Watershed > Case Studies > Kainos's Ambitious Climate Action: A Case Study in IoT and Sustainability

Kainos's Ambitious Climate Action: A Case Study in IoT and Sustainability

Applicable Industries

Cement
Cities & Municipalities

Use Cases

Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems
Regulatory Compliance Monitoring

About The Customer

Kainos is a leading digital services and platforms company that has been in operation for over three decades. Their mission is to use the latest technology to make the world a better place. They are a trusted partner for public sector organisations like the UK government and the NHS, as well as for brands like Netflix and John Lewis. Kainos's approach is to find the best people, provide them with the resources they need to grow, and then harness their talent to design and build solutions that help clients deliver better digital experiences.

The Challenge

Kainos, a trusted partner for public sector organisations and brands, had initiated a climate action plan driven by employee interest and inquiries from customers and investors. However, they faced several challenges. They lacked visibility into how their carbon footprint was calculated and didn't know which actions would lead to significant reductions quickly. They were also aware that indirect 'Scope 3' emissions from suppliers often accounted for 90% or more of a software company's total emissions, but they didn't know which vendors to focus on. Additionally, they were unsatisfied with merely offsetting emissions and wanted to set an ambitious reduction plan that would keep global temperatures within the +1.5° C safe zone. In 2021, they were asked to provide a full carbon reduction plan with a pathway to net zero emissions in just sixty days, a task that would have been daunting without a clear plan.

The Solution

To address these challenges, Kainos partnered with Watershed, an organization that helps companies reduce their carbon footprints. With Watershed's help, Kainos developed an ambitious net zero plan with a target date of 2025, five years ahead of the gold standard. They began taking significant action on office retrofitting and sourcing clean power, with a goal of using 100% renewables. They also gained new data insights into their carbon emissions, which helped them pass the first screening phase with the Science Based Targets initiative, the strongest validation body in the industry. Kainos also identified the largest sources of carbon in their value chain and developed innovative tools to understand the carbon implications of their digital solutions. They are now working to support their customers in prioritizing their own emission reduction action plans.

Operational Impact

Kainos's ambitious climate action plan has yielded unexpected benefits. They have had opportunities to collaborate with other forward-thinking companies and have been able to easily comply with new regulatory and disclosure requirements. Their work with Watershed has given them a clear understanding of their carbon footprint and a concrete plan for reduction. They have also been able to identify the largest sources of carbon in their value chain and are working on getting their vendors to adopt net zero plans. This not only benefits Kainos but also every other company using those vendors. Despite the challenges ahead, Kainos is well-positioned to make significant strides in their climate action efforts.

Quantitative Benefit

Kainos developed a net zero plan with a target date of 2025, five years ahead of the gold standard.
Kainos is well on their way to sourcing 100% renewable energy for their offices.
Kainos's top 10 vendors, which account for half their emissions, are now potential targets for emission reduction, potentially leading to massive reductions.