How would you assess the IT channel's record on sustainability overall?
There are some great examples of partners embracing sustainability. However, we want to support our partners to drive even more progress. That's why earlier this year we launched Amplify Impact, an industry-first partner assessment, resource and training programme aimed at driving sustainable impact in partnership with our partners. The programme allows us to extend the reach of our Sustainable Impact Strategy to channel partners empowering them to also make a lasting positive change to planet, people and community utilising HP's sustainability programmes, whilst maximising business opportunities. Our goal is to work with our partners to help drive a more circular and low-carbon economy, cultivate a more diverse, inclusive and equitable supply chain and improve the vitality and resilience of local communities. Prior to the HP Amplify Impact launch, the UK team created a Partner Sustainable Impact Award initiative to encourage our partners to prioritise sustainability and collaborate with HP to drive progress. The strength and reach of our ecosystem are substantial and by bringing our partners with us on this journey, we can work together to create a more sustainable and just world.
What does the term ‘sustainability' encompass for you and HP?
At HP, our ambition is to become the world's most sustainable and just technology company.
Over the next decade, HP will stand for a new era of progress - where climate change is reversed, human rights are universally protected, and digital equity democratises opportunity for all.
The actions we're taking to address some of society's greatest challenges will strengthen our communities while spurring innovation and growth across our business. But it's going to take a lot of hard work and investment. It will demand collaboration across the public and private sectors. And above all else, it will require us to believe that we can rise to this moment in ways that truly change the world for the better. But HP can't do it alone. No company can. Which is why it is encouraging and inspiring to see so many companies, governments, and NGOs finding new ways to work together on shared solutions. Ultimately, that's how we will overcome the challenges we face and create a more sustainable, equitable, and just society. And there has never been a better time for all of us to not only imagine the future we want to create, but to start building it together.
Are sustainability and commercial success mutually exclusive?
Sustainability is more than just the right thing to do; it's good for business. Our Sustainable Impact agenda helped win more than $1bn in sales in 2020, the second consecutive year we've surpassed this milestone. HP offers the most sustainable PC portfolio in the industry, driven by customer insights and leadership in energy efficiency, recycled materials use, product longevity, design for end-of-life, and packaging. We are driving toward a forest positive future for print, moving beyond zero deforestation to protect, restore, and improve the management of forests around the world.
Sustainable Impact is at the heart of HP's reinvention journey - fuelling innovation, growth, and strengthening our business for the long-term.
What is the most ambitious goal HP has set around environmental or social sustainability?
In 2021, HP announced our most comprehensive and ambitious Sustainable Impact agenda yet. It connects us to the most defining and urgent issues of our time and where we can have the greatest impact.
- Climate Action: Drive toward a net zero carbon, fully regenerative economy while engineering the industry's most sustainable portfolio of products and solutions.
- Human Rights: Create a powerful culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Advance human rights, social justice, and racial and gender equality across our ecosystem, raising the bar for all.
- Digital Equity: Lead in activating and innovating holistic solutions that break down the digital divide that prevents many from accessing the education, jobs, and healthcare needed to thrive. Drive digital inclusion to transform lives and communities.
Have you or HP's outlook towards environmental and social sustainability changed in the last year?
From our earliest days, we have believed that, by creating technology in the service of humanity, we can create the conditions for business and society to thrive hand in hand. With each passing year, we have deepened our commitment to this belief. As a result, we're a stronger company that is making a more sustainable impact on the world. As we look to the next 10 years, it's clear we're entering one of the most consequential decades in modern business history.
A global pandemic continues to cause hardship and heartache around the globe. A changing climate is devastating many communities and threatening the very future of the planet we all share. And we are facing a long-overdue reckoning with the deep inequities that prevent far too many people from reaching their full potential.
While these are stark challenges that won't be overcome quickly, we must view them as catalysts for change. Our new 2030 Sustainable Impact agenda is designed to propel us forward. It stays true to HP's values, supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and prioritises efforts where our technology, talent, and ecosystem can have the greatest impact.
Looking at HP's products, solutions and services, how often is sustainability now part of the conversation at an end-user level?
Sustainable Impact is both a business imperative and a key differentiator for HP; and we are seeing a growing number of customers focus on sustainability. In a survey of consumers, Porter Novelli found out that two-thirds would be ready to switch from a product they typically buy to a different product offered by a purpose driven company, and we are seeing this in the conversations we have with end users. As we have mentioned, our Sustainable Impact agenda helped to win more than $1bn in sales in 2020, the second consecutive year we've surpassed this milestone.
HP is recognised as one of the world's most sustainable companies and through HP's product portfolio and services we want to help our customers achieve their sustainability goals. HP launched the world's first notebook, display, mobile workstation and enterprise Chromebook -- all with ocean-bound plastics. We have sourced more than 1.7 million pounds (771 tonnes) of ocean-bound plastic for use in our supplies and hardware materials—more than 60 million bottles—preventing this plastic from reaching waterways and oceans. We design our personal systems products and services to provide customers the security, durability, and energy and materials efficiency they expect and depend on, and offer the most sustainable PC portfolio in the industry. This is based on the criteria set out by EPEAT—the most comprehensive, measurable, and transparent eco-label in the IT industry.
As the global leader in home and office printing solutions, we are delivering sustainable next-generation solutions and service-based models, responsible forest product sourcing, climate action, and circular innovation to meet the needs of our customers.
Is the government doing enough to shape sustainable behaviour in the IT sector and among UK business more generally?
Partnership is key. As HP we are reducing our impact by setting targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative for our Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions, and we continue to support coordinated global action to combat climate change, including action in line with Paris Climate Accord commitments. We partner to develop scalable models for digital inclusion and lifelong learning and help governments create effective policies and programmes. We also collaborate with policy makers to drive progress toward a more circular materials- and energy-efficient future. Governments can create a level playing field by removing trade barriers, adopting competitive compliance and tax structures, and protecting intellectual property. To drive innovation and equitable economic growth, we support policies to eliminate the digital divide and encourage access to the best technologies for people around the world.
Mark Dempsey is UK & Ireland sustainability manager at HP
