The issue we want to solve

Most greenhouse gas emissions associated with an IT product occur before it reaches its first user. Scope 3 emissions, which include material sourcing, production and shipping, typically account for around 80 percent of total emissions. Therefore, merely improving product energy efficiency is not enough — to effectively reduce the climate impact of IT products, scope 3 emissions must be brought down.

How the criterion works

IT brands must take concrete, measurable actions to reduce scope 3 emissions connected to the certified IT products they produce. To speed up the pace of change, we collect verified best practice activities and share with other brands, along with instructions for how to implement them. Gradually, the reduction requirements will get stricter to ensure that the climate impact of certified IT products is minimized.

Benefits for IT buyers and users

Sourcing certified IT products lowers overall emissions from the IT products you buy and use. You also drive IT brands to develop and invest in carbon-reducing activities that go beyond industry standards and are independently verified to be impactful.