our company and all our products are carbon neutral

Our Commitment to Decarbonization

cloud and water

We are proud that Velocity Smart Technology is carbon neutral – and so are our products.

As a company we have always challenged ourselves to do more for the world we live in and the future we leave for our children.

Which is why in December 2020 we signed up to a Net Zero target to contribute to limit the Global Warming of the planet to 1.5 °C by 2035.

 In our first step towards this goal we are proud that Velocity Smart Technology is now carbon neutral – and so are our products. In fact we have Carbon Offset all Carbon Emissions we have created as a company since we first formed in 2018.

 This is a world first for a Smart Locker business and an important step for our industry as a whole – manufacturing and shipping our devices around the world shouldn’t have a detrimental effect on our planet.

 

How does that work exactly

What are carbon neutral products?

The short video from our Decarbonization partner Climate Partner explains what Carbon Neutral products are.

Our approach to decarbonization

We are now working in partnership with the Decarbonization consultancy Climate Partner to continuously measure our Carbon Emissions and implement an ambitious plan for carbon reduction and carbon-offset. 

1. Calculation of our greenhouse gas emissions

Together with ClimatePartner, we have measured the carbon emissions of our company and calculated our Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF) from 2018 when we formed the company to 2021, including a forecast for all the devices we are planning to sell in 2022.

emissions-graphic

 

2. Avoiding and reducing

Where possible, we avoid and reduce our carbon emissions. To meet our Net Zero commitment we are now working with our partners on our Carbon Reduction plan​:

  • We are working with our supply chain to improve our data management and access to primary carbon emissions data (on products, raw materials and their sourcing)​
  • Reducing steel emissions by encouraging our supplies to switch to recycled steel and reducing the volume of steel within each locker​
  • Working with our suppliers reducing virgin aluminium volume in the lockers​
  • Limiting air travel where possible​
  • Encouraging our clients to avoid Air Freight – this is the single biggest aspect of our historic Carbon Emissions​
  • Working with our supply chain to encourage them to switch to green electricity​ and green vehicles

 We update our Corporate Carbon Footprint after each fiscal year and we commit to publish an overview of the success of our policies.

3. Carbon offset through a certified project

We offset all unavoidable emissions by supporting a carbon offset project; thereby making us a carbon neutral company with carbon neutral products. Carbon offset projects compensate for unavoidable carbon emissions, for example through afforestation projects or the replacement of harmful technologies with climate-friendly alternatives.

All our Carbon Offset Projects are certified independently and meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

                                    Find out more about UN Sustainability Goals

You can find more information on our carbon offset projects here.

4. The label “Carbon Neutral”

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 We mark our products with the independent certified label "carbon neutral" and by simply scanning the Climate Partner Carbon Neutral Product QR Code our customers can understand the carbon neutrality of the product and also learn more about the carbon offset project. In this way, we contribute to the carbon neutrality of our company and our products with full transparency.

Find out more about UN Sustainability Goals

 

hydropower, virunga, dr congo

Our carbon offset project

To offset our carbon emissions, we support a carbon offset project certified according to international standards.

jungle

Why did we choose this project?

Virunga’s waters are both a source of life and energy. Rivers and streams within the National Park nurture unique plants and animals, such as the world’s last remaining wild mountain gorillas. Africa's oldest national park on the eastern border of the Democratic Republic of Congo has the greatest biodiversity of the entire continent. The currents of the Rutshuru River are used to generate sustainable energy through the small Matebe run-of-river power plant.

With a capacity of 13 megawatts, the plant generates clean electricity for households and small businesses giving about four million inhabitants access to electricity for the first time. Street lighting provides more safety after dusk and new businesses create jobs, while the generated electricity provides local residents with an alternative to expensive kerosene and to the charcoal trade. These measures additionally protect the forests of the national park. With responsible economic development, our project contributes to more stability and peace in the region.

We chose the Hydropower project at Virunga because we felt it was an amazing initiative which not only contributed to reducing the use of fossil fuels, but also helped the community and the local wildlife– everything we care about.

Anthony Lamoureux CEO

scenery

How does hydropower help fight global warming?

Since hydropower is created without burning fossil fuels, it is considered emission-free. The growth of renewable energy production is essential to limiting global warming and securing energy supplies for the future. The amount of emissions saved by a hydropower project is calculated using the baseline method: how much CO2 would be released by generating the same amount of energy using standard energy production methods for the region?