Environment
Decisions and initiatives related to our environmental impact and footprint are led and supported at the operating group and/or individual business unit level.
Scope 1
Direct Emissions
(Owned or controlled sources)
Scope 2
Indirect Emissions
(Generation of purchased energy)
Scope 3
Indirect Emissions
(Throughout the value chain)
Jonas | Making a Difference
Our Jonas UK Portfolio has formalized and brought its existing and new initiatives under one program that they refer to as the Jonas Foundation. The three pillars to the Foundation are apprenticeship, charity and sustainability.
Their sustainability board remains actively engaged with our employees including providing a tool for calculating your carbon footprint, a site for what can be done to create change and setting priorities for 2024.
One of their 2024 projects is to ensure that all our business marketing websites are ‘hosted green’. Using the Green Web Foundation site to track progress - currently 17 of 24 sites are able to display this image in their website footer:
Our Jonas Fitness Portfolio is also seeking ways to reduce their carbon emissions. One of their focus areas is transitioning to cloud computing from traditional on-premise IT infrastructure.
Seekom: Trees That Count
Our Jonas Seekom BU in New Zealand partnered with Trees That Count in support of their sustainability goals. This initiative allows accommodation providers and guests to offset emissions and support the environment.
HCTC | Committed to Sustainable Impact and Community Support
At this years’ HCTC we continued our focus on understanding the conferences impact on the environment. We once again partnered with Tradewater to offset the emissions from attendee travel, offsetting over 900 tons of CO2e, as well as chose eco-friendly, B-certified swag to provide to our attendees. In addition to sustainability, we also continued our focus on making a positive impact in our host cities – this year Atlanta. We partnered with Science ATL, a nonprofit focused on science outreach, donating $15,000, as well as donating $5,000 to the Red Cross of Florida in support of those impacted by the hurricanes.
Altera Hosting | Our Ascent to a Greener Operation
Harris’ Altera group continues to make strides in reducing their greenhouse gases by transitioning clients to Altera Hosting on Microsoft Azure. Over the past several years, they have migrated 47 clients from private, large-scale data centers to the Microsoft Azure public cloud.
Harris’ ACE Business Commits to Sustainability
Harris’ ACE business partnered with a third-party organization to complete a comprehensive carbon assessment. With insights into their emissions, the business is now focused on reducing key emission sources and plans to offset its carbon footprint this year through tree planting, eco-friendly initiatives, and clean water projects.
The business combined their focus on emission reduction with an added focus on sustainable lifestyles through several initiatives which invited our employees to better understand their environmental impact and provide ways to make a difference.
Volaris Forms a Carbon Reduction Committee
Our Volaris SSP BU recently formed a Carbon Reduction Committee in an effort to reduce their environmental footprint, enhance community engagement and support their governance practices. One of their first actions was to engage with a third-party energy consultancy to benefit from their experience and utilize their expertise in measuring and setting go-forward objectives. The plans coming out of this engagement are to implement LED projects, using lights on timers, switching off equipment and moving to green energy providers; supporting flexible and remote work arrangements; reducing reliance on physical infrastructure by moving to cloud-based solutions; facilitating meetings and trainings via virtual tools; reducing waste and maximizing recycling efforts; and reducing the use of plastics in their offices.
Global Public Safety’s Environmental Support Initiative
Our colleagues at Global worked with Trout Unlimited to improve, preserve and rehabilitate watersheds in Minnesota. The team raised funds, donated time and delivered trout eggs to classrooms across the state of Minnesota.
Earth Day Awareness Session: Reducing Plastic for a Healthier Planet
Our Contour Software group observed International Earth Day with a collaborative session alongside the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) centered on "Plastic vs Planet." The event underscored the urgent need to address plastic pollution's detrimental impact on our environment and health. Employees gained insights into plastic waste management, from its lifecycle to sustainable solutions. Practical tips were shared to foster a more environmentally conscious workforce. This initiative aligns with our commitment to sustainability and a healthier planet.
Jonas | Planting Seeds for a Greener Tomorrow
Our Jonas Corporate team recently took part in the "10,000 Trees for the Rouge" event, aimed at enhancing the environmental health and biodiversity of the Rouge National Urban Park. Our Jonas team worked alongside more than 700 community volunteers, planted a variety of native tree species. The event was a huge success, with over 5,000 trees planted.
Litter Picking for World Earth Day
Our SSP BU stepped up in support of a greener, more eco-friendly community, with team members volunteering to clean up the area surrounding their offices. The result was filling more than 25 bags with litter.
Volaris SPARK TSL Strives to Create a More Sustainable Organization
Our Volaris SPARK TSL BU in their efforts to create a more sustainable organization have received accreditation for ISO 14001: Environmental Management System. Thanks to the efforts of their three Environmental Champions, this in combination with their existing ISO 9001 and 27001 accreditations is another step on their journey to building a more sustainable organization, including their supply chain.
Jonas’ Motion Software Takes Part in Tree Planting Initiative
Our Jonas Motion Software BU pledged to plant one tree for every 5,000 reports generated using its innovative inspection software, Motion Kinetic.
Volaris | Recycling & Supporting Our Communities
Our Volaris Covenir BU is working with a Happy Hour Service Center (HCAEC) to support both its recycling efforts related to corrugated boxes and envelopes as well as engaging with their community. HCAEC is a non-profit organization that provides services to individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as supporting their families. In 2023, we estimate that over 17,000 LBS of material were collected for HCAEC to process and sell at their recycling center.
Volaris | Reducing Our Carbon Footprint through Sustainable Travel
One of our Volaris portfolios significantly reduced its carbon footprint during a recent Portfolio Organic Growth Summit event – including pledging meal donations to Feeding America for each room occupied, partnering to have 565 trees planted as well as purchasing carbon offset credits.
Renewable Energy’s Role in Curbing Global Warming
Our Volaris-owned ConWX business unit provides software that forecasts weather patterns and provides decision support to the renewable energy vertical – specifically wind and solar. Jesper Thiesen, the co-founder and General Manager, closely follows data and reports released by IPCC, the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, to ensure we continue to support our customers. The volatility and unpredictability of wind and solar energy sources are creating opportunities to invest in and investigate P2X (electricity storage and conversion) technologies to be able to store power for low-production days as well as convert surplus production to other energy sources.
Electrification of Public Transportation
Most policy experts, including those at the World Bank, see investment in public transport as a viable option for cities to resolve air pollution problems in rapidly growing cities. Technology has a significant role to play, as well as investments in infrastructure that allow transit operators to support vehicle charging. Dominique Mueller, a product manager within our Volaris-Modaxo Group works with our transit operator customers in support of their efforts to meet their emissions targets. Modaxo’s software solutions help transit operators address two key challenges of electric buses: (1) limited range; and (2) the need for charging.
Agency Software | Saving Trees One Invoice at a Time
In Q4 of 2023, Harris’ Agency Software, transitioned from paper-based invoicing to electronic delivery, resulting in a reduction of approximately 6,000 mailed letters annually. The BU is also moving to have its customers pay invoices electronically via ACH or credit card as opposed to mailing in paper checks.
