Computacenter's Clare Parry-Jones, HP's Anna Chalmers, Jigsaw24's Roger Whittle and Tech Data's David Watts unveiled as first four judges to join Tech Impact panel
Following this week's pivotal Earth Day summit, we are delighted to announce the first four judges for the Tech Impact Awards.
Launched in March, the Tech Impact Campaign and Awards will recognise and honour those vendors, distributors, resellers, MSPs and services firms leading the way when it comes to environmental and social sustainability.
With the deadline for entries 14 May just three weeks away, we are delighted to unveil our launch judging line-up (further judges will be announced soon).
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE CRN TECH IMPACT CAMPAIGN AND AWARDS HERE
Anna Chalmers, supplies and transactional print channel sales director UK & Ireland
What's the most alarming sustainability-related stat you've heard recently?
There are many alarming sustainability related statistics. However, one that stands out to me personally, because my husband and 10 year old daughter enjoy sea fishing together, is that by the year 2050 there will be more plastic by weight than fish in the ocean! This is why it is so important that HP has sourced more than 60 million bottles of ocean-bound plastic, that might otherwise have reached waterways and oceans, for inclusion into HP products.
Have you or your company's outlook towards sustainability changed in the last year?
HP's commitment to sustainability is embedded in our DNA and at all levels of the company. The climate crisis is an unprecedented challenge demanding immediate action across private and public sectors. This month, HP announced extensive and ambitious climate action goals, focusing on carbon emissions, circularity and forest protection and restoration. One of our goals is to drive net-zero carbon emissions across our entire value chain by 2040, beginning with Supplies business achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
Clare Parry-Jones, Computacenter
What's the most alarming sustainability-related stat you've heard recently?
Only today the A68…gone! The A68 is a massive iceberg , which was once the biggest in the world and became a social media star and it's has melted away. It once covered an area of nearly 6,000 sq km (2,300 sq miles) when it broke away from Antarctica in 2017. The A68 we are more used to is still intact (apart from the inevitable roadworks) and takes you from Edinburgh to Darlington through some lovely countryside!
What advice would you have for IT providers looking for quick wins on sustainability?
Start somewhere. It can be overwhelming at first, however executing a plan no matter how small is the first step and build from there so that you can bank the quick wins and spend time to get the bigger wins well thought through and planned. Don't overlook the pockets of brilliance you may have already going within your business, they are all valid and can be weaved into a more strategic plan as time goes on.
Have you or your company's outlook towards sustainability changed in the last year?
For a long time now we have had a focus on reducing our impact on the environment with our Scope1 and 2 emissions reducing by 44 per cent over the past five years, however we are now aligning this further to our long-term goals and purpose to ensure we continue to deliver a sustainable business.
David Watts, managing Director UK & Ireland at Tech Data
Why did you agree to become a CRN Tech Impact judge?
The time to focus on how the channel can support sustainability in our businesses and ways of working is now. These awards add a spotlight which is important, but more important is the platform the awards will provide for best practices which we can all learn from.
How would you assess the IT channel's record on environmental and social sustainability overall?
Based on conversations I have had with our customers and vendors it is mixed. But the intent is there and so is the energy. I think many feel they need to focus their efforts more to make a difference, as do I. There is great support, advice and role model channel partners which I hope that the Tech Impact awards will showcase.
What's the most alarming sustainability-related stat you've heard recently?
The news, just this week, of the 5,800sq km ice block known as A68a - the world's largest iceberg has melted almost completely, just 3 years after it broke off from an Antarctic ice shelf.
Roger Whittle, CEO, Jigsaw24
Why did you agree to become a CRN Tech Impact judge?
Because I admire what CRN are trying to achieve in the sustainability space, and because I strongly support the aims of these awards. I am sure that together the IT channel can shine a light on this most pressing of challenges which we all face together - reducing greenhouse gases and consequently global warming.
What's the most alarming sustainability-related stat you've heard recently?
Rainforests once covered 14 per cent of the earth's land surface; now they cover a mere six per cent and experts estimate that the last remaining rainforests could be consumed in less than 40 years. Over an acre of rainforest is destroyed every second. Terrifying.
What advice would you have for IT providers looking for quick wins on sustainability?
All wins are welcome. Some are easy quick wins, like ensuring that 100 per cent of lightbulbs used are LED or banning single use plastic bottles in the office. Some wins take longer like refurbishing aircon systems. Two examples of "medium quick wins" may be installing some electric vehicle chargers or switching electricity suppliers (or tarrifs) towards a greener alternative.
