ESG
We ‘do the right thing’
by ‘doing things right’
We have carefully selected 7 specific UN Global Goals to be the initial focus of our sustainability initiatives. Each of these is closely aligned to our purpose, and represents an area where we can have authentic and meaningful impact, given the nature of our business and where we operate.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Everybody at QBS recognises the benefits of developing the business in an environmentally responsible and friendly manner. QBS is committed to the prevention of pollution and the protection of the environment and recognises that this is in the best interests of the organisation, its employees and stakeholders, and that it contributes to a better quality of life, now and for future generations. QBS opposes waste of natural resources and makes every effort to conserve resources. It places high value on encouraging the industry to operate in an environmentally friendly manner.
CARBON NEUTRAL CERTIFIED
In June 2021, we were independently verified as carbon neutral through our own operations and also our partner, publisher and employee ecosystem. We have accurately defined our organisational footprint, agreed our boundaries and met all three scopes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with environmental integrity. We are both pleased and proud to work with the external party, Planet Mark, as our audit and verification partner.
ISO14001 CERTIFIED SINCE 2019
Our QBS Environmental Management System (QEMS) was certified and verified according to BS EN ISO14001:2004 in May 2019 – Certificate No: GBEF1009.
Since then we have developed and articulated our unique set of environmental policies, and linked these to best practices in order to proactively monitor our adherence to policy. Finally our model is to demonstrate ongoing improvement of the standards.
STATUTORY REPORTING ON GHG EMISSIONS
We have voluntarily provided environmental disclosure in our annual company audited accounts in compliance with Section 172 (1) (a) to (f) of the Companies Act 2006 since 2020.
From FY22 we will publicly disclose our footprint and progress on our energy use and carbon emissions reduction in compliance with SECR in our annual accounts. Although we are far too small for TCFD – Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure, we will aim to comply with the standard where applicable.
PLEDGE TO NET ZERO
On April 22nd 2021, World Earth Day, our Group CEO formally signed our official Pledge to Net Zero in conjunction with IEMA/SocEnv/EIC/WSP/AECOM. Pledge to Net Zero was launched in late 2019 and is partnered with the UN’s official global-backed campaign, ‘Race to Zero’. It requires signatories to commit to deliver a greenhouse gas target in line with either a 1.5°C climate change scenario, or well below 2ºC.
AWAITING CERTIFICATION AS A B CORPORATION
The QBS team has applied to become a certified B corporation and is awaiting certification. We aim to achieve over 100 points (25% more than the baseline assessment).
Certifying as a B Corporation goes beyond a product or service certification. It is the only certification that measures a company’s entire social and environmental performance. From supply chain and input materials to charitable giving and employee benefits, B Corp Certification proves a business is meeting the highest standards of verified performance.
CRN SUSTAINABLE DISTRIBUTOR OF THE YEAR
QBS has been recognised as a channel champion once again in the global fight against environmental destruction — taking the Sustainable Distributor of the Year / Service Provider of the Year titles at the CRN Tech Impact Awards.
Dave Stevinson, CEO of QBS Group, said: “This is a real recognition for the whole group and their tireless efforts to drive our carbon footprint lower by following our purpose of doing what’s right for our people, planet and prosperity.”
EMPOWERING TECH TO GO GREEN
We support the tech community in becoming carbon neutral through collaboration with the industry’s leading sustainability movement of IT and tech orientated companies and sharing practical know-how.
QBS proactively works with the membership helping them on their decarbonisation journey and encouraging them to be climate positive.
SUPPORTING TERRA CARTA
QBS is pleased to support Terra Carta on their Sustainable Markets Initiative. The Terra Carta, led by HRH The Prince of Wales, provides a roadmap to 2030 for businesses to move towards an ambitious and sustainable future; one that will harness the power of Nature combined with the transformative power, innovation and resources of the private sector.
“QBS is pleased to support Terra Carta on their Sustainable Markets Initiative” Therese Stevinson, Group Sustainability & Diversity Officer.
OFFSETTING EMPLOYEE HOMEWORKING EMISSIONS
As remote working has shifted carbon from our offices to our employees’ homes, QBS has offset its employee homeworking emissions for 2021. We have chosen our offsets from ClimateCare, a certified B Corporation, which is dedicated to tackling climate change and improving lives.
These offsets are a specially selected mix from projects that have additional health, social and economic benefits as well as carbon reduction.
SOCIAL
Engaging with and investing in our local communities is critically important to QBS. The intended purpose of company donations is to achieve positive social, environmental and community impact, with a strategic bias towards the support of emerging sports and wellbeing.
PHILANTHROPY STATEMENT
The intended purpose of company donations is to achieve positive social, environmental and community impact, with a strategic bias towards the support of emerging sports and wellbeing.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Engaging with and investing in our local communities is critically important to QBS. With seven physical offices and a good proportion of remote workers, we are pleased to have recently supported over ten community initiatives ranging from volunteering to feed the homeless in Paris, supporting a bake-off for a Cork-based breast cancer charity, sponsoring the Great Britain real tennis U21 team and funding the team shirts of a Munich-based basketball team.
SPONSORING EMERGING SPORTS
QBS has proudly sponsored the 49th Manchester Gold Racquet tournament. We have a strong commitment to ESG, and supporting society (as one of our 5 stakeholders) is core to our purpose.
Our history in sponsorship goes back many years to the late eighties when we were starting out in the fledgling technology business and articulating the value of software, and has encompassed sports including football, basketball, tennis and cricket.
SPONSORING CHANNEL INITIATIVES
QBS has proudly sponsored the CRN Channel Leadership Forum 2022. This forum deliberates topics that QBS is strongly committed to, such as top technology and service trends, diversity & inclusion, sustainability, mental health, and wellbeing.
We support channel initiatives that are aligned with our ESG strategy and help the channel evolve and have a positive impact on the community and the environment.
GOVERNANCE
QBS believes in strong governance and this is set by the group board comprising of a balance of executive and non-executive directors.
OUR POLICIES
The board of directors determines the processes for decision making, accountability, control and behaviour. A lot of time, effort and expense has been applied to ensure the governance in QBS is of a similar standard to a small/mid -cap listed company.
2021-2022 ESG KPIS
QBS uses KPIs that act as a compass to ensure moving in the right direction to meet our ESG promises.
2021-2022 KPIS
- Hold net carbon neutral status with gold standard verification – Achieved 06/21
- Achieve B Corp certification with an exemplary score – Application submitted 12/21
- 100% of all staff to be formally trained on sustainability by a leading consultant
- 70% of NFR suppliers to be local businesses, within 50 miles of the office
- 100% of stationery supplies to be made from recycled materials or with low environmental impact
100% renewable energy to be used in all core offices, plus lobby landlords at others - Cut our group carbon impact (inclusive of homeworking) by 10% in absolute terms.
- Continually Improve staff satisfaction and engagement
- 5% of CEOs time to support young entrepreneurs, industry sustainability and emerging sport
“Good governance connects our day to day business issues with our purpose.
As the Board implements this policy consistently, we will influence behaviour right through the group, and this in turn will become apparent to all of our stakeholders.”
Dave Stevinson CEO
QBS Technology Group
“In today’s corporate world, the ability to collaborate with people from diverse values and cultures is extremely important. Inclusion and community engagement is a vital part of our internal culture.”
Anita Bitard Non Executive Director
QBS Technology Group
“Climate risk is more than a regulatory issue at QBS – it is recognised at board level and sustainability is hardwired into our business model and thus the strategy of the entire organisation.”
Therese Stevinson Group Sustainability & Diversity Officer
QBS Technology Group
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