Infometis' sustainability team consists of two employees, Maximilian Matthäus and Nishan Portoyan. Maximilian Matthäus discusses current developments in an interview.
Infometis is becoming sustainable, but what exactly does that mean?
Our guiding principle is: "We act responsibly towards society and the environment."
When we hear the word sustainability, we often think of ecology, but there are two other pillars of sustainability: the economy and society. Infometis strives to operate sustainably in all three pillars. We have further subdivided each of these three pillars into three thematic areas where we see the greatest potential for Infometis. We then determined our current position in these nine thematic areas and where we want to be in the next five years. From this, we derived concrete measures. Ultimately, all measures aim to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals .
What are these nine subject areas?
In terms of ecology, these are: energy, mobility, and resources. In terms of economics: sustainable investments, high-quality work results, and transparency. And in terms of the social pillar, it's about the responsible selection of customers and partners, and last but not least, Infometis itself treating its employees responsibly as an employer.
Let's go into detail: where do you stand in terms of resources and where do you want to go?
In this context, we understand "resources" to mean our work equipment. Infometis' primary resources are, of course, its employees, which will be the subject of a separate blog post.
We believe in personal responsibility when it comes to our computers and smartphones . All employees receive an annual credit towards their work equipment budget. This encourages everyone to take care of their devices and carefully consider how they spend their budget.
From 2023 onwards, orders will be processed centrally through a designated contact person within Infometis. This person will also offer consultation. Customers can inquire about when a warranty extension makes sense, which devices are easiest to repair in case of a defect to ensure a long lifespan, or which devices have been manufactured in the most environmentally friendly way. We now also consistently offset the ecological footprint of the device at the point of purchase.
Old, functional devices are donated or passed on within the family.
In doing so, we are participating in the Sustainable Development Goals numbered "12: Responsible Consumption and Production" and "13: Climate Action".
Does this mean the goal for the topic of resources has been achieved?
Not yet. We are increasingly focusing on repairing existing equipment rather than replacing it. When making new purchases, we also prioritize durability.
How are the employees reacting to this change?
Positive. The consultation service is particularly valued and has been requested by some employees in the past.
Are these measures also ecologically measurable?
Yes. The production of any device will always have an environmental impact, so we should generally use devices for as long as possible. Exceptions exist for very old devices that consume a lot of energy and for which significantly more efficient devices are available (for example, a 25-year-old refrigerator). The production of a laptop or monitor can exceed 500 kg CO₂equivalent. For a typical mobile phone, the environmental impact is around 100-150 kg CO₂equivalent. Sourcing the resources for these devices is also often problematic.
Can you give an outlook on the topic of investments?
A company can exert influence through investments. Infometis has the greatest leverage in choosing how pension fund assets are invested. You can learn more about this in the next blog post.
