Dimension Data Publishes Its First Annual Sustainability Report

NEW YORK, June 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Dimension Data the $6 billion global ICT solutions and services provider, today announced the publication of its 2013 Sustainability Report. The Report – a first for the Group - discusses how businesses will be impacted by future change such as population growth and climate change, and how ICT can make a positive contribution in creating a sustainable future.

In 2008, Dimension Data launched its global environmental sustainability program to integrate improvements to its own environmental performance with its business strategy. The company recognized that, while it is not a manufacturer of goods, its operations have a part to play in addressing the causes of climate change (the emission of GHGs).

Brett Dawson, Dimension Data's Group CEO says, "The cornerstone of Dimension Data's environmental sustainability strategy is to reduce travel, energy, and waste for our clients, our own business, and our employees by providing ICT solutions that lower costs, minimize environmental damage, and benefit society. We take this responsibility very seriously." 

The past ten years have seen unparalleled changes in how the world communicates, conducts business, and how we go about our daily lives. Technology has been the driving force behind much of this change, and the future will bring about new developments that can't even be envisioned today. However, with innovation there also needs to be responsibility.

In the Report, Dimension Data has identified air travel and data centers as the two most significant, future sources of carbon emissions within its own organization, and points out that it has set its own targets based on the reduction of travel and energy as both of these have a direct relationship with cost and carbon.

The 2013 Sustainability Report lists examples of how Dimension Data has helped some of its clients to reduce energy, water consumption, costs and electronic waste through its ICT solutions. 

A major South African financial services provider reduced its energy and water consumption by consolidating storage and computing needs of four separate divisions into one highly intelligent data center, delivering greater stability, scalability, and flexibility.

In addition, through Dimension Data's cloud computing services, a major toy manufacturer was able to reduce its costs by 30%, while simultaneously reducing energy usage and electronic waste. Studies show that large U.S. businesses can create aggregate savings by 2020 of $12.3 billion and 87.5 million tons of carbon by moving IT infrastructure to the cloud[1].

Dimension Data's global eWaste program has helped many clients reduce the amount of electronic waste sent to landfills over the past two years. In addition, Dimension Data reduced its own carbon emissions from business operations by 16% in FY13 compared to FY12.

"With over seven billion people now inhabiting our planet, mankind's footprint has never been larger, and we need to learn to tread lightly," continued Dawson. "Managing our impact on society and the environment is everyone's responsibility, not only that of government or individual leaders. I believe that businesses also have a clear responsibility beyond their financial gains."

About Dimension Data
Founded in 1983, Dimension Data plc is an ICT services and solutions provider that uses its technology expertise, global service delivery capability, and entrepreneurial spirit to accelerate the business ambitions of its clients. Dimension Data is a member of the NTT Group. Visit us at http://www.dimensiondata.com/en-US and www.facebook.com/DimensionDataAmericas or follow us on Twitter: @DimensionDataAM.

[1] CDP / Verdantix, Cloud computing – the IT solution for the 21^st century, (2011). Available at www.cdp.net/en-us/whatwedo/pages/cloud-computing.aspx (Accessed 6 May 2014). 

[2] Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Climate Change 2013:  The Physical Science Basis, (October 2013).

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120402/NE80686LOGO

SOURCE Dimension Data