Reuben Digital on the road to carbon net zero

Since 2022, Ray Stephens has led Reuben Digital towards becoming environmentally responsible, setting targets to reach net zero by (and hopefully well before) the UK’s 2050 deadline. This journey includes publishing our first Corporate Social Responsibility Policy in 2023, our first annual Carbon Report in 2024, and implementing practical, measurable actions to cut waste, conserve energy, and foster a more sustainable digital future by exploiting the very latest best practice in creating low impact digital solutions.

It’s been an interesting challenge – we’ve uncovered some easy quick fixes, and are planning for some longer-term strategic improvements about how Reuben Digital is run, which require planning and investment.  We don’t have all the solutions to hand right now and realise that the road to sustainability is going to be a pretty windy road!  However, we can already see the massive benefits – we are realising that doing our bit for carbon net zero is also saving us money AND making our business more resilient. A win for us and a win for planet Earth!

The digital industry is an often-overlooked contributor to climate change, responsible for up to 3.7% of global CO2 emissions and consuming 4.2% of global primary energy.  From the data centres to transmission networks to the billions of PCs and mobile phones around the world – all that data transfer is producing a LOT of carbon emissions, and the National Grid has predicted that the power demand of data centres in the UK could see a six-fold increase in the next decade.

A key priority therefore in Reuben's business strategy is to minimise the carbon footprint of our digital solutions, as well as in our business operations. 

Here's a summary of our journey towards sustainability so far:

1. Carbon Measurement and Reporting
   Since 2023, we’ve implemented robust carbon tracking for scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. Our initiatives have led to a 46% reduction in scope 1 emissions from gas heating and a complete elimination of scope 2 emissions by switching to 100% renewable electricity (comparing emissions for 2023 against 2022, our base year). Scope 3 emissions, primarily from our supply chain and employee commuting, remain an area of focus as we seek to further reduce these impacts through improved supplier practices and remote work options.
2. Partnerships with Green Initiatives
   Partnering with Ecologi | B Corp™ and Tree-Nation we offset the emissions from our international travel and support reforestation. Every completed task in our work management tool results in a tree being planted, with 275 trees now growing in Madagascar, Tanzania, and Kenya, offsetting nearly eight tonnes of CO₂ (as of 1 December 2024). Reuben Digital has signed the Plant Based Treaty, a campaign to put food systems at the forefront of combating the climate crisis. In addition, we have joined Tech Zero, a group for tech companies committed to climate action, pledging to measure and publish our scope 1-3 emissions.
3. Greening Our Technology Stack
   Our own websites, built on Microsoft’s .NET Blazor framework with Azure SQL, align with the principles of the Sustainable Web Manifesto, creating a clean, efficient, and resilient digital presence. Key design considerations include accessible content, a clean layout, simple fonts and colour schemes, optimised image loading, minimal third-party code, and effective caching. These efforts not only enhance user experience but also significantly reduce our digital carbon footprint, setting a benchmark for sustainable digital design.
4. Eco-Friendly Office Design
   We renovated our office in 2023 with sustainability in mind—upcycling materials, reusing kitchen fixtures, and installing energy-efficient LED lighting and thermal blinds. We've been on a 100% renewable electricity tariff since 2022, and have identified new areas worthy of further investigation in our sustainability roadmap.
5. Responsible Supplier Choices
   As much as possible, we choose green-certified providers, including Microsoft Azure and Fasthosts, both of which use 100% renewable energy. We’ve also optimised our software usage, eliminating unnecessary services to reduce emissions tied to our daily operations.
6. Engaging Clients in Sustainable Practices
   Our commitment extends beyond our own footprint as we educate clients on the environmental impact of digital activity. Through “carbon health checks” on websites and guidance on reducing emissions in digital channels, we empower our clients to achieve greener digital operations. Our .NET Core/Blazor-based technology stack creates efficient, eco-friendly sites, reducing emissions without compromising performance.
7. Promoting a Green Workplace Culture
   Our internal Green Team champions sustainability within Reuben Digital, sharing green tips and news with the team and encouraging eco-friendly choices at work and home. As a member of the Climate Perks network, we support employees who choose flight-free vacations, promoting sustainable travel options.

Looking Forward

Reuben Digital's commitment to sustainability is an ongoing journey, constantly refining frameworks and exploring new technologies to deliver high-performance, low-impact digital solutions.

By engaging our clients in sustainable practices, we aspire to be a catalyst for positive environmental change within the digital sector. Together, we can make a lasting impact for a greener digital landscape and a healthier planet.

Join us on this journey toward a sustainable future. Want to know more? Please contact us because we would love to help you on your own sustainability journey, as we continue on ours…

Corporate Social Responsibility Policy

Annual Carbon Report

Reuben Digital. Be Good. Do Good.