EDS to cut emissions by 1000 tonnes

A technology services group will implement a program to cut its greenhouse gas emissions.

EDS is aiming to cut carbon emissions in Australia and New Zealand with a program that will affect most areas of its business.

EDS Australia managing director, Chris Mitchell said that EDS in Australia and New Zealand is aggressively targeting a reduction in carbon use by 25% within the next three years and will be working with three energy management experts to achieve this goal.

The program will look at mechanisms to address employee carbon usage, develop internal initiatives to increase productivity and efficiency while reducing the company's ecological footprint and further developing a set of service offerings to allow customers to reduce their impact on the environment.

Energetics will baseline and monitor the emissions in both countries and CO2 Australia will be Australia's carbon offset credit partner. A similar carbon offset credit provider will be appointed in New Zealand.

The company will reduce domestic air travel as a carbon-saving measure. A sophisticated video conferencing system will be installed at nine sites in Australia and New Zealand, potentially cutting air travel by 20-30%.

"When you consider that EDS personnel take thousands of flights between the two countries every year, and that doesn't include trips to other parts of the world, the carbon savings are significant," Mitchell said.

"Our estimates are greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by approximately 1000 tonnes every year."