire year's worth of carbon dioxide emissions and achieved carbon neutrality.
Reduction
If offsetting means putting CO2 into the atmosphere and then reabsorbing it, reducing means polluting less.
Reducing emissions is undoubtedly the most challenging piece of the puzzle. It involves actively changing the way we do business and the choices we make every day. Whether for logistics, suppliers, transportation or energy supply, reducing emissions means starting from the assumption that the easiest, most convenient and cheapest solution is almost always the wrong one for the environment.
Meaningful carbon emission reduction is a long, continuous, never-ending process.
Though this is only the start, we're glad to share the first steps of our journey with you.
