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The leading technology trade organisation aims to cut its emissions in half by 2030

techUK, the leading technology trade association, has confirmed it has joined the climate campaign Race to Zero.

Race to Zero is a global campaign to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions and investors for a healthy, resilient and zero carbon recovery. The campaigns aims to build momentum around the shift to a decarbonized economy ahead of COP26.

techUK has signed up to the SME Race to Zero track via the SME Climate Hub. This means that techUK will take immediate action to half its emissions by 2030, achieve net zero before 2050 and disclose its progress on a yearly basis.

Over the coming months, techUK will be working with Utility Team to measure its greenhouse gases, set a clear strategy for reducing them, and begin to take concrete actions. Ambition in the speed of reaching net zero level will be reviewed following completion of these steps.

CEO of techUK Julian David said:

“We are proud to be one of the first trade associations in the UK to be committing to climate action, joining many of our members who are taking world-leading action on the climate crisis.

“We believe digitalisation is an essential enabler for a decarbonised world but recognise also that the tech sector itself has a carbon impact. We all have a responsibility to take action on these impacts and we are encouraging all our members to join us in setting net-zero targets.

“We recognise the challenges that this may present for particularly our smallest members, which is why we are launching new guidance for our SME members on the steps they can take to come on this journey with us. We will be running a programme of events through the year to provide additional support and share best practice.”

Nigel Topping, UK High Level Climate Champion for COP26, said: 

“The Race to Zero is on. The tech sector has a crucial role in driving climate action. Not only will digital solutions be needed by every sector as it decarbonises but equally every tech organisation, large and small, has a responsibility to become part of the solution by committing to climate action. I hope TechUK’s leadership will see more of its members signing up to the Race to Zero in the months ahead.”

CEO of Utility Team Delvin Lane said:

“We are delighted to be supporting techUK on their Race to Zero journey and their commitment to halve their carbon emissions by 2030. It is fantastic to see such a prominent trade association joining the global campaign to achieve net zero. Using the future Net Zero Standard, of which we are founding members, we will help them benchmark their carbon emissions and develop a roadmap for reducing them.

“As one of the UK’s leading energy consultancies, we are uniquely positioned to help both techUK and their members significantly reduce the amount of carbon they put into the atmosphere. As well as our green energy procurement expertise we will support in the delivery and financing of energy efficiency and renewable technologies. Having committed to being net zero by 2025, we are excited to help other businesses reach their net zero goals.”

The SME Climate Hub’s SME Climate Commitment is an initiative of the International Chamber of Commerce, the Exponential Roadmap Initiative, the We Mean Business coalition and the United Nations Race to Zero campaign. It is a global initiative that aims to create a tipping point for mainstreaming climate action and building business resilience.