13 October 2022
∙ Extends CO2 Offset Services to select Lenovo ThinkSystem servers
∙ Offset funds will be invested in UN-approved initiatives like renewable energy or ecological projects across the world
∙ Holistic sustainability approach encompasses using low-temperature solder technology in manufacturing, as-a-Service offerings that extend device lifecycles and asset recovery services for environmentally compliant hardware disposal that supports circular economy efforts
13 October 2022 – Today marks an important milestone for Lenovo’s CO2 Offset Services, a first-of-its-kind initiative within the tech industry: Lenovo’s customers have offset more than 1 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide from their purchases of Think PCs (desktops, workstations, laptops). This is the equivalent of greenhouse gases emitted from more than 215,000 passenger vehicles driven over the course of one year. The company also announced that enterprises can now add Lenovo CO2 offsets to their purchase of select Lenovo ThinkSystem servers.
“While our end goal should always be reducing our environmental impact, carbon offsets – leveraged responsibly and independently accredited – is a powerful tool to drive additional and very needed support towards climate action. This milestone that we celebrate today, and the extension of CO2 offset services to our server portfolio, highlights the focus and vigour of our efforts to enlist our clients in the fight against climate change. As part of our transformation journey from PC-provider to full-spectrum services provider, we intend to continue delivering solutions that help our clients meet their own sustainability goals,” said Claudia Contreras, Executive Director of Global Sustainability Services at Lenovo.
Through a simple purchase add-on, enterprises and consumers can offset the carbon emissions produced from the manufacture to the shipping of their PC or server, as well as the power consumed over the device’s lifecycle. Working through ClimeCo, a third-party global advisor, the funds are channelled towards UN-approved environmental projects like windmills, solar cells, and renewable energy initiatives, including innovative methods that harness agriculture by-products as a generator for electricity. In early 2022, Lenovo extended its carbon offset program from commercial customers to individual consumers for Lenovo Legion and Yoga PCs.
Growing demand for ESG services
Since its launch in 2021, the take-up rate of Lenovo’s CO2 Offset Services has been on the rise, with the amount of carbon offset by customers increasing by double-digits quarter-on-quarter. This indicates businesses are increasingly on the lookout for IT solutions that address their ESG-related needs and enable them to reduce their environmental footprint.
Looking beyond offsets
Carbon offsets are just one element of Lenovo’s approach to sustainable innovation. Lenovo TruScale offers technology equipment and services on a subscription or “as-a-service” basis, minimizing waste throughout the value chain. For example, TruScale helps companies reuse and recycle end-of-life IT equipment, which strengthens the circular economy and curbs waste.
“Environmental stewardship goes well beyond carbon offsetting, which is just one tool in the toolbox. We’re leveraging our integrated capabilities across hardware, infrastructure, software, and services, and rallying our partners as well to develop innovative sustainable IT solutions. We are well aware that only through strong collaboration will we achieve our net-zero ambitions. With this in mind, we will continue to foster a more circular economy, drive out waste across the value chain, reduce the usage of virgin materials in products, focus on renewables and always maintain rigorous supplier standards aligned with our mission”, said Contreras.
Lenovo has also pioneered notable innovations like the use of low-temperature solder technology which reduces greenhouse gas emissions during the production of PCs and shared it with the industry for free. Additionally, Lenovo Neptune Direct Water-Cooling technology delivers industry-leading data centre efficiency by recycling loops of warm water to cool systems and enable customers to reduce power consumption by up to 40 percent. In the product manufacturing process, Lenovo integrates recycled plastics, as well as expands the types of recycled materials used such as recycled magnesium in the manufacturing of its devices.
The company’s emissions reduction targets for reaching net-zero are currently under review by the Science Based Targets initiative for validation against the Net-Zero Standard. In FY2021-22, Lenovo reported progress toward its emission reduction 2030 targets, including a 15% reduction in scope 1 and 2 (direct) emissions. The company is increasing its focus on collaborating with suppliers to reduce emissions intensity across the value chain (scope 3 emissions).
Lenovo Solutions and Services Group (SSG) brings together all of Lenovo’s IT solutions and services across PC, infrastructure, and smart verticals including support, managed, project and solution service offerings into one dedicated organization. With a network of over 20,000 technicians across 180 markets, SSG helps customers transform their businesses on a global and local scale by delivering practical innovation to strengthen their competitive advantage.
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